Dennis Abernathy

In Luke 12; 15 Jesus said: “Take heed and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.” He then told them the parable of the rich fool to explain why (Lk. 12: 16-23). There is no indication that the farmer’s wealth was ill-gotten. This story or parable is not about fraud. It’s about foolishness! The farmer who had been so skillful in managing his farm turned out to be a fool at managing his life.

This farmer was arrogant, self-centered and egotistical. Notice his speech and you will find six I’s, five My’s, and four I will’s. You can almost hear him saying: “My barns, My corn, My goods, and My soul.” God who had supplied them all was not even in his thoughts. There is not one uttered word of thanks to God who gives “us from heaven rain and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14: 17), “life, breath, and all things” (Acts 17: 25). His life was self-ruled by me, myself, and I and it was as though he alone had achieved all this. He thought only of himself. He thought “I’ve got it made! He felt he could take his ease, be happy and retire with security: “Who needs God or anybody else?”

Sadly, this rich fool, in his shortsightedness, never thought of his mortality. He said, “I have many goods laid up for many years, take thine ease, eat, drink and be merry” (v. 19). He thought he had many years, but God said he didn’t have even one more day! There is no greater inexcusable folly than to plan life without consideration of death and to build life which death will certainly take away. There are no pockets in a shroud! The only thing that will survive death is a secure relationship with God.

While this rich farmer had nothing to say to God, God had plenty to say to him and condemned him for at least three mistakes. (1) He mistook the purpose of his life, imagining it consisted in the abundance of his material possessions. (2) He mistook the right use of his worldly means. (3) He neglected the future. He preferred riches he could see and handle to the unseen and eternal treasures laid up in heaven! In order to achieve these riches we must seek God first (Matt. 6: 33) and not “set our affections (minds) on things of this earth” (Col. 3: 1)

This rich fool was satisfied with his lot in life, but God was not satisfied with him! Is He satisfied with your life? Think on these things.