Article Tools
- Text Size
- Add a comment (0)
- Print this article
- Email this article
The request that prompted Jesus to tell this parable might seem to be a rather innocent one. omeone in the crowd just wanted to receive his fair share of his family’s possessions.But to Jesus, the man’s concern with money betrayed the fact that he had missed the point—he had focused his attention on the things of this world rather than storing up treasures in the kingdom of God.
So Jesus distanced himself from this man’s personal concerns and proceeded to tell a story about a man with so much earthly wealth that he thought his future was secured. The rich landowner had “ample goods for many years,” so why not “relax, eat, drink, [and] be merry”? It’s easy to imagine this man at his leisure, enjoying the fruits of his labors.
So why is this man a fool? Don’t we all take measures to provide for our future security? The problem with the man in the parable is that he didn’t have his priorities straight. The wealthy man put all his trust in his possessions instead of putting his trust in God. He sought happiness and security by stockpiling his wealth, not even thinking of sharing it with others. We know from his monologue that he was self-centered—the…
The full article is available to subscribers only
Access all articles, daily meditations and readings, as well as special resources, by becoming a subscriber. View subscription options.
Special Offer: 2 week free web-only trial subscription. Sign up now.
Existing Print & Web-Only Subscribers: Login for full access.
