Introduction
Turn to Luke 12.
Thirteen Jesus stories in thirteen weeks, and today we come to story number thirteen! Commonly called The Parable of the Rich Fool, I’m calling my message: How to BE Rich.
Now, hang with me for a few minutes. You are not about to hear a health, wealth, and prosperity gospel message. I’m not Joel Osteen, Kenneth Copeland, or T.D. Jakes. Here at First Baptist, we stand for the true gospel and biblical Christianity.
No question, we have come to a Jesus story and a parable today that has one clear focus: How to BE rich. Do you want to know how to BE rich? Let’s read the Bible passage.
Scripture
Luke 12:13 | Someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” (CSB)
Luke 12:14 | “Friend,” he said to him, “who appointed me a judge or arbitrator over you?” (CSB)
Luke 12:15 | He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.” (CSB)
Jesus is responding to a question about a family squabble over money and wealth. He warns his hearers against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.
Greed is an attitude. Anyone can be filled with greed. You can be rich and greedy. You can be poor and greedy. Greed reflects an excessive and consuming desire to have more possessions or wealth.
Jesus defines it best in this verse: Greed is the attitude of thinking that life finds value and security in the abundance of possessions.
What’s interesting about greed is that no one thinks it’s a problem they face. People will admit to struggling with lust, lying, laziness, and pride. But no one admits they struggle with greed. It’s a sneaky, dangerous sin.
Greed will rob you of joy, peace, and contentment, rip apart your family, pervert your priorities, and separate you from God.
What separated Adam and Eve from the Lord? They had been given so much and blessed mightily, but all they could focus on was the one thing they didn’t have. Their greediness made them foolish, sinful, and separated.
Now, Jesus tells a story to help us understand the dangers of greed.
Luke 12:16 | Then he told them a parable: “A rich man’s land was very productive.” (CSB)
This is a simple story. A rich man, a farmer, had a really good year. Is there anything wrong with being wealthy or having a good year? No. Wealth is never condemned in Scripture.
In fact, there are stories of God making people wealthy and stories of faithful servants of God suffering in poverty. God gives many people the resources, intellect, abilities, and opportunities to gain wealth.
Deuteronomy 8:18 | But remember that the Lord your God gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm his covenant he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. (CSB)
1 Timothy 6:17 | Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. (CSB)
What will the wealthy man in Jesus’s story do after a productive harvest?
Luke 12:17 | He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops?’ (CSB)
He thought to himself. He had a conversation with himself.
Luke 12:18 | “I will do this,” he said. “I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there.” (CSB)
Who is he talking to here? Still to himself. This decision seems logical—protecting assets, building reserves, and preparing for the future. But there’s a flaw.
Luke 12:19 | “Then I’ll say to myself, ‘You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.’ ” (CSB)
Look at his attitude, values, and confidence. This man assumed life was about self-satisfaction and ease.
Luke 12:20 | “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’ ” (CSB)
Here’s the twist. The man dies unexpectedly and stands in judgment before God. God calls him a fool.
Luke 12:21 | “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” (CSB)
Jesus wraps it up with two options: Rich toward self or rich toward God. Every Christian should wrestle with this: Am I rich toward self or rich toward God?
How To BE Rich
- Thank the Lord for your wealth. The rich man never thanked the Lord for his blessings. Start with gratitude for what God has provided.
- Love the Lord and people more than wealth and security. The Bible doesn’t condemn money but warns against the love of it. Your love for the Lord should be evident in your priorities.
- Keep your eyes focused on eternity. The rich man’s mistake wasn’t wealth but assuming life wouldn’t change. Live with eternity in view.
- Seek God’s wisdom for how to steward your resources. The rich man only consulted himself. Seek God through prayer and Scripture for guidance.
- Measure wealth in kingdom currency. Worldly and kingdom currencies value different things. Invest in ministry, missions, and love for others.
- Be extraordinarily generous. Recognize Jesus’s generosity in salvation and practice private, extraordinary generosity. This loosens greed’s grip and brings peace.
Conclusion
The tragedy wasn’t that the rich man died or lost his money—it’s that his wealth didn’t bring him closer to God. What will be the story of our lives?
