The Rich Fool

Greetings…

There are several things we find in this parable wherein the rich man makes spiritual mistakes that cost him salvation.

Today, we are going to look at those so as to learn from them.

Luke 12:16–18 ESV

16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.

Luke 12:19–21 ESV

19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

So with that in mind let’s look at our lesson for this afternoon.

He Mistook The Value Of Life

He Thought It Was To Be Rich On Earth

The rich man thought it was to be rich here on earth.

Luke 9:25 ESV

25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

Summary

…

He Mistook The Purpose Of Abundance

He Thought It Was For Tomorrow

The rich man thought it was to store it up for tomorrow or a rainy day.

Ephesians 4:28 ESV

28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

Summary

…

He Mistook The Way To Happiness

He Thought Happiness Was Found Loving The World

The rich man thought happiness could be found in loving this world and satisfaction in the things of the flesh.

John 15:11 ESV

11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Summary

…

He Mistook His Length Of Life

He Thought He Was Going To Live A Long Time

The rich man thought he was going to live a long time here on this earth, but that was not the case.

James 4:14 ESV

14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

Summary

…

Conclusion

…

Luke 12:21 ESV

21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.

Invitation

Isaiah 59:1–2 ESV

1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

Philippians 2:6–7 ESV

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.