[The rich fool said to himself] “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat ..." (Luke 12:19,20)

[The rich fool said to himself] “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” 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?’ (Luke 12:19,20;  see parable in Luke 12:13-21 )

 

Some years ago a very wealthy and well know individual passed away. He has achieved much in life having accumulated a vast fortune and fame. Not surprisingly, the funeral was very well attended. It appeared everyone of any prominence had come to pay their respects. Notable politicians and celebrities were present as was the the media who were there to cover the event. During the ceremony a reporter probing for information sought out a friend of the deceased. No one seemed to know exactly how much had been accumulated. “Does anyone know how much was left” inquired the reporter. The deceased’s friend turned to face the reporter and replied. “Oh yes, we know what was left! We know exactly how much down he left. He left it ALL”!!!

The rich man in Jesus’ parable was not a fool because he was rich. He was a fool because his riches were all that concerned him. He gave no thought to the future, his eternal future. Life was all about the here and the now. He lived for the things of this world!! A fool in God’s eyes is one who lives for the passing pleasures and things of this world rather than the One who made all things. There are no hitches on a hearse! We will take nothing of this world with us when we leave. All will be left.

This is actually not entirely true. Some will leave with far more that can ever be accumulated in this world. The child of God will inherit an eternal kingdom (Rom 8:17). That said, no one who has received Jesus as Lord and Saviour cares as much for the kingdom as they do for the King! What do you treasure? Will you have it for eternity?