The Rich Fool

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Ancilla

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#1
I was just wondering what you guys thought of the parable of the rich fool. I remember having a story book of it when I was little but not really understanding it. I don't know if I 100% understand it now.

Here it is in Luke 12 (NIV)

The Parable of the Rich Fool
13Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."

14Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" 15Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
16And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'
18"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '
20"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' 21"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
 
A

Ancilla

Guest
#2
And here it is again from the Message

The Story of the Greedy Farmer

13Someone out of the crowd said, "Teacher, order my brother to give me a fair share of the family inheritance."

14He replied, "Mister, what makes you think it's any of my business to be a judge or mediator for you?"
15Speaking to the people, he went on, "Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot."
16-19Then he told them this story: "The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. He talked to himself: 'What can I do? My barn isn't big enough for this harvest.' Then he said, 'Here's what I'll do: I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll gather in all my grain and goods, and I'll say to myself, Self, you've done well! You've got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!'
20"Just then God showed up and said, 'Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goods—who gets it?' 21"That's what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God."
 
Jan 8, 2009
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#3
I thought this one was one of the most obvious parables what do you think?


Anyway parables are meant to have a different meaning for different people but this is what Barnes says:

Barnes commentary says;

Luk 12:19
Much goods - Much property. Enough to last a long while, so that there is no need of anxiety or labor.
Take thine ease - Be free from care about the future. Have no anxiety about coming to want.
Eat, drink, and be merry - This was just the doctrine of the ancient Epicureans and atheists, and it is, alas! too often the doctrine of those who are rich. They think that all that is valuable in life is to eat, and drink, and be cheerful or merry. Hence, their chief anxiety is to obtain the "delicacies of the season " - the luxuries of the world; to secure the productions of every clime at any expense, and to be distinguished for splendid repasts and a magnificent style of living. What a portion is this for an immortal soul! What folly to think that "all" that a man lives for is to satisfy his sensual appetites; to forget that he has an intellect to be cultivated, a heart to be purified, a soul to be saved!



I think it really deals with the same sort of thing - greed, on different levels.

1. avoiding honest work
2. trusting in material possessions in order to secure the future
3. to try and obtain lasting joy in material possessions
4. Neglecting the spiritual things, the soul, and focussing on material things.
5. Pride in having the future planned out "my will be done" instead of saying "thy will be done".

Greed is really a type of idolatary.
 
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carpetmanswife

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#4
it means dont get so caught up with material wealth that we forget whats really important ..the spiritual, ...Dont let that day come upon you unaware...*my opinion*
 
Jan 8, 2009
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#5
I was just reading the rest after the parable, it's interesting that Jesus's talk about not worrying about tomorrow comes directly after this parable, and directly after a man has just asked Jesus to tell the guy's brother to divide the inheritence with him. Then after that goes into the bit about Jesus returning when we don't expect him.

Luk 12:22 And He said to His disciples, Therefore I say to you, Be not anxious as to your life, what you shall eat; nor for the body, what you shall put on.


 
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Ancilla

Guest
#6
Does that mean that we shouldn't save for retirement? No, of course not. Maybe it just means we should save for a modest retirement. Just enough so we won't be a burden to others but not to be rolling in luxury.

Hmm... that makes sense. I guess I just see "greed is a sin" and "don't trust your future with material things" as just not one of those things I see on the forefront of all Christian denominations. I guess I just wish I knew more Christians who live their life with the Rich Fool in the back of their mind.
 
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carpetmanswife

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#7
ancilla ,course ,if possible save up for retirement bible does say'occupy till I come' we have to live and He knows that . we just cant get that Judas spirit..greed as u spoke of :)
 
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