The Rich Fool’s Regret
But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. (Luke 12:20-21)
Having considered honoring God with our firstfruits, today Jesus warns us through the Rich Fool about the danger of storing up only for ourselves.
Although Luke wrote the Parable of the Rich Fool in the 1st century, its message is just as relevant for us today. The American dream – the idea of financial success, prosperity, and accumulation through hard work and self-reliance. Then the challenge becomes, what to do with all MY stuff? Buy and store earthly treasures: bigger houses, nicer cars, bigger portfolio, vacation home, etc. until those sobering words echo, “You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?”
Despite man’s best efforts to “take it with us when we’re gone,” the timeless truth does not change, “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” (I Timothy 6:7)
The story is told of a man that dies and goes to heaven where he is met by an angel. They begin walking down the streets of gold passing mansion after mansion. At the end of the street, they finally arrive at a dismal, dilapidated dwelling. The man immediately questions why he gets a shack and others a mansion. The reply was, “we did the best we could with the materials that you sent ahead.” While this is an obvious illustration, the materials we send ahead through faithful giving—including toward the Overflow Initiative—are what God uses to build our eternal home.
Reflection:
- In what areas of my life am I most tempted to “build barns” and store earthly treasures rather than being “rich towards God?”
- When I look at my life’s Balance Sheet, on which side of eternity are the most assets listed?
Prayer:
Gracious Heavenly Father, please help me to value what You value and to treasure what You treasure. Guard my heart from greed and materialism. Help me to be content in Your provision and to store up treasures for Your Kingdom. Thank You for the abundant blessings in my life and teach me to use each one to serve and bless others. In Jesus name, amen.
Vision Nights:
Join us for Vision Night tonight at 6:30 PM in the Worship Center, where we’ll share about the heart and vision of the Overflow Initiative. This is a great opportunity to hear details and ask questions. Creekside Kids will be available for children’s programming. Everyone is welcome!