Speaking to the people, he went on, “Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot.”
Then he told them this story: “The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. He talked to himself: ‘What can I do? My barn isn’t big enough for this harvest.’ Then he said, ‘Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll gather in all my grain and goods, and I’ll say to myself, Self, you’ve done well! You’ve got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!’ “Just then God showed up and said, ‘Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goods—who gets it?’ “That’s what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God.” Luke 12:15-21 MSG
Do you find yourself always wanting for more? Are you consumed with wanting more wealth or possessions? If so, God, Himself, calls you a fool. And here’s why: “Life is not defined by what you have, even if you have a lot.”
Many are defined by their “stuff.” There’s a popular saying that says, “The person with the most toys, when he dies, wins.” Really? That’s your focus, your purpose? No wonder God calls this type of person a fool…filling his or her life with self and not with God.
This rich man was so consumed with his big harvest, patting himself on the back, building a new barn to hold all his “stuff” and gathering in all his grain and goods…that while he was congratulating himself about his early retirement…God appeared on the scene, reminding him that he spent his entire life with the wrong focus.
All on me, me, me! Look at me! I’ve got it made. All my riches. All my abundance. All my ability. And now I’m gonna really live! Take it easy and have the time of my life.
Not so fast. He’s forgetting one thing. One very important thing. God is in control. God gives you the ability to make wealth.
You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth. Deuteronomy 8:17, 18
No wonder God called him a fool. Wasted his life on himself. And that very night his life was demanded of him. What does he have to show for all his efforts? Nothing. Nothing that lasts forever.
This begs the question: What are you filling your barn with? Self or God? Only you can answer that. And one day we will have to answer before God. So much better to answer that now.
