Parable of the Rich Fool – Luke 12

A certain rich man – I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”

But God said to him, “You fool!  This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?”

So is the man who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

… do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on.  For life is more than food, and the body than clothing.  Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; and they have no storeroom for barn; and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds!

And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life’s span?  If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why are you anxious about other matters?

Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these.  But if God so arrays the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you, O men of little faith!

And do not seek what you shall eat, and what you shall drink, and do not keep worrying.

… your Father knows that you need these things.  But seek for His kingdom, and these things shall be added to you.

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.

… make yourselves purses which do not wear out, and unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near, nor moth destroys.

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So it is.  This completes my thought.  It fills the dark hole of my anxiety.  A frightened child, helpless, abandoned and lonely.  Fearful of exposure to elements, of strangers who mock me, of being outside, destitute, being alone and unloved.

God reasons with us, calls himself a father to us.  He says not to worry, not to be anxious.  We’re valuable.  He is my father to whom I am valuable.  He is the rich father who wants to give and promise to give.  Good things to eat, wear and live in.  Don’t worry he says.

He tells me not to be rich toward myself toward this world but to be rich toward God.

Seek for His kingdom.  What does this mean?  Lay up  treasure in heaven that no thief can steal.

I may not understand everything.  But these words – I want to meditate on them.  So good that he reasonswith us.  His words are the bread of life that calms and satisfies.  This is all I need to know.  Let them be my own.

Let’s not forget what he says here.