The Rich Fool

Parables. Most people are familiar with parables because of the teachings of Jesus. In the gospel of Luke, for example, a member of the crowd asked Jesus for a little help. The man’s story is a familiar story. In ancient times, the first born son inherited the whole enchilada. Other family members got bupkis. (I’m paraphrasing a little here.) So when the young man asked Jesus to “tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me,” it seemed to be an issue of fairness. Christ, though, recognized the petition for what it was, simple greed. “Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot” (Luke 12:15, The Message). Then he tells the Parable of the Rich Fool.

The story. A fabulously successful farmer after a bumper crop realizes he has more grain than he can fit into his barns. “Whoopee!” He decides to tear down his old barns tomorrow and build new ones. “I’ve got it made. With everything I’ve earned, I should think about retiring or maybe take up golf.” Then God arrives, calls him a fool, and leads him away, commenting, “What good is your wealth now?” Oops.

Here’s the thing. The young man listening to Jesus probably didn’t recognize himself as the wealthy farmer in the story. He saw himself as poor (hence the request about the inheritance). Maybe you know people like that?

Unlike most parables, this has only one character. You hear only the wealthy farmer’s thoughts and, of course, his analysis of the situation. Here’s what he says:

• “What a great harvest! Damn I’m good.” (Again paraphrasing.)
•  “I’ve got a problem. My barns are full.”
•  “I should build a bigger barn. Then I will be set for life.”

Here’s what he didn’t do.

• Thank God for the soil, the seed, the sun, and the rain.
• Show appreciation for the people under his employ who tended and harvested the crops.
• Ask for guidance as to how his wealth might best be spent.
• Show any inclination to help others who might be less fortunate.

A note. The man in the parable is a successful farmer. Why do commentators label him a fool? I can think of three good reasons.

1. He believes that things brings happiness.
2. He believes his success is because of his efforts alone. He earned what he got, so why should he share it?
3. He thinks he can shape the future. “Tomorrow I will….”

Jesus does not criticize the farmer for being successful or even for having wealth. His sin is treasuring the harvest at the expense of others. “That’s what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God” (Luke 12:21, The Message).

To Ponder. When you woke up this morning, how did you approach the day? Did you consider today the next in a long string of days to come? Did you assume, like the farmer, that spread before you was all the time you would ever need? How might such an attitude affect the way you live your life?

Inventory your barn. If you don’t have a barn, inventory your home, your closets, your garage, and maybe your latest bank statement. How much of this stuff is actually yours? How much belongs to God? How might you share some of this abundance with others who have less?