The Rich Fool

The rich fool, who decided to lock up all his grain in a barn, is more like the slave who received a single talent and buried it in the ground, unlike the other slaves, who, having received their talents, put them to use and increased them.

Jesus Christ: His Life and Teaching, Vol.4 - The Parables of Jesus, Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev

Consider that we are God’s stewards and consider the use to which we are to put that with which we have been entrusted, and the meaning behind the opening quote will be clear.

Luke 12: 16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’

21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Immediately preceding this parable, Jesus was asked by one of the people that He speak to his brother to divide the inheritance with him. People would often turn to the Pharisees to resolve such situations and disputes, as they were to be resolved in accord with the law of Moses.

14 But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” 15 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

And from here, Jesus offered the parable.  In His words to the man, and through the parable, Jesus spoke on a topic to which He often returned – that of earthly wealth and riches.    This theme is one of the most constant in the Gospels.  For example:

Matthew 6: 19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Contrasted with:

Luke 6: 24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 25(a) Woe to you who are full, for you shall hunger.”

Returning to the parable, the rich man was exemplary in many ways: he works, plans, gathers, and strives to preserve his property.  He is successful, careful, and prudent.  There is nothing sinful in this behavior; in fact, it represents one who is utilizing such gifts as given by God just as we are commanded to do. 

We cannot read the parable as Jesus’ denunciation of financial success.  It would be incorrect, based on the parable, to believe that a failed businessman is closer to the kingdom of heaven than a successful one, or that a lazy person is more precious in the sight of God than one who loves to work.

Yet, this man is presented as one isolated from society.  There is no mention of a family, and certainly no mention of using his excess for charity.  He asks no one else for counsel.  In his plans for the future, he presents as one focused on himself.

Citing Alexander Shargunov:

“His behavior is an open challenge to everything that the word of God teaches.  He walks a road directly opposed to everything we know of Christ’s teaching…. Everything we have, we have received as a loan.  But all this belongs to the Lord God; we are only stewards over God’s goods.”

It isn’t that he is doing abominable works; there is no mention of him harming or cheating others in order to secure his wealth.  However, he is doing nothing of God’s work with this wealth for which he is merely steward. 

The rich man believes these earthly goods will bring comfort and joy to his soul.  But God said that his soul will be required of him that night.  The rich fool sees his soul as nothing more than his body, but his true soul does not eat perishable food.  He chains his soul to the earth, instead of rejoicing in God.

Conclusion

The system of values that Jesus offers in the Gospels is directly contrary to the values of the rich fool.  Jesus promises his disciples neither calm, nor riches, nor joy.  On the contrary, he predicts that they will suffer, feel sorrow, and be deprived of earthly things.

Yet, they are promised a joy – one that cannot be taken away from them by anything on this earth.  It is a difficult path – call it the narrow gate – but it leads to life.