One of my favorite passages in the Bible is found in Luke 12:16-21, the Parable of the Rich Fool. While most of us don’t have barns today, Jesus’ warning about storing up earthly treasures is just as relevant now as it was then. So, what does it mean to be “rich toward God,” and why does it matter? Let’s dive into this powerful lesson.
The parable begins with a wealthy man who has a problem many might envy—his land has produced so much that his barns aren’t big enough to store it all. His solution? Tear down the old barns and build bigger ones. He says to himself, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry” (Luke 12:19).
At first glance, this sounds practical, even responsible. But Jesus reveals the man’s tragic mistake. God calls him a “fool” because his life will end that very night, and all his possessions will be left behind. Jesus concludes with a warning: “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21).
“Rich toward God” is a striking phrase, and while Scripture doesn’t define it explicitly, we can infer its meaning through contrast. The Rich Fool’s mistake wasn’t his wealth but his heart. He prioritized his possessions over God, finding his security and satisfaction in material abundance rather than in his Creator.
Being rich toward God means:
Had the Rich Fool done this, his wealth could have been a tool for eternal good instead of a trap for his soul.
The story of the Rich Fool reminds me of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Like the Rich Fool, Ebenezer Scrooge was consumed by wealth and self-interest. But Scrooge was given a second chance to change—and so are we.
Jesus teaches that the way we use money is evidence of our faith. While works don’t save us, they reflect our relationship with God. Holding onto wealth for ourselves reveals a heart that treasures possessions more than the Giver of all good things.
It’s important to note that money itself isn’t bad. It’s a powerful tool that can be used for good or bad, depending on how we handle it.
The danger lies in letting money take God’s place in our hearts. As Jesus warns in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” The Rich Fool’s failure wasn’t his wealth but his attitude. Instead of viewing his abundance as a gift from God, he saw it as an opportunity for personal indulgence.
Imagine if the Rich Fool had responded differently. What if, instead of building bigger barns, he prayed, “God, this is all Yours. You have made my fields prosper. Show me how to use this blessing to glorify You and help others”?
He might have used his wealth to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, or support God’s work. He could have shared in the joy of giving and discovered that, as Jesus said in Acts 20:35, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
The Parable of the Rich Fool is a sobering reminder to examine our own hearts. Are we building bigger barns, accumulating wealth for our own comfort? Or are we using God’s blessings to invest in eternal treasures?
Here’s how we can strive to be rich toward God:
The Rich Fool learned his lesson too late, but we don’t have to. Let’s choose today to prioritize God over possessions and live as wise stewards of His blessings.
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Let’s not just hear those words—let’s live them.
If you’d like to combat pride in your life and grow closer to the Lord, purchase our study guide entitled Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool. With the Lord's guidance, FaithFi created it to expand our understanding of His amazing love for us and what it means to follow him with all our hearts. Get a copy for personal study or for everyone in your Bible study group to experience it together.
Go to FaithFi.com/RTG to learn more!
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