What does "store my surplus grain" reveal about the man's priorities? Setting the Scene Luke 12:18–19 records the rich farmer’s plan: “Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy: eat, drink, and be merry.”’ ” Key phrase: “store my surplus grain” (v. 18) The Greek literally reads “gather together there all my produce,” underlining that the grain already exceeded normal capacity—this was excess. What the words reveal about the man’s priorities • Self-interest: five first-person verbs in one sentence (“I will do… I will tear down… I will build… I will store… I will say”). • Security in possessions: barns replace God as the place of trust (cf. Proverbs 18:11). • Immediate comfort over eternal reality: “eat, drink, and be merry” ignores the soul’s destiny. • Ownership mindset: “my barns… my grain… my goods” — no acknowledgment that “the earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24:1). • Hoarding instead of generosity: abundance invites sharing (Leviticus 19:9-10), yet the farmer insulates himself. • Short-sighted planning: he prepares for “many years,” but the very night his life is required (Luke 12:20). Contrast with God’s priorities • Treasure in heaven: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-20). • Rich toward God: Jesus concludes, “So is he who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21). • Stewardship, not ownership: “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest” (Proverbs 3:9). • Generous sharing: “He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25). Lessons for today • Abundance tests allegiance: surplus can foster worship or self-reliance. • Plans must include God: “You do not even know what will happen tomorrow” (James 4:14). • True security rests in Christ, not in storage: “Command those who are rich… to put their hope in God… to be rich in good works” (1 Timothy 6:17-18). • Eternal perspective reshapes priorities: possessions become tools for kingdom impact, not trophies of personal success. |
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