The Parables of Jesus - The Rich Fool

What can we take with us when we leave this earth? What are the riches that truly remain — the riches that are eternal and cannot perish? This is what we are going to see now.

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Transcript

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Welcome to this new episode of the Gospel for the Nations podcast. This podcast has been brought to you by Pastor Kareem. Our desire is to open the Word of God with you and to speak in a way that is clear, simple, and full of grace. Wherever you are listening from, we pray that the Holy Spirit will touch your heart through his word, strengthen your faith, and draw you closer to Jesus.

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So this morning we continue the journey through the parables of Jesus. So we are now going to study the parable number 17. So the title of the parable today is named The Rich Full. It is in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 12, from verse 13 to 21. So if you need Bibles, we have some in the back. Hallelujah. Praise God. So today the parable we are studying concerns every one of us, of course. Why? Because it shows us the direction in which the world, its systems, and its values naturally lead people. It is through this way of thinking, through social and cultural values, that we are raised and taught. For example, the value placed on money, the desire to be financially stable, and even more specifically, the pursuit of personal and financial success often become the main concern of many people. And if even we don't say it, but we think about it and we act in this direction. Yet the Bible teaches that gathering holy processions should never become our main goal. Never. Going against the popular saying, money does not bring happiness, but it certainly contributes. Yes. Yes, money is necessary for all of us, but does it ultimately bring glory to man or to God? So how can we handle these financial realities in a way that is faithful to the Bible and pleasing to God? As people set apart by God and redeemed by the blood of Jesus, while also being a good testimony in this world, remaining thankful and joyful, and above all, giving all glory to our Heavenly Father for everything. So, how? This parable says it clearly. Placing his trust in his riches, his belongings, and in a form of self-sufficiency instead of considering first the faithfulness and providence of the kingdom of God, but also the needs of others. As we will see from this passage, such an attitude does not glorify God, but leads a man to live as though it were enough for himself, without truly depending on and trusting in the Lord. The condition of this man's heart will show us how we should view gain and material wealth in our daily lives without ever turning them into an idol. Temporary and earthly things enslave man. Yes? While the believer is called to depend first upon the providence of God, keeping his heart attached to heavenly things rather than earthly things. What can we take with us when we leave this earth? What? What are the riches that truly remain? The riches that are eternal and cannot perish. This is what we are going to see now. Amen. So let's read the context of this passage first. Verse 13 to 15. Someone in the crowd said to him, Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me. But he said to him, Man, who made me a judge and an arbitrator over you? And he said to them, Take care and be on your guards against all covetousness. For one's life does not consist in abundance of his possessions. This is not the parable yet. This is just to enter the context of the parable. In this first passage, we can see that a man asked Jesus a question while calling him teacher, recognizing his role as a teacher among the people during his earthly ministry. This man asked to intervene in a matter of inheritance between two brothers. Yet Jesus refuses to place himself as a civil judge or arbitrator in this situation. Jesus was not primarily there to establish an heartly political and social authority, but to reveal the kingdom of God and the condition of the human heart. His detachment from this situation gives him the opportunity to expose the problem of the man's heart, which was covetousness. The question of inheritance was very important at that time. Because in the Jewish tradition, the firstborn as a son received double portion of the inheritance. Deuteronomy 24 21, verse 17 says, But he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For he is the first fruit of his strength. The right of the firstborn is his. Amen. So this calls us to guard our hearts from the desire of the things of this world, which are temporary, limited, and deceptive, because no one knows what tomorrow may bring. Only God knows. Instead, we are called to remain attached to heavenly realities, the things that are eternal. For the only true assurance a child of God can have in this life is the eternal life given by God through the complete work of Jesus Christ and the regeneration of the Holy Spirit. I would add, we don't deserve anything. Thank you, Lord, for your grace. For if our hearts are attached to material things, then our lives we also become attached to them. Yes. But if we are detached from the world, the things that are in it, then we can fully attach ourselves to our God. Our God, the one who was, who is, and who is to come. So now let's read the parable, verse 16 to 19. And he told them a parable, saying, The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, What shall I do? For I have nowhere to store my crops. And he said, I will do this. I will tear down my barns and build a larger ones. And there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years. Relax, eat, drink, be merry. Amen. So in this parable, Jesus once again uses the example of a man of the land, apparently a rich farmer, in order to keep the situation clear and understandable for the ground. It is true that the man who owned land in this fertile region of Galilee could become rich and even very rich. Why? Because everything there was abundant. We can clearly see the picture described by Jesus: a man resting in himself, satisfied of what he has, whose soul now rejoices in the pleasures of this world. A temporary life centered on self-sufficiency, pride, and personal comfort. So this man was trying to find the best way to store all his harvest. The fruit of this land, which, although it has certainly been worked, prepared by him, but it was created by God. Was he giving glory to God? Everything the earth produces ultimately comes from God. For what can man truly produce by himself? Nothing. So he begins to make plans, projects, to store up his harvest because his barns have become too far small to contain everything. This makes us think about the time, the energy, and the effort we sometimes spend on our material possessions, our comfort, and all the things that cost us so much. But what is the true value of storing up treasure on this earth? When the soul is mentioned here, it expresses this inner thought. The man is thinking, what it expresses to myself, what I say to myself, what will be good for me according to my own desires and my own will. So now this man thinks he can finally relax, rest, food, drink, and finally the pleasures and enjoyments of his life. Isn't it beautiful? Wow. This man believes that he has reached the goal of his life. Wow. His barns are full. And now we can live however he wants. But where is God in all of this? In all his reasoning, there is no dependence upon God and no consideration for his will. However, since Jesus came to reveal the kingdom of God, this true abundance of life could only come from God through the work of Jesus Christ, saving souls and bringing spiritual and eternal riches and not simply earthly riches, which are temporary and fading away. So now let's read the application of the parable. But God said to him, Fool, this night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, who will they be? Whose will they be? The Greek word used here for fool is affron, which describes a person who lacks spiritual wisdom and lives without considering God and eternal realities. This word can also carry the idea of someone who is without true meaning or without understanding, according to God. Perhaps this man appeared wise and successful in the eyes of the world. Yes. But in the eyes of God, his way of living was empty of true spiritual meaning. Why? Because he placed his trust in material possessions rather than in God. This reminds us also of what Jesus said to his disciples concerning salvation. Mark 8, 36-37. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? But this question also calls the believer to consider eternal consequences of earthly pursuits, to give priority to spiritual things rather than temporary gain. The Bible calls us to live for eternal values, where material possessions are tools, instruments to serve the kingdom of God, rather than becoming a goal in themselves. God is blessing to bless his people, and his people have to bless each one of us altogether. This is the meaning of the blessing of God. When Jesus uses the expression your soul is required of you, it means that God has full control over every soul, every human being. Our lives are in God's hands. God gives and takes away, as the Bible says. But Jesus truly came to save the soul, to forgive sins, and to deliver people from the sins that separated them from the holy presence of God. Therefore, all those who place their faith in Him and turn away from their sins will receive eternal life with Christ. Whether a person is rich, poor, educated, or simple, God sees the heart and not only the outward appearance. Now the explanation of the parable. So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. This verse is very clear, and there is really nothing more to add concerning the main points being addressed. If this man continues storing up treasures only for himself, he will lose his soul. In this parable, Jesus is first of all speaking about a man whose heart is not regenerated, a man living without God, whose attachment to riches reveals the absence of a true relationship with God. This is not speaking about a believer saving. By grace, losing salvation, but a man attached to the world rather than to God. However, a true child of God who has generally been born again and saved by grace, attachment to these things of this world can still lead to spiritual drifting, a cold heart, and a distance in fellowship with God. Yes. Even though the salvation freely given in Jesus Christ is not lost, but we bear the consequences of our acts. If we live far from God, of course he will look and watch over us, but we will have the consequences. Jesus therefore wants here against a life centered on earthly riches rather than on God. Because where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. So, one question. So then, what are the true riches according to God? The first one is faith, the second one is good works. Good works are the confirmation of our faith. If we say that we love God, our deeds, our action, our work should be aligned. Fellowship with God, love our neighbor, truth, holiness, and the manifestation of spiritual fruits. In summary, being rich toward God is a call to align our lives with God's values, prioritizing spiritual riches over material gain. It involves stewardship, generosity, contentment, and eternal perspective, all of which are essential for a life that honors God and reflect his kingdom. We might ask, what if I store up treasures for others? If this is according to the will of God, praise God. But this is another matter here. The main issue is the condition of the heart. Simply storing our possessions does not necessarily make a person closer to God or more spiritually mature. I have God's blessing. This is called the prosperity gospel, which is not the gospel actually, because it's not a good news, it's a bad news. The greatest treasure this man could have stored up was to know God personally through Jesus Christ. For without him, no one can possess the infinite treasure of eternal life. The Bible tells us in John 17, verse 3, and this is eternal life. That they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. To be spiritually rich, pleasing to God, means first to know Him and love Him. Love His Word, love His commandments, love His kingdom. Serving. Amen. So to conclude this message, which I hope by the grace and the power of the Holy Spirit has touched your heart deeply. I would like to share one final passage from the first epistle of John. Concerning the relationship as a child of God, must have toward the world and the things that are in it. Yes, God created all things for us to enjoy with thanksgiving. But the greatest commandment must never become the least important thing in our lives. Do not love the world or other things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the father is not in him. For all this that is in the world, the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires. But whoever does the will of God abides forever. So today we are facing a major problem in some churches and movements where money is placed at the center stage, teaching that everyone can become rich, prosperous, and live in abundance of this world. In this way, the world has entered and influenced the church. The Bible never teaches that earthly prosperity is the goal, never, or proof of true spirituality in Christ. When Jesus sent his disciples to preach the good news of salvation, he told them to take nothing with them. Why? So that they would learn to walk by faith and see the glory of God revealed by Him, providing for all their needs. They gave room to God to manifest himself and to give him the glory. The rich man stores up, keeps, and lives for himself. But Christ emptied himself, gave himself, served others, and lived in perfect dependence upon the Father. Therefore, our trust must never be placed in earthly riches, but in the living God, the one who remains forever and who is fully sufficient for his people. Amen. So what can we learn and apply from this passage? The rich fool showed us that covetousness is sin. And Jesus teaches us that the wise are detached from the world. The rich fool showed us that self-sufficiency is sin. Jesus teaches us that the wise depend on God. The rich fool showed us that materialism enslaves the heart. Jesus teaches that the wise seek spiritual riches. And the rich fool showed us that trusting in possessions brings false security. Jesus teaches us that the wise trust in God's providence. Amen. Once again, it's just a question of believing. If we believe Jesus, if we believe God, if we believe the Bible, that we have to hold on these promises and let the Holy Spirit work in our lives. If we give him this in our life, how can God work in us? But if we surrender, we have this song today. I surrender. We surrender, it can work. Amen. Okay, let's pray, Heavenly Father, Almighty and Sovereign God. We thank you today for your word, for your grace that allows us to know you and to worship you in the spirit and the truth. We know that you are merciful and compassionate. We ask you to give us hearts that desire to follow you more than to rely upon you in our lives. We surrender to you, O God, every aspect of our lives, trusting you fully and walking by faith. Keep us upon the narrow path and continue to sanctify us, transform us into the likeness of Christ. We thank you for your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior and the head of this church. To you alone be all the glory and all the praise, for you loved us first and gave your beloved Son for us while we were still sinners in our translations. And we all pray in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Hallelujah.

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Thank you for listening today. If the Lord used this message to bless you, feel free to share it, so others can also be encouraged and strengthened for the coming days. Keep seeking Him, keep reading His Word, and keep trusting His grace every single day.