The Story: The Barns and the Midnight Call

Jesus told this parable in direct response to someone who asked Him to settle a dispute over an inheritance. Jesus used the opportunity to address the danger of covetousness (greedy desire for wealth).

• The Harvest: A rich man’s land produced a huge harvest—more than his current barns could hold.

• The Selfish Plan: The man thought to himself, "What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?" His solution was entirely self-centered: "I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.'" (Luke 12:17–19)

• The Fatal Flaw: The man talked only to himself, about his things, and for his own earthly comfort. He failed to acknowledge God (the source of the harvest) or consider others in need.

• The Final Judgment: God suddenly interrupted his planning: "You fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?" (Luke 12:20)

I. The Core Lesson: The True Definition of "Fool"

In the Bible, a "fool" is not someone who lacks intelligence, but someone who lives as if God does not exist or as if this life is all there is (Psalm 14:1).

• The Foolish Calculation: The rich man’s mistake was in his math. He calculated his wealth, his comfort, and his years, but he left out the most important variables: God's sovereignty and the certainty of death. He assumed he had "many years" when he didn't even have the next day.

• The Meaning of Riches: Jesus ends the parable by saying, "So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God." Being rich toward God means investing your time, treasure, and energy into things with eternal value: serving others, sharing the Gospel, and growing in holiness.

II. The Character Trait: Eternal Perspective

This parable demands that we adopt an eternal perspective on everything we possess.

1. Possessions Do Not Satisfy the Soul

The man spoke to his soul, telling it to "relax, eat, drink, be merry." He was trying to satisfy a spiritual need with material goods. Money can provide comfort, but it can never satisfy the soul's deep need for God, which is why he was judged as a fool.

2. Nothing is Taken to the Grave

The man’s life was taken that night, leaving all his carefully stored goods behind. As Christians, we are constantly reminded that we are temporary stewards of God's resources, and we will take nothing with us when we die (1 Timothy 6:7). Our only lasting treasure is the spiritual fruit we have invested in God's Kingdom.

Applying the Truth Today

This parable challenges you to check your ultimate priority. Where is your focus? Are you building bigger barns for yourself, or are you investing in the Kingdom of God? Remember that the greatest danger is not having money, but loving money and trusting it for a security that only God can provide.

Reflection Questions for Your Journey:

1. The "My" Trap. Reread the rich man's thoughts and count how many times he used "my" or "I." How often do your own daily plans leave God and others out of the equation?

2. Richer Toward God. What is one practical thing you could do this week—a service, a generous gift, or an intentional moment of prayer—to be "richer toward God?"

3. The Midnight Call. If God required your soul this evening, what would you most regret not doing or not prioritizing in your life of faith?

Your Reading Guide

To reflect on where your ultimate security lies, read the full account in Luke 12:13–21. For more teaching on eternal perspective, read Matthew 6:19–21.