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As we approach the end of time, there is the tendency to get busier by the day without even thinking of the fast-approaching end. Without any iota of doubt, we are at the very end of what the Bible terms the ‘last days’. If we are not mindful, we can easily become lost in empty activities without productivity. We can be chasing the immediate and lose the ultimate purpose of God for our lives. The story of the biblical rich fool depicts the paradox of a busy but barren life.

If we are not mindful, we can easily become lost in empty activities without productivity. We can be chasing the immediate and lose the ultimate purpose of God for our lives.

“ He said to them, Guard yourselves and keep free from all covetousness (the immoderate desire for wealth, the greedy longing to have more); for a man’s life does not consist in and is not derived from possessing overflowing abundance or that which is over and above his needs. Then He told them a parable, saying, the land of a rich man was fertile and yielded plentifully.”  – Luke 12:15-16

Wealth as a Trust

In driving home a lesson on covetousness, Jesus told a parable of a rich man whose land produced abundantly so that he had no place to store the produce (Luke 12:15-17). This parable reveals to us the sovereignty of God to entrust His resources to whomever He chooses. The Scripture confirms that God is the one who gives the power to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18). In His love and sovereignty, Jesus said God sends His rain and sunlight to both the righteous and the unrighteous. Men may labour, but God is the one who gives increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-8). The Psalmist affirmed that, “It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to His loved ones” (Psalm 128:2). An understanding that wealth truly comes from God will determine our attitude towards it. Without this understanding and a firm trust in God as we labour, we would weary ourselves trying to make ends meet in vain. If we misconstrue the purpose of the wealth God entrusts into our hands, we are bound to suffer the fate of this rich fool as we shall be seeing in the latter part of this article. Wealth is given to enhance the preaching of the Gospel and expand God’s Kingdom here on earth. Of king Cyrus, God said He would give him treasures of darkness and hidden riches in secret places and he shall build God’s city and let go the captives (Isaiah 45:1-3,13). Whatever God gives us is for a purpose beyond us, and if we don’t get this, we will keep building castles in the air.

Whatever God gives us is for a purpose beyond us, and if we don’t get this, we will keep building castles in the air.

The Tragedy of the Selfish Life

‘And he thought within himself, saying, “What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?” So he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. So he said, “I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink and be merry”’ – Luke 12:17-19.

 The greatest enemy of man is the enemy within – ‘self-life’. The rich man lived in a world of his own; his life was largely driven by selfishness. He had no one from whom to take counsel, but thought to himself, saying, “What shall I do…?” He had both the question and the answer. His selfishness was also expressed in his statement which was full of ‘I’, forgetting that He didn’t own himself. With an abundant harvest, he neither thought about giving back to God nor giving to the poor, but to lay up the bumper harvest for himself and live on it for the years he was unsure of. He forgot that no man is sufficient in himself, but our sufficiency is of God (2Corinthians 3:5). The rich man had a misunderstanding of the purpose of riches, he failed to understand that God who gave him the riches had the power to take it back. He lived as if he was the author and finisher of his life. The self-life makes a man look away from God to himself. It is a life that doesn’t prioritize relationships, but self. When we focus so much attention on ourselves without considering God or others, we become self-limited with a distorted view of life which does not provide room for the wellbeing of others.

When we focus so much attention on ourselves without considering God or others, we become self-limited with a distorted view of life which does not provide room for the wellbeing of others.

Death – An Inevitable End

‘But God said to him, “you fool, this night your soul shall be required of you: then whose shall those things be, which you have provided?”’ – Luke 12:20. 

The rich man had selfishly and independently planned his life without involving God. Little did he know that God is the giver and taker of life (1 Samuel 2:6). Death is an inevitable end for all the living if the rapture tarries. To this, the Bible says, “None of us can hold back our spirit from departing. None of us has the power to prevent the day of our death. There is no escaping that obligation, the dark battle. And in the face of death, wickedness will certainly not rescue those who practice it” – Ecclesiastes 8:8.  The Psalmist revealed the state and fate of the rich and ungodly man – “They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches. Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God. Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can pay enough to live forever and never see the grave. Those who are wise must finally die, just like the foolish and senseless, leaving all their wealth behind” – Psalm 49:6-10. In his letter to the young Timothy, Apostle Paul cautioned that we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we shall take nothing along (1Timothy 6:7). In all our life’s pursuit, the word of God summarizes the whole duty of man as to fear God and keep His commandments because God shall bring every work into judgment (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Knowing that death is an inevitable end, it behooves us to live each day with eternity in view. It is important to note that we are on earth to prepare for eternity. The rich fool missed it because he had a wrong view of life and a misunderstanding of the purpose of wealth. He died and transited to eternity unprepared. 

Knowing that death is an inevitable end, it behooves us to live each day with eternity in view.

Rich In the Sight of Men, Wretched Toward God

‘This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich towards God.’ – Luke 12:20. 

In confirming the words of Christ that a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses (Luke 12:15), the rich man was busy amassing wealth for himself only to appear in eternity as an empty and miserable fool. Men may hold us in high esteem, they may cheer us for our lavish and flamboyant lifestyle, but it is only God’s commendation that matters (2 Corinthians 10:18). The rich man had everything money could possibly buy, but failed to establish a relationship with the one who gave him all things freely – God. Life is worthless without God! There is a void in every man’s life that nothing else can fill – not money, not wealth, not fame, not beauty; but only God can fill that void. Chasing things at the expense of God is like spending your life chasing the wind, only to discover at your life’s end that you caught nothing. This, King Solomon called vanity of vanities, all is vanity (Ecclesiastes 1:2). The word of God rightly declares that he that gets rich by unjust means will sooner or later lose such riches and at the end of his life become a fool (Jeremiah 17:11). The standard with which the world measures wealth and success quite differs from how God measures them. With God, a relationship with Him precedes any worldly accomplishment. Joseph was in prison, and owned no material possession, yet the Bible called him a prosperous man because the Lord was with him (Genesis 39:2). 

Chasing things at the expense of God is like spending your life chasing the wind, only to discover at your life’s end that you caught nothing.

A Final Word

In conclusion, the worth of life is in having a walk or relationship with the Giver of life – Jesus. Without a relationship with God on this side of eternity, all our toils and labours will be futile in eternity. At the end of our lives, we would only discover that we were busy but barren. Of the Laodicean Church Jesus said, “You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. I advise you to buy gold from me – gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. And also buy white garments so you will not be ashamed by your nakedness. And buy ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see”  (Revelation 3:17-18). He assuredly invites you to come taste true riches by submitting to His lordship so that your nakedness may be covered, and you may receive sight to see. Be blessed!