0385. THE RICH FOOL.

THE RICH FOOL.

Luk_12:16-21.

"A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Luk_24:15). An abundance of straw will not supply the place of wheat: neither will the abundance of a man’s rags adorn him. Life consists hot in abundance, but in having that which is truly meet. Man’s covetous eyes looks for quantity, although it should rot like the kept up "manna." "Consider the ravens" (Luk_24:24). "Consider the lilies" (Luk_24:27). "Your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things" (Luk_24:30).A man’s life is not in things at all, but in God, just as there is no life in the chaff, so there is no true life in the things of the world. The Laodiceans had abundance, but it was a miserable portion (Rev_3:18-20). Life means peace, faith, hope. The things of the world cannot give them.

I. A Plentiful Portion. "The ground brought forth plentifully" (Luk_24:16). Unprecedented success has attended his effort. The sun and shower has favoured him, the horn of plenty has been poured into his lap, and with this plentiful harvest comes also a plentiful opportunity of doing good by making the hearts of the poor sing for joy. In the Lord Jesus Christ God has given us a very plentiful portion. They are infinitely rich who possess Him. And as a consequence greatly responsible.

II. A Perplexing Thought. "What shall I do" (Luk_24:17). Give thanks unto the Giver of every good gift of course. "But no, not a word about God, my fruits, my goods" (Luk_24:18). Alas, this is but the influence of the abundance of the things of this life, to increase the perplexity of the possessor. The more corn, the more care. The more pounds, the less pleasure if God is forgotten. The young ruler went away sorrowfully for he was very rich. A child will be happy with one apple in its hand and miserable with three, because it has more than it can hold. How different with spiritual blessings. Christ, "the blessing of the Lord maketh rich and addeth no sorrow" (Pro_10:22). Here are riches that satisfy, and cure all perplexity. Pilate said, "What shall I do with Jesus (which is called Christ)." This precious gift of God is worthy of a new and bigger heart.

III. A Reasonable Conclusion. "This will I do, I will pull down my barns and build greater" (Luk_24:18). There is nothing foolish in this. It is wise to make large provision for God’s larger gift. It would be good for some Christians to have their old barns pulled down and to build greater, to make more room for Christ the Gift of God in their hearts, the "exceeding riches of Christ" are often crowded out of hearts because they are too contracted. The fullness of the blessing cannot be contained in the old barns, there must be a pulling down and an enlargement, or else there will be a suffering of loss. The windows of Heaven are opened, but we cannot say we have not room enough, because faith is small.

IV. A Selfish Consideration. "I will say to my soul, Take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry" (Luk_24:19). God’s great gift in providence has been received, but how is it to be used? All for the ease and gratification of self. "My soul, eat, drink, etc." Self only is in his reckoning, and here is his folly. It is a foolish thing then to be selfish and to seek abiding happiness where it can never be found in material things. Having got abundance, he would now rest in idleness and ease. Are there not many who, having received abundant salvation for themselves, revel in spiritual luxuries and forget the poor and the needy outside the Kingdom of God. It is foolish, selfish, and sinful to "take thine ease, and eat," etc., while others are perishing.

V. A Solemn Message. "This night thy soul shall be required of thee" (Luk_24:20). This is an awakening word to those who are seeking their happiness only in the things which satisfieth not. Death, to the rich worldling, is their bill of bankruptcy, while dreaming of peace and plenty sudden destruction and spiritual poverty, cometh upon them. With regard to their enjoyments, "death ends all." In all his planning there is no "if the Lord will." Those who have been occupied only with their own good can never receive the Master’s "Well done." "Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to Me." It is blessed to receive, but it is more blessed to give.

VI. A Remorseful Question. "Then whose shall those things be?" (Luk_24:20). Then what a thrust at the heart this is, by the sword of the Spirit "whose," they will not be his at anyrate. His expectation of "many years" is suddenly cut off, and the foolishness of his conduct is clearly seen. Oh, that men were wise, especially rich men, to consider their latter end! But there is a thought here still for the selfish Christian: "Whose shall these privileges be?" With every blessing there is privilege, and with the privilege corresponding responsibility. See that others get a share of the legacy of your own experience, otherwise "whose shall they be?"

VII. A Pointed Application. "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God" (Luk_24:21). Whether he is a worldling or a Christian he acts the fool, if he lays up for self instead of God. Men lay up for themselves by gathering, and for God by giving. Self cries, Give, give, like the greedy sea. Grace says, Give give, like the generous sun. "Lay up treasure in Heaven." Self is a bag that will wax old (Luk_24:33). The woman that cast her farthing into the treasury was laying up treasure in Heaven. The Samaritan who paid the two pence for the wounded did the same. So did the woman that poured her ointment on the Master’s head. The world cannot see the true Christians’ riches, they are in God’s bank. Is your heart right with God? Where is it? Just where your treasure is (Luk_24:34).

Autor: James Smith