KINGDOM LESSONS FROM THE PARABLE OF THE RICH FOOL

Bible Text: Luke 12:13-21 

Jesus was addressing a large crowd including his disciples. Someone from the audience said "Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me". Rabbis in the Jewish culture during this period had the prerogative to mediate quarrels of this sort. To this man disappointment, Jesus replied; He wasn’t a judge to preside over such affairs. These led to the parable of the rich fool. It communicates the need to beware of greed. And how that a man's life doesn't consist in the abundance of his possessions. A certain rich man had a bountiful harvest that exceeded the storage capacity of his warehouse. He thought within himself to demolish his warehouse and build a massive one. He afterwards presumed that there was more than enough for years to come. Moreover, all that was left for him now is to enjoy all he worked to acquire. Shockingly, God declared demand for his soul that very night. In addition, all he had laboriously worked for who will inherit them? Jesus ended this parable saying in Luke 12:21 (KJV), “So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

 

What does it mean to be rich towards God? 

• It principally means having an organic relationship with God the Father of glory. The parable gives no account of the rich man communing with God or giving glory to Him. In Luke 12:19 (KJV), “And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” Every of his conversation was self centered. The rich man forgot he couldn't control the dew, rain and sunshine amidst many other factors that aided the growth of his harvest. He forgot God was in charge of these factors in his success story. And this led to his demise. To guard against this, God gave a stern warning to his Children in Deuteronomy 8:12-14. To be rich towards God means to know God all time either, in the face of success or failure. Having a rich relationship with God connotes knowing God. Which means having eternal life according to John 17:3 (KJV), And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

 • To be rich towards God unequivocally also means exercising compassion towards others particularly, the poor. The rich man gave it no thought to reach out to his neighbors. John the Baptist came preaching about the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. He told his audience who asked him what was expected, of them in Luke 3:11 He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” Jesus further reiterates this upon his arrival. In the bible story popularly known as the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Jesus described how showing hospitality to others especially, those of the family of faith, means it is done unto Him. This is possible since our body is the temple of God. He now resides in everyone conceived of the Holy Spirit as the Holy Spirit was solely responsible for the birth of Jesus Christ. These good works include showing the act of kindness to the sick, hungry, prisoners and those without clothes, and the list goes on and on(Matthew 25:31-40).

 • One lesson the parable of the rich fool attempts to elucidate is how humans should be on their guard against the inordinate desire for wealth or gaining material possessions especially, another man's personal property. The man who came to ask Jesus to preside over their family affairs had a questionable motive, for he thought his life was measured; by the abundance of material possessions, he owned. He found satisfaction in the wealth of this world. 

• Jesus could discern that the appeal came from a heart permeated with greed. Jesus seemingly harsh response to him was for no other reason other than that his motive was wrong. 

Author’s message

 There is a security that comes with seeing a colossal amount of money in one’s bank account and having affluence. Likewise, there is a sort of unhappiness and insecurity associated with poverty and having no funds. The Scriptures explicitly says this. “For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it” (Ecclesiastes 7:12). 

The wrong picture: 

The devil, the arch-enemy of all human knows; all that a man own, he will give up to save his life. This conversation was between God and the devil (Job 2:4). The devil who lured man into rebellion against God knew this weakness about the natural man. The rich fool had so much for years to come. However, this great abundance couldn't deliver him from death. Affluence doesn't give life; wisdom does! Christ is made the wisdom of God unto us. Jesus gave a clear perceptive of how men should live in the kingdom. 

How men should seek God's kingdom? 

• Give out everything that competes with God’s position. Jesus often says to men who desire to live kingdom life, "sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (Matthew 19:16-21). Christ first instruction was that they sell out their earthly belongings. For He knew wherever a man's treasure is there, the heart will also be. Christ target was man's heart. He wants men who will serve him willingly and wholeheartedly. He aims to teach that God becomes the focus of our lives. When those who choose to follow Christ decides to give out to the poor, orphans, widows, needy, he affirms that such attitude means investing in a realm unseen to wit, heaven. Now the location of the treasure has changed from earth to heaven. Now we can begin to dwell on things above. Apostle Paul has this to say; “Set your mind on “things above, not on things on the earth”. (Col. 3:2). Jesus says “Come and follow me” upon obeying the preceding instructions. A lucid picture of how men seek God's kingdom.