532. LUK 12:16-21. THE RICH FOOL

Luk_12:16-21. The Rich Fool

"And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: and he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?" &c.’97Luk_12:16-21.

This parable originated in consequence of an individual applying to Christ, that he would adjudicate between him and one of his brethren in reference to the family inheritance. This would have been a direct departure from the spiritual province the Saviour came to occupy, and therefore he replied, "Man, who made me a judge or a divider among you?" Luk_12:14. And seeing the anxiety of this individual respecting the attainment of an earthly possession, he said, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth;" Luk_12:15. This important principle he illustrates by the parable before us. Observe,

I. The rich man’s possessions; Luk_12:16. "The ground of a rich man brought forth plentifully." He was in circumstances of affluence, rich and prosperous. Just in that condition which men are anxious to attain. The sun of prosperity shone upon him. The gales of prosperity filled the canvas of his vessel, and her gallant course was all that heart could desire. This is often the lot of the thoughtless and the ungodly. So that temporal prosperity is never a sure indication either of piety or irreligion. In this respect one event happeneth to all. Observe,

II. His anxieties. Some imagine that anxiety is only the lot of the poor and the wretched, and such as have to buffet with the waves of adversity. The very opposite is generally the case. Anxieties are generally found in proportion to the amount of our earthly possessions. Riches and cares are inseparably wedded together. Hence, though rich and prosperous, he exclaims, "What shall I do?" We marvel not that the poor and starving, that the widow and the orphan, that the distressed and unfortunate should thus exclaim, but this is the language of a man of abounding affluence. He knows not how to dispose of his abundance. "I have no room where to bestow my fruits." I am full to overflowing. I cannot keep pace in my hoarding arrangements with the increase of my substance. He surely had forgotten that the fruits of the earth were for the inhabitants of the earth, and that this superabundance was to enable him to give to the poor and needy, and such as were born for adversity. We see, too, that no degree of prosperity can soften or expand a sordid or selfish heart. We see, too, how he speaks as the proprietor, and not as the steward of his possessions. I have no room for my fruit; what shall I do? He recognizes no superior authority; he refers to no will but his own. How few remember that riches are only given in trust! And that God says to every one, "Occupy till I come." Observe,

III. His determinations. "And he said, This will I do; I will pull down my barns and build greater;" Luk_12:19, Luk_12:20.

1. He resolves on the means of accumulation. He will cherish the sordid, grasping feeling. He will add to his already oppressive abundance. Avarice, like the sea and the grave, never says it has enough. Like the horse-leech, it ever cries, "Give, give!"

2. He forms his arrangements without any reference to the providence of God. He says, "I will pull down my barns," &c. He reckons on no contingencies. He calculates on no changes. He is as self-confident as he is rich. He thinks he can dispose of events as easily as of riches. He fancies time and years to be as malleable as gold. He does not even say that he will endeavor to do these things, but he confidently declares that he will do them.

3. He reckons on his riches as the joy and portion of his soul. "And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years," &c. His mind was evidently gross and carnal. His affections earthly. His gold was his idol. He evidently was ignorant that mere material things could not satisfy the mental desires of an immaterial spirit. The fruits of the earth would do well enough to meet many physical necessities, but what could they do in meeting the boundless longings of a deathless soul? How would he extract from wealth, light for his understanding, truth for his judgment, peace for his conscience, or solid hopes for his immortal desires and delights? What stupidity! What infatuation! Yet is not this the very spirit of worldliness’97seeking the chief good in the creature, and not in the Creator; having the affections on the earth instead of in heaven?

4. He confidently calculates on an extended existence. "Thou hast goods laid up for many years;" Luk_12:19. Many years of plenty and enjoyment are before thee. Be content, satisfied, happy. All things are right and secure; no interruption, no molestation shall affect me. What folly! Did he not know that no man could reckon with certainty as to to-morrow’97that the wisest cannot tell what a day will bring forth 5 That man’s breath is in his nostrils’97that man is travelling every moment on the margin of the grave? Yet this infatuated scheme of reckoning on long life, how common it is! Men buy and sell, and build, and form plans, as if they held life on a certain and long protracted term of years. Notice,

IV. His sudden and fatal arrestment. It might seem that this colloquy with himself had taken place on his bed. During the commencement of the night season. Having finished the process of his purposes and resolves, he now probably thinks of sleep, intending to commence his new improvements on the morrow. But observe,

1. How he in disturbed by the voice of Deity. "God said," either by some deep, unmistakable impression on his heart and conscience, or by some sudden infliction of disease. "Thou fool," &c. What an interruption to his castle-building! What an unexpected leveller of his plans! How soon the aspect of the whole scene is changed!

Mark,

2. The sudden termination of his career. "This night thy soul shall be required of thee." Thy race is run; thy probation ended. Thou art on the verge of the eternal world. This night. How soon’97how unexpected’97how awful!

3. The eternal ruin of his soul. He had lived for time and for earthly ends. His soul and eternal things had been utterly neglected. Alas! how poor is he now! How wretched! How despairing! He thought he was happy and secure. But he had built upon the sand, and all, by one fell storm, is swept away. And his soul is lost’97lost’97lost forever. Oh, reflect, be wise, and lay up treasure in heaven, &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS