A. INTRODUCTION: LUKE 12:13-34
1. You should never call anyone a fool. “…whosoever shall say, ‘thou fool,’ shall be in danger of hell fire'” (Matthew 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. “A 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 did not use it wisely. He hoarded his money and only planned 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. SEVEN REASONS WHY HE WAS FOOLISH
1. He was concerned only with things. “… one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (v. 15). “…then whose will those things be which you have provided?” (v. 20). Answer, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). “ But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ” (Philippians 3:7).
a. Tyranny of things. You no longer possess “things” but they possess you. You live for money, and things. Illustration of man who owned land in all directions but one.
b. Temporary nature of things. “While we do not look at the things which are seen … for the things … are temporary” (2 Corinthians 4:18). Everything you buy will not last.
2. He considered his things his own. My fruits, my barn, my goods, my soul. You are not a good Christian if you think your things belong to you. Stewardship is:
a. Giving your things to God.
b. Managing your time, talents, and treasure for God.
c. It is 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. “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry” (v. 19). Have you lived long enough to find that is not true? He wanted more crops, barns, and happiness.
4. He planned for time not eternity. “You have many goods laid up for many years” (v. 19). Illustration: “after that what?”
5. He thought his soul was his own. “You have many 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. “…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” (2 Corinthians 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 yielded plentifully” (v. 16). Food, “Consider the ravens … God feeds them” (v. 24). Clothing, “Consider the lilies … God so clothes the grass” (vv. 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 took care of them.
3. Seek to know and do God’s will with things. “But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you” (v. 31).
4. When you have done the above, trust God to take care of you. “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind” (v. 29).
5. Use your money for the glory of God and for the good of others. “Sell what you have and give alms” (v. 33).
6. Get your heart right about money. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (v. 34).
7. Store up your money in Heaven, not on earth. “Treasure in the heavens that does not fail” (v. 33). Do not, “…build greater (barns), and there I will store all my crops 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:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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