The parable of the fool
In the midst of a crowd of thousands, as Jesus was warning of the dangers of hypocrisy and assurance of the Holy Spirit’s assistance, a voice in the crowd asked Him to intervene in a family matter.
A man, most likely a younger brother, wanted Jesus to tell his brother to divide an inheritance with him. Jesus knew the issue between the two brothers was not the inheritance. He addressed both of them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed.” (v.15)
Jesus went on to tell them a story. A story of a man, by the standards of the world, who did everything right. He owned land that had yielded so many crops; he didn’t have enough room to store it. So much so he even had to build more substantial barns. He worked hard, and it paid off. He now had enough grain to last for years and can now take life easy. Sounds great, right?
In a modern-day parable, this man would be on television receiving praises and others would ask for farming technics. In the eyes of God someone behaving like this is not wealthy, he was solely focused only on himself. The parable goes on to say that the man died shortly after declaring a life of leisure. His accumulation of resources was all for nothing.
We are instructed to accumulate treasures in heaven, one that moth and rust cannot destroy. To me, this is more difficult than building bigger barns! And I’m not a contractor. It is because this means I have to deny myself. The voice inside that sounds like the brother saying "I want"; "it’s mine," "this isn’t fair." is the view of a heart that hasn’t been guarded.
God is good. He gives examples of how to store up treasures in heaven. We can serve the Lord faithfully (Matt 10:41), hand water to someone in need (Matt 10:42), sell your possessions and give to the poor (Luke 12:33), and work for your employer as if you are working for God (Col 3:23-24).
Each of us has been entrusted with resources (our time, talents, gifts, our finances) before we pick up the hammer for the barn construction do a heart check.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”-Jesus