Sermon: Luke 12:13–21. The Parable of the Rich Fool

Introduction:
Today, we explore a lesson about life, wealth, and the true treasures that Christ calls us to seek. Our guide for this exploration is found in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 12, verses 13–21, a parable that Jesus told to a man who asked Him to intervene in a family inheritance dispute.

The Context:
To set the scene, someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Rather than taking a side or delving into the matter of their inheritance, Jesus responded with a cautionary tale — the Parable of the Rich Fool.

The Rich Fool:
The story unfolds with a wealthy man who had such a bountiful harvest that he didn’t know where to store all his crops. Instead of considering sharing or helping those in need, his first thought was to tear down his barns and build bigger ones. He said to himself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” However, God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”

The parable concludes with Jesus’ own words: “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Three Lessons from the Rich Fool:

Life is More Than Possessions:
While it’s not wrong to have wealth or possessions, it becomes problematic when they become the center of our lives. Jesus warns against all kinds of greed. Our lives do not consist of the abundance of our possessions but in the depth of our relationships, our character, and most importantly, our relationship with God.

The Uncertainty of Tomorrow:
The rich man’s plans revolved around his assumption of many years ahead. Yet, none of us truly knows how much time we have left. While it’s wise to plan for the future, it’s equally wise to live in the present, with gratitude, generosity, and an awareness of life’s fragility.

True Wealth is in Relationship with God:
The parable ends with a poignant question: What value are our earthly treasures if we’re not rich towards God? Material wealth can be fleeting, but a rich relationship with God is eternal. It’s the kind of wealth that feeds the soul, brings genuine joy, and has eternal significance.

Application:
Today, let’s ask ourselves:

What treasures are we storing up?
Are our barns filled only with earthly possessions or with acts of kindness, love, and faithfulness?
Are we living for today without a thought of eternity?
Are we rich in material wealth but bankrupt in our relationship with God?
Conclusion:
Beloved, let us remember that life is short and unpredictable. Our true value isn’t determined by the amount in our bank accounts or the size of our barns, but by the richness of our souls and our relationship with the Almighty.

As we go forth this week, may we strive to be truly rich, not in the material sense, but in love, kindness, generosity, and most importantly, in our relationship with God. For in Him, we find treasures that neither moth nor rust can destroy, and where thieves cannot break in and steal.

May the peace of Christ be with you all. Amen