The Rich Fool

In Jesus’ time, people who had disputes with others often asked a rabbi or Jewish spiritual leader, to solve the dispute. Because Jesus was seen as a wise teacher, people sometimes asked him to settle their disagreements. One day, a man asked Jesus to settle a dispute about money. Jesus refused, saying, “Who made me a judge or divider over you?” (Luke 12:14) Then he told them this parable, which is found in the Bible.

The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, “What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?” And he said “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.” But God said to him, “Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. (Luke 12: 16-21)

What do you think is the meaning of this parable?