A FOOLISH FARMER Luke 12:16-20

“A certain rich man brought forth plentifully” “A certain rich man brought forth plentifully” Lk. 12:16

“The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops? So he said, I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat drink, and be merry. But God said to him, You fool, this night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?” (Lk. 12:16-20). “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops? So he said, I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat drink, and be merry. But God said to him, You fool, this night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?” (Lk. 12:16-20).

He Had a Plan Although Not Well Thought Out! He Had a Plan Although Not Well Thought Out! He thought within He thought within himself: himself: He thought within He thought within himself: himself: “I will pull “I will pull down my down my barns.” barns.” “I will pull “I will pull down my down my barns.” barns.”

“I will build “I will build greater ones” greater ones” “I will build “I will build greater ones” greater ones” “I will store “I will store my crops and my crops and my goods.” my goods.” “I will store “I will store my crops and my crops and my goods.” my goods.” “…take my ease, “…take my ease, eat, drink, and eat, drink, and be merry.” be merry.” “…take my ease, “…take my ease, eat, drink, and eat, drink, and be merry.” be merry.”

Jesus used this parable to show the foolishness of this farmer’s plan. Jesus used this parable to show the foolishness of this farmer’s plan. Have you ever Have you ever wondered why Jesus called him a “fool” and told him “this night your soul will be required of you”? Have you ever Have you ever wondered why Jesus called him a “fool” and told him “this night your soul will be required of you”? What are the earmarks of a foolish What are the earmarks of a foolishman? man?

HE THOUGHT ONLY OF THE MATERIAL! HE THOUGHT ONLY OF THE MATERIAL! His whole life His whole life consisted of the things which he possessed. His whole life His whole life consisted of the things which he possessed. His material His material “things” took every plan, thought, and move of his life captive. His material His material “things” took every plan, thought, and move of his life captive. Jesus promised “things” (Mt. 6:33), Jesus promised “things” (Mt. 6:33), but would be life’s necessities, not toys! Jesus promised “things” (Mt. 6:33), Jesus promised “things” (Mt. 6:33), but would be life’s necessities, not toys!

“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.” (I Tim. 6:17) “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.” (I Tim. 6:17) God gives things to enjoy after needs are God gives things to enjoy after needs are sought and met: God gives things to enjoy after needs are God gives things to enjoy after needs are sought and met: “…one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Lk. 12:15) “…one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Lk. 12:15)

What dominates our feelings, thinking, and plans? What dominates our feelings, thinking, and plans? Do spiritual things have such little importance with us that other influences occupy a more prominent position in our affections? Do spiritual things have such little importance with us that other influences occupy a more prominent position in our affections? Are we any less foolish today than this Are we any less foolish today than this farmer when we live for the purpose of amassing “stuff” designed to meet our pleasures, thinking not of God and others? Are we any less foolish today than this Are we any less foolish today than this farmer when we live for the purpose of amassing “stuff” designed to meet our pleasures, thinking not of God and others?

HE CONSULTED ONLY HIMSELF! Jesus said, “And he thought within Jesus said, “And he thought within himself” (Lk. 12:17). Jesus said, “And he thought within Jesus said, “And he thought within himself” (Lk. 12:17). Another translation Another translation records it, “So he began to argue with himself.” Another translation Another translation records it, “So he began to argue with himself.” There is no mention There is no mention of him ever going beyond himself for any needed answer! There is no mention There is no mention of him ever going beyond himself for any needed answer!

Inspiration spoke to his Inspiration spoke to his needs many years earlier: Inspiration spoke to his Inspiration spoke to his needs many years earlier: “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jer. 10:23) “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jer. 10:23) “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” (Ps. 37:23) “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” (Ps. 37:23)

“There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Prov. 14:12). “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Prov. 14:12). Being headstrong, Being headstrong, selfish, and stubborn will result in poor decisions and tragic ends! Being headstrong, Being headstrong, selfish, and stubborn will result in poor decisions and tragic ends! A person is foolish to A person is foolish to fail to consult God on matters so critical! A person is foolish to A person is foolish to fail to consult God on matters so critical!

This man had a stewardship problem; This man had a stewardship problem; he should have consulted God on the matter rather than being so presumptuous because all that he handled came from God. He had no right to He had no right to ignore God in this matter. His making the His making the mistake shows us that he lacked ability to exercise discernment and good judgment.

HE PLANNED ONLY FOR TIME Hear the account once again: ‘And Hear the account once again: ‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”’ Hear the account once again: ‘And Hear the account once again: ‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”’ (Lk. 12:19)

Elements of sadness to this foolish farmer’s future (He had an “fff” program in place as well). Elements of sadness to this foolish farmer’s future (He had an “fff” program in place as well). Used his last day on earth thinking Used his last day on earth thinking about years he did not have! about years he did not have! Used his last day on earth thinking Used his last day on earth thinking about years he did not have! about years he did not have! His plans reached into the future His plans reached into the future without having one! without having one! His plans reached into the future His plans reached into the future without having one! without having one! He counted on time, but had none! He counted on time, but had none! He wasted the time that he did have He wasted the time that he did have and ignored eternity! and ignored eternity! He wasted the time that he did have He wasted the time that he did have and ignored eternity! and ignored eternity! F U T I L I T Y !

CONCLUSION: Old Paths (Right): “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls…” (Jer. 6:16). “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls…” (Jer. 6:16). A Highway (Spiritual): A Highway (Spiritual):

“If you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1). “If you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1). Straight Path (Focused): Straight Path (Focused): “And make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed” (Heb. 12:13). “And make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed” (Heb. 12:13).

Plain Path (Unencumbered): Plain Path (Unencumbered): “Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of my enemies. Do not deliver me to the will of my enemies” (Ps. 27:11-12a). Difficult Path (Heavenly): Difficult Path (Heavenly): “…narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Mt. 7:14). “…narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Mt. 7:14).

We live in a world filled with people who give no thought to eternity. They think in terms of life spent here on earth. But we would do well to stop and ask what our plans are for eternity. Do we have any? How concrete are they? We live in a world filled with people who give no thought to eternity. They think in terms of life spent here on earth. But we would do well to stop and ask what our plans are for eternity. Do we have any? How concrete are they?