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Jesus had a man to come ask him if he would speak to his brother to
divide the inheritance with him. Jesus said he was not a divider of
inheritances but that they should beware of covetousness “for a man’s
life consisteth not in the abundance of the things, which he possesseth.”
(Lk. 12:15). Then Jesus spoke this parable: “The ground of a certain
rich man brought forth plentifully: and he thought within himself,
saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my
fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and
build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
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, But God said unto
him, thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee; then
whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that
layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
(Lk. 12:16-21).
1. It is not a sin to be rich. Abraham was called the friend of God
but he was very rich (Gen. 13:2; James 2:23). It is a sin to trust
in riches. “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be
not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living
God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” (I Tim. 6:17). It
is the Love of money that is the root of all evil (I Tim. 6:10).
Rich people have a tremendous responsibility “that they be rich
in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.”
(I Tim. 6:18).
2. It is not a sin to build greater barns. If the crop is made it is
either find a place to put it or it will spoil in the field. With
this abundant crop this rich farmer needed a good distribution
center in the form of a bigger barn. The trouble with this man was
that he had no plans to do any distributing. He was selfish and
covetous. He wanted everything for self and for self alone. Having
this attitude he enjoyed none of his worldly goods. It is more
blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).
3. This man made the mistake of counting as his all the earthly goods
he had accumulated. “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: it
is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish
his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.”
(Deut. 8:18). “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof;
the world, and they that dwell therein.” (Ps. 24:1). We are but
stewards of the goods that come into our hands and we are
responsible before God as to how we use them.
4. This man left God out of his thinking. Six times he talked about
what “I” will do, and five times he used “my”, but not once did
he refer to God. This is a mistake many people make. They are
like the animals under the acorn tree which enjoy the acorns but
never look up to see from whence they come. How many people obtain
educations, enjoy good health, work at jobs, enjoy good recreation,
have good families, and yet leave God completely out of their lives.
They take no time to worship, no time to obey God, no time to
cultivate the needs of their souls, and have nothing to give to
the work of the Lord. “But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and
all these things shall be added unto you” (Lk. 12:31).
5. This man thought that material things would satisfy his soul. He
had many goods laid up for many years and thought he could enjoy
them for many years. “Man shall not live by bread alone but by
every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Mat. 4:4).
Just as the body needs bread the soul needs the word. Man loses
all who does not take care of his soul’s needs (Mat. 16:26).
6. This man thought he had a lease on life. Little did he know that
the day he told his soul all these things was his last day on earth.
All of us should live as if this day was our last. If it was Sunday
and you knew it was your last day where would you go? If it was
one of the other days of the week how would you be acting, talking
and where would you be going? Would there be any time to study the
Bible, to pray, to go to worship, and to try to help someone who
needed your help? We should be doing the things every day as if
it was our last one. “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou
knowest not what a day may bring forth.” (Prov. 27:1). We know not
what will be on the morrow because our lives are as vapors that
appear for a little time and then vanish away (James 4:13,14).
Life is uncertain so take time to obey God, & to do good.
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