Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’ … ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
Jesus tells the parable of the rich fool to unmask the lie at the heart of materialism. The man’s life was full of possessions but empty of wisdom. He built bigger barns, planned for ease, and spoke only to himself: my crops, my barns, my goods, my life. His world was small and self-centred.
But God interrupts his plans with a sobering truth: life is not measured in possessions but in being rich toward Him. Wealth without God is a hollow victory. The rich fool thought he could secure his future with things, but his soul was unprepared for eternity.
Materialism whispers, “Store more, build bigger, secure yourself.” Jesus counters with, “Be rich toward God.” Freedom from materialism begins when we shift our gaze from barns on earth to treasures in heaven.
What “bigger barns” are you tempted to build, and how might you instead become rich toward God?
Lord, protect me from greed and foolish self-reliance. Teach me that life is more than possessions, and help me to be rich toward you.
