The Parable of the Rich Fool
Comments for Study 24
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I. A Rich Fool (13-21)
>1. What event motivated Jesus to tell this parable?
* Luke 12:13 "Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."
* Luke is the only one to record this event. Luke records many events unique to his gospel, starting in Luke 9:51 (or 10:1) till Luke 18:14 (i.e., the sending of the seventy-two in 10:1-23, a unique visit to Martha and Mary's house in 10:38-42, ten healed of leprosy in 17:11-19). Much in these eight plus chapters are parables unique to Luke's gospel. (See a chart comparing Jesus' parables by using the link above.) Luke 18:15, Matthew 19:13, and Mark 10:13 record the same event, people bringing little children to Jesus. The events only recorded in Luke's mid-chapters seems to document events that happened during Jesus' trip to Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication (winter) as John 10:22 records. Jesus was crucified during the Feast of Passover (spring). If these facts are true than its possible that Luke 13:22, 31, 14:25 or Luke 17:11 or Luke 18:31 documents the start of Jesus' final trip to Jerusalem. (See chart to the right.)
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>Why did Jesus refuse to be involved in the fight of this family over property?
* Luke 12:14 "Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?"
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>As Christians, what lessons can we learn from verses 13-15?
* Luke 12:15 "Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
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>2. What happy problem did the rich man in the parable have?
* Luke 12:16-17 "And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'"
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>How did he decide to solve the problem?
* Luke 12:18-19 "Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry."'
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>3. What was his belief about life security?
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>Why was he a fool?
* Luke 12:20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'"
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>4. Why can't material things solve ones life security problem?
* Luke 12:21 "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
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>What is real life security?
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II. Do Not Worry (22-34)
>5. What basic things do most people including disciples worry about?
* Luke 12:22 "Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear."
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>In what respect are these things necessary to physical life?
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>6. What does Jesus mean when he says that life is more important that food and the body more important than clothes?
* Luke 12:23 "Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes."
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>7. What is the example of the ravens?
* Luke 12:24 "Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!"
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>What should we learn from them?
* Luke 12:25-26 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?"
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>What is accomplished by worrying?
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>8. What lesson does Jesus teach from the lilies?
* Luke 12:27 "Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these."
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>What is the basic cause of worrying? (28)
* Luke 12:28 "If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!"
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>9. What must God's children seek in contrast to the pagan world?
* Luke 12:29 "And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it."
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>What assurance does Jesus give disciples? (30-31)
* Luke 12:30-31 "For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well."
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>10. What is the most precious gift from the Father?
* Luke 12:32-34 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.
33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
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>How can we claim this gift and be rich toward God?
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