How Can I Stop from Being a Rich Fool?

by Patricia Day

A rich man was blessed with a huge harvest.  His first thoughts were NOT to thank God.  NOT to help others but how can I store all this and keep it safe for myself (based on Luke 12:15).

I will build larger barns and then I will have plenty for the months and years ahead.  So he built new storage facilities and packed his harvest inside.

Little did he know that it would be one of the last things he would do.  His wealth was not taken from him – his soul was.

And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. ¹⁹ And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

“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?’

“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:16-21, NIV).

But God said to him, “You fool!  Tonight you will die.  Then who will get what you have stored up?”

This is what happens to people who store up everything for themselves, but are poor in the sight of God.

There was no thought of helping others; only to provide for himself.

We all have a tendency to want material things.  Some are necessary for our everyday lives, while others are not.  They are simply desires for more stuff.  Stuff can give us a certain stature in society.

We overlook the fact, that everything belongs to God – we are only caretakers and are expected to share our blessings with the less fortunate or needy.

The rich man lost everything including his soul, because he put material wealth before spiritual health.

Let us remain aware that our job here on earth, is to lean upon God and His provision.  Not gather and keep all that we gain for our own use.

Thought for the day:

You can’t have everything, where would you keep it all?

Let’s pray that we use the resources that God gives us to bless others. (click to tweet)

Prayer:

Abba, help us to help others, as You bless us with our needs each day.  Amen

Patricia Day

Writing has always been a passion of Patricia. She can express myself better in writing, than verbally.  She enjoys creating short stories and devotionals. Her favourite past-times: family-time; gardening; reading; walking and listening to good music. Married.  Mother of two sons; step-Mom to a son & daughter and Nana to ten.

Look for her devotionals at Pepe Prays and her blog at Patters Matters.

Patricia has recently completed her first novel – Eleanor, A Stolen Childhood – which is in the process of publication.  Her second novel, Priscilla – Hidden in the Shadows is now being written.