In this post today, we will discuss the parable of the rich fool summary and important life lessons we need to take from that parable our Lord Jesus Christ told in Luke 12:13-21 in the New Testament.
The parable of the rich fool is one of the most important parables Jesus Christ told His disciples while on earth, which is very relevant, especially in the times we live in today.
In that parable of the rich fool who was a rich man who had everything, Jesus Christ reminds us what life is all about instead of just being about having riches, wealth, and material possessions.
With that said, let’s look at the parable of the rich fool summary and the vital life lessons we need to get from that parable as believers today who think life is about having money, riches, material possessions, and wealth.
Story Of The Parable Of The Rich Fool.
The parable of the rich fool begins when in Luke 12:16 where He begins to narrate that a certain rich man who was a farmer had yielded a great and abundant harvest.
This rich farmer after having his great harvest then thought about what to do with the great harvest he had made as he had no place to store his harvested crops (Luke 12:17).
In verse 18 of Luke 12, he then said that he will tear down his barns to build bigger ones to store his surplus grain. He then said in Luke 12:19 that since he has plenty of grain laid up for many years, he can enjoy his life and be merry.
Doesn’t his sound familiar? I am sure you are familiar with this slogan,” eat, drink and be merry.” This a saying that’s popular among many worldly and materialistic people who think that life is about having material possessions and riches.
Sadly, many are like this rich fool who thought he owned and controlled his life. Many people today are busy trying to get rich and gather their wealth and material possessions so that they can enjoy them for the rest of their lives.
Life Isn’t About Material Things.
These people motivated by the material thing of this world like the rich fool think that life is about having money, riches, or possessions and have no regard for their soul.
Now back to our story of the parable of the rich fool. Just as he was thinking about how he can enjoy his harvest in pleasure for the rest of his life, something interesting happens in Luke 12:20.
In that above bible verse, suddenly God tells this rich fool at night that his soul will be required of him and what will be of those riches up to this time he prepared to enjoy himself.
He further asks this rich fool as to whether who will get the riches and material things he had vainly gathered for himself to enjoy in old age.
In Luke 12:21, Jesus Christ sums it up that this will be the case for all of us who aren’t rich towards God but vainly choose to store up riches and wealth for ourselves in this world that can grow wing at any instant.
The above parable is a grim reminder, especially to the people of this generation who have become so materialistic and think life is about having money and material things.
Jesus Christ tells us in Luke 12:15 to beware of all kinds of greed as life doesn’t consist of what one has because you can have all the riches this world has to offer but if you are without salvation and eternal life Christ gives, you have no life in you.
Related: 7 Benefits Of Godliness With Contentment [In A Believer.]
Parable Of The Rich Fool Life Lessons.
One of the vital life lessons we can deduce from the parable of the rich fool who in his foolishness thought he would live forever is that we must not devote our lives to acquiring riches and wealth that we won’t even take with us when we die (1 Timothy 6:6-8).
Sadly, many due to greed and covetousness are too obsessed with acquiring wealth and material things that they don’t even need at the expense of their precious priceless souls.
If you are such a greedy person who’s greedy for material gain at all costs, Jesus Christ is reminding you in Mark 8:36 that what will it profit you in the end if you have all the riches of this world your little heart desires but lose your soul in the end?
Every day, we see and witness rich people die and live all the riches they vainly accumulated for years behind. So, it will be utter foolishness on your part to devote your life to acquiring riches that you will live behind when you die.
We Are To Be Rich Towards God.
However, the most important question is,” did these rich people die knowing Christ, and did they accept Him as their personal, Lord, and savior while on earth?”
If not, hell is their final destination as was the case of the foolish rich man in Mark 10:17-31 who ended up in hell while his poor colleague, Lazarus ended up in heaven.
Another vital life lesson we can get from the parable of the rich fool is that we need to be rich towards God by laying up treasures in heaven as Jesus Christ taught His disciples in Matthews 6:20.
As a believer or Christian, you need to understand that your true wealth, treasure, and riches are in Christ Jesus through eternal life and not in the corruptible material things of this world.
The other life lesson we can get from this foolish rich man and farmer is that we must not trust in the uncertainty of riches as we are told in 1 Timothy 6:17 as riches grow wings.
The rich fool in the above parable was foolish as he trusted in his uncertain riches and wasn’t rich towards God where true wealth is found by having eternal life and preparing to meet his Maker on Judgment day.
Our True Riches Are In Christ.
It is why Jesus Christs tells us earlier in Luke 12:15 that our lives don’t consist of the material things we have and must beware of all forms of greed and covetousness that have consumed many materialistic people greedy for gain today.
Many people today equate and define their lives based on the amount of money, houses, cars, riches, material possessions they have, and so on.
If you are such a person who bases your value on your earthly possessions, you will never be truly content and happy in life, as those things cannot meet the deepest needs of your soul God only can meet.
Lastly, another lesson we get from the rich fool is you must not hoard the riches and material wealth for yourself when God blesses you with them. Instead, learn to bless others with your wealth also.
Doing, you will make God bless you even more for the generosity you selflessly show to the poor people. Don’t allow greed and covetousness to make you have more than you need.
Related: How To Invest In Heavenly Treasures [That Don’t Perish].
Conclusion.
I hope the above post on the parable of the rich fool summary and meaning will now help you understand that your life isn’t about making money or having perishable material things.
As a Christian, your eternal treasure that’s incorruptible is in Christ Jesus, the only person who can give you the greatest treasure you can ever have, eternal life.
In closing, if this post has been beneficial to you, drop a comment below, and don’t forget to share before you leave as many need to see this. God bless.
Further Reading.
- Wide Is The Road That Leads To Destruction {Real Meaning}.
- 5 Major Dangers Of Worldly Wisdom {That Makes It Lethal.}
- How To Overcome The Lust Of The Eyes In 10 Easy Steps.
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