Topical Bible: Covetousness: The Rich Fool

Bible > Topical > Covetousness

◄ Covetousness: The Rich Fool ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Introduction

Covetousness, often understood as an intense desire for wealth or possessions, is a theme addressed throughout the Bible. It is considered a sin that leads individuals away from spiritual fulfillment and towards material obsession. One of the most illustrative parables concerning covetousness is that of the Rich Fool, found in the Gospel of Luke. This parable serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the futility of placing trust in earthly riches.

Biblical Context

The parable of the Rich Fool is located in Luke 12:13-21. It is introduced by a request from a man in the crowd who asks Jesus to intervene in a family inheritance dispute. Jesus responds by warning against greed and then tells the parable to illustrate His point.

The Parable of the Rich Fool

In the parable, a wealthy man experiences a bountiful harvest, so abundant that he lacks the space to store his crops. He decides to tear down his barns and build larger ones to accommodate his surplus. The man then plans to take life easy, eat, drink, and be merry. However, God addresses him as a "fool," declaring that his life will be demanded from him that very night. The parable concludes with the admonition: "This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God" (Luke 12:21).

Theological Implications

The parable underscores the transient nature of earthly wealth and the folly of prioritizing material possessions over spiritual riches. The Rich Fool's error lies not in his wealth itself but in his attitude towards it. He places his security and trust in his possessions, neglecting his relationship with God. This reflects a broader biblical teaching that covetousness is idolatry, as it places material wealth above God (Colossians 3:5).

Moral and Ethical Lessons

1. The Danger of Greed: The parable warns against the insatiable desire for more, which can lead to spiritual blindness. The Rich Fool's preoccupation with his wealth prevents him from recognizing his ultimate dependence on God.

2. The Illusion of Security: The Rich Fool believes that his wealth guarantees a secure future. However, Jesus highlights the uncertainty of life and the reality that material wealth cannot prevent death or secure eternal life.

3. Being Rich Toward God: The parable calls believers to focus on spiritual wealth, which includes faith, obedience, and a relationship with God. True richness is found in living a life that honors God and serves others.

4. Stewardship: The Rich Fool fails to see his wealth as a stewardship from God. Instead of using his abundance to bless others, he hoards it for himself. The Bible teaches that believers are to be generous and to use their resources for God's kingdom (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

Conclusion

The parable of the Rich Fool serves as a timeless reminder of the perils of covetousness. It challenges believers to examine their own lives, to seek contentment in God's provision, and to prioritize spiritual wealth over material gain. Through this parable, Jesus calls His followers to a life of faithfulness, generosity, and trust in God's eternal promises.

Nave's Topical Index

Luke 12:15-21
And he said to them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Rich Fool
... Covetousness is folly, because it grasps at worldly good, under the false belief
that ... The story of the rich fool is not a parable in the narrower meaning of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the rich fool.htm

The Rich Fool.
... But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy ... was the outbursting of a scathing,
scorching covetousness that formed ... The ground of a certain rich man brought ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/xix the rich fool.htm

The Three Parables of Warning: to the Individual, to the Nation ...
... our present need, which is the characteristic of covetousness. The rich man is
surveying his land, which is ... which cannot be gainsaid or answered: Thou fool! ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvi the three parables.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xii. 15, "And He Said unto Them ...
... Beware of covetousness;" but added, "of all covetousness." Nor was ... There was," He
saith, "a certain rich man, whose ... say, And how did God speak with a fool? ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lvii on the words.htm

The Gospel of Luke
... In connection with the parable of the rich fool the Lord warns against covetousness
and anxious care, and bids his disciples to be prepared for the day of his ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the gospel of luke.htm

On Worldly Folly
... Beware of covetousness; for the ... whole occurrence: "So is every one who layeth up
treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God," " such a fool, such an ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 119 on worldly folly.htm

The Remedies against the Disease of Covetousness.
... example of Gehazi, who for the sin of covetousness was chastised ... cause that which
was said to the rich man in ... by the voice of the Lord: "Thou fool, this night ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxx the remedies against.htm

Private Property and the Common Good
... And he said unto them, Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetousness: for
a ... As with the rich fool, the horizon of life is filled with chances to make ...
/.../the social principles of jesus/chapter viii private property and.htm

The Gospel According to St. Luke
... such is the parable of the good Samaritan, and that of the rich fool. ... leaven of the
Pharisees, confidence in God, warnings against covetousness, anxiety and ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter v the gospel according.htm

Tenth Commandment
... "You are a fool," the devil ... Mr. Durant told me he woke up one morning to find that
he was a rich man, and ... Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/tenth commandment.htm