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

“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. 12:17-20 “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. 12:17-20

“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. 12:17-20 “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. 12:17-20

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.” He Had a Plan, Although Not Well Thought Out!

“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.” He Had a Plan, Although Not Well Thought Out!

 Jesus used this parable to show the foolishness of this farmer’s plan.  Why did Jesus called him a “fool” and told him “this night your soul will be required of you”?  What made him a fool? He Had a Plan, Although Not Well Thought Out!

 His whole life consisted of the things which he possessed.  His material “things” took every plan, thought, and move of his life captive.  Jesus promised “things” (Matt. 6:33), but would be life’s necessities #1 He Thought Only of the Material

“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.” 1 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.” 1 Tim. 6:17  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 #1 He Thought Only of the Material

 What dominates our feelings, thinking, and plans?  Are we any less foolish today than this farmer when we live for the purpose of amassing “stuff” designed to meet our pleasures, and not thinking of God and others? #1 He Thought Only of the Material

 Jesus said, “And he thought within himself” (Lk. 12:17)  Another translation records it, “So he began to argue with himself.”  There is no mention of him ever going beyond himself for any needed answer! #2 He Consulted Only Himself

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) #2 He Consulted Only Himself

“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, selfish, and stubborn will result in poor decisions and tragic ends!  A person is foolish to fail to consult God on matters so critical! #2 He Consulted Only Himself

“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 #3 He Planned Only for Time

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 ! #3 He Planned Only for Time

“But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you then whose will those things be which you have provided? So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” Lk. 12:20-21 “But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you then whose will those things be which you have provided? So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” Lk. 12:20-21 #3 He Planned Only for Time

APPLICATION TODAY 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

“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 A Highway (Spiritual): A Highway (Spiritual):

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. 27:11-12 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” Matt. 7:14

Hear John 12:48Hear John 12:48 Believe John 8:24Believe John 8:24 Repent Luke 13:3Repent Luke 13:3 Confess Matt. 10:32-33Confess Matt. 10:32-33 Baptized Mark 16:16Baptized Mark 16:16 Faithful Matt. 24:13Faithful Matt. 24:13