A Rich Farmer

A. INTRODUCTION: LUKE 12:13-34

1. Don’t call anyone a fool. " . . . whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire" (Matt. 5:22).

2. Definition. Comes from aphron, "to be without mind, not the existence of a mind, but without the use of the mind." -Vines.

"Fool is lacking judgment or understanding, or a harmless deranged person who lacks common sense." -Webster.

3. Balance. The parable is about a rich man who accumulated wealth, and does not use it wisely. He hoards his money and only plans to make more money. Jesus does not argue against saving money, but against (1) self-centered covetousness, and (2) stowing your influence in barns instead of serving God and helping others.

4. Stewardship is the proper management of your time, talent and treasure for the glory of God.

B. WHY HE WAS FOOLISH

1. He was concerned only with things. ". . . a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (v. 15).

" . . . then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?" (v.20). Answer, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you" (Matt. 6:33). "What things were gain to me, I count but loss" (Phil. 3:7).

a. Tyranny of things. You no longer possess "things" but they possess you. You live for money, and things. Illustrations of man who owned land in all directions but one.

b. Temporary nature of things. "We look not at things which are seen, . . . for things are temporal (temporary)" (II Cor. 4:18). Everything you buy will not last.

2. He considered his things his own. My fruits, my barn, my goods, my soul.

a. You are not a good Christian if you think your things belong to you. Stewardship is:

1. Giving your things to God.

2. Managing your time, talents and treasure for God.

3. It’s not how much of your money should you give to God, but how much of God’s money should you keep for yourself.

3. He thought things would satisfy. "Thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry" (v.19). Have you lived long enough to find that is not true? He wants more crops, barns, and happiness.

4. He planned for time not eternity. "Soul thou hast much goods laid up for many years" (v.19). Illustration: "After that what?"

5. He thought his soul was his own. "My soul, thou hast much goods" (v.19). Wrong. (1) You belong to God by creation. (2) You are controlled by God because of redemption.

6. He thought he had plenty of time. "For many years" (v.19). Do it when God puts an inkling in your heart, i.e., to repent, give or go. "Behold, now is the accepted time" (II Cor. 6:2). How long is "now"? If you get up when I said "now," you are late.

7. He did not know where his things came from. "The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully." (v.16). Food: "Consider the ravens . . . God feedeth them" (v. 24). Clothing: "Consider the lilies . . . God so clothe the grass" (v. 27, 28). "Life is more than meat, and the body more than raiment" (v. 23).

C. SEVEN PRINCIPLES TO TAKE AWAY

1. Work hard for money while trusting God with the harvest. God did not condemn the rich man’s prosperity. He condemned his greed. "Beware of covetousness" (v.15).

2. It is all right to have things, but realize God’s ownership of all things and your stewardship of things. The ravens used God’s world and He taketh care of them.

3. Seek to know and do God’s will with things. "Seek ye the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" (v. 31).

4. When you have done the above, trust God to take care of you. "Seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind" (v. 29).

5. Use your money for the Glory of God and for the good of others. "Sell that ye have, and give alms" (v. 33).

6. Get your heart right about money. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (v. 34).

7. Store up your money in heaven, not on earth. " . . . a treasure in the heavens that faileth not" (v. 33). Don’t " . . . build greater (barns), and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods" (v. 18).

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart: