A FOOLISH FARMERA FOOLISH FARMER

Luke 12:16-20Luke 12:16-20

“A certain rich man brought forth plentifully”

“A certain rich man brought forth plentifully”

Lk. 12:16Lk. 12:16

““The ground of a certain rich man yieldedThe ground of a certain rich man yieldedplentifully: And plentifully: And he thoughthe thought within within

himselfhimself, saying, What shall , saying, What shall I doI do, since , since I haveI have no room to store no room to store my cropsmy crops? So ? So he saidhe said, , I willI will do this: do this: I willI will pull down my barns, and build pull down my barns, and build

greater; and there greater; and there I willI will store all store all my cropsmy crops and and my goodsmy goods. And . And I willI will saysay to to my soulmy soul, Soul, , Soul, you you

havehave many goods laid up for many years; many goods laid up for many years; take take your easeyour ease, eat drink, and be merry. , eat drink, and be merry.

But God said to him, You fool, this night your But God said to him, You fool, this night your soul will be required of you; then whose will soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?”those things be which you have provided?”

(Lk. 12:16-20).(Lk. 12:16-20).

““The ground of a certain rich man yieldedThe ground of a certain rich man yieldedplentifully: And plentifully: And he thoughthe thought within within

himselfhimself, saying, What shall , saying, What shall I doI do, since , since I haveI have no room to store no room to store my cropsmy crops? So ? So he saidhe said, , I willI will do this: do this: I willI will pull down my barns, and build pull down my barns, and build

greater; and there greater; and there I willI will store all store all my cropsmy crops and and my goodsmy goods. And . And I willI will saysay to to my soulmy soul, Soul, , Soul, you you

havehave many goods laid up for many years; many goods laid up for many years; take take your easeyour ease, eat drink, and be merry. , eat drink, and be merry.

But God said to him, You fool, this night your But God said to him, You fool, this night your soul will be required of you; then whose will soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?”those things be which you have provided?”

(Lk. 12:16-20).(Lk. 12:16-20).

He Had a Plan Although Not WellHe Had a Plan Although Not WellThought Out! Thought Out! He Had a Plan Although Not WellHe Had a Plan Although Not WellThought Out! Thought Out!

• He He thoughtthought withinwithin himselfhimself::• He He thoughtthought withinwithin himselfhimself::

“ “I will pull I will pull down mydown my barns.”barns.”

“ “I will pull I will pull down mydown my barns.”barns.”

“ “I will buildI will build greater ones”greater ones” “ “I will buildI will build greater ones”greater ones”

“ “I will storeI will store my crops and my crops and my goods.”my goods.”

“ “I will storeI will store my crops and my crops and my goods.”my goods.”

“… “…take my ease,take my ease, eat, drink, andeat, drink, and be merry.”be merry.”

“… “…take my ease,take my ease, eat, drink, andeat, drink, and be merry.”be merry.”

Jesus used this Jesus used this parable to showparable to showthe foolishness ofthe foolishness ofthis farmer’s this farmer’s plan.plan.

Jesus used this Jesus used this parable to showparable to showthe foolishness ofthe foolishness ofthis farmer’s this farmer’s plan.plan.

• Have you everHave you everwondered whywondered whyJesus called him a Jesus called him a ““fool” and told him “this night fool” and told him “this night your soul will be required of your soul will be required of you”?you”?

• Have you everHave you everwondered whywondered whyJesus called him a Jesus called him a ““fool” and told him “this night fool” and told him “this night your soul will be required of your soul will be required of you”?you”?• What are the earmarks of a foolish What are the earmarks of a foolish

man?man?• What are the earmarks of a foolish What are the earmarks of a foolish man?man?

HE THOUGHT ONLY OF THE MATERIAL!HE THOUGHT ONLY OF THE MATERIAL! HE THOUGHT ONLY OF THE MATERIAL!HE THOUGHT ONLY OF THE MATERIAL!

• His whole lifeHis whole lifeconsisted of theconsisted of thethings which hethings which hepossessed.possessed.

• His whole lifeHis whole lifeconsisted of theconsisted of thethings which hethings which hepossessed.possessed.

• His materialHis material““things” took every plan, thought, things” took every plan, thought, and move of his life captive.and move of his life captive.

• His materialHis material““things” took every plan, thought, things” took every plan, thought, and move of his life captive.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!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!but would be life’s necessities, not toys!

““Command those who are rich in Command those who are rich in this present age not to be this present age not to be

haughty, nor trust in uncertain haughty, nor trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, whoriches but in the living God, who

gives us richly all things to enjoy.” gives us richly all things to enjoy.” (I Tim. 6:17)(I Tim. 6:17)

““Command those who are rich in Command those who are rich in this present age not to be this present age not to be

haughty, nor trust in uncertain haughty, nor trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, whoriches but in the living God, who

gives us richly all things to enjoy.” gives us richly all things to enjoy.” (I Tim. 6:17)(I Tim. 6:17)

• God gives things to enjoy after needs areGod gives things to enjoy after needs aresought and met:sought and met:• God gives things to enjoy after needs areGod gives things to enjoy after needs aresought and met:sought and met:

“…“…one’s life does not consist in one’s life does not consist in the the

abundance of the things he abundance of the things he possesses.”possesses.”(Lk. 12:15)(Lk. 12:15)

“…“…one’s life does not consist in one’s life does not consist in the the

abundance of the things he abundance of the things he possesses.”possesses.”(Lk. 12:15)(Lk. 12:15)

• What dominates our feelings, thinking, and plans?

• What dominates our feelings, thinking, and plans?• Do spiritual things have such little Do spiritual things have such little importance with us that other importance with us that other influences occupy a more prominent influences occupy a more prominent position in our affections?position in our affections?

• Do spiritual things have such little Do spiritual things have such little importance with us that other importance with us that other influences occupy a more prominent influences occupy a more prominent position in our affections?position in our affections?

• Are we any less foolish today than Are we any less foolish today than thisthisfarmer when we live for the purpose offarmer when we live for the purpose ofamassing “stuff” designed to meet ouramassing “stuff” designed to meet ourpleasures, thinking not of God and pleasures, thinking not of God and others?others?

• Are we any less foolish today than Are we any less foolish today than thisthisfarmer when we live for the purpose offarmer when we live for the purpose ofamassing “stuff” designed to meet ouramassing “stuff” designed to meet ourpleasures, thinking not of God and pleasures, thinking not of God and others?others?

HE CONSULTED ONLY HIMSELF!HE CONSULTED ONLY HIMSELF!HE CONSULTED ONLY HIMSELF!HE CONSULTED ONLY HIMSELF!

• Jesus said, Jesus said, “And he thought within“And he thought withinhimself”himself” (Lk. 12:17). (Lk. 12:17). • Jesus said, Jesus said, “And he thought within“And he thought withinhimself”himself” (Lk. 12:17). (Lk. 12:17).

• Another translation Another translation records it, records it, “So he began “So he began to argue with himself.”to argue with himself.”

• Another translation Another translation records it, records it, “So he began “So he began to argue with himself.”to argue with himself.”

• There is no mention There is no mention of him ever going of him ever going beyond himself for any needed beyond himself for any needed answer! answer!

• There is no mention There is no mention of him ever going of him ever going beyond himself for any needed beyond himself for any needed answer! answer!

• Inspiration spoke to hisInspiration spoke to hisneeds many years earlier:needs many years earlier:• Inspiration spoke to hisInspiration spoke to hisneeds many years earlier:needs many years earlier:

““O Lord, I know the way of O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to not in man who walks to

direct his own steps”direct his own steps”(Jer. 10:23)(Jer. 10:23)

““O Lord, I know the way of O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to not in man who walks to

direct his own steps”direct his own steps”(Jer. 10:23)(Jer. 10:23)

““The steps of a good manThe steps of a good manare ordered by the Lord”are ordered by the Lord”

(Ps. 37:23)(Ps. 37:23)

““The steps of a good manThe steps of a good manare ordered by the Lord”are ordered by the Lord”

(Ps. 37:23)(Ps. 37:23)

““There is a way whichThere is a way whichseems right to a man, seems right to a man, but its end is the way but its end is the way of death”of death” (Prov. 14:12). (Prov. 14:12).

““There is a way whichThere is a way whichseems right to a man, seems right to a man, but its end is the way but its end is the way of death”of death” (Prov. 14:12). (Prov. 14:12).

• Being headstrong,Being headstrong,selfish, and selfish, and stubbornstubbornwill result in poor will result in poor decisions and tragic decisions and tragic ends!ends!

• Being headstrong,Being headstrong,selfish, and selfish, and stubbornstubbornwill result in poor will result in poor decisions and tragic decisions and tragic ends!ends!• A person is foolish to A person is foolish to

fail to consult God onfail to consult God onmatters so critical!matters so critical!

• A person is foolish to A person is foolish to fail to consult God onfail to consult God onmatters so critical!matters so critical!

• This man had a stewardship problem;This man had a stewardship problem;he should have consulted God on the he should have consulted God on the matter rather than being so presumptuousmatter rather than being so presumptuousbecause all that hebecause all that hehandled came from handled came from God.God.

• He had no right He had no right totoignore God in thisignore God in thismatter.matter.• His making theHis making themistake shows us that he lacked mistake shows us that he lacked ability toability toexercise discernment and good exercise discernment and good judgment.judgment.

HE PLANNED ONLY FOR TIMEHE PLANNED ONLY FOR TIMEHE PLANNED ONLY FOR TIMEHE PLANNED ONLY FOR TIME

• Hear the account once again: Hear the account once again: ‘And‘AndI will say to my soul,I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; many goods laid up for many years; take your take your ease, eat, ease, eat, drink anddrink andbe merry.”’be merry.”’

• Hear the account once again: Hear the account once again: ‘And‘AndI will say to my soul,I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; many goods laid up for many years; take your take your ease, eat, ease, eat, drink anddrink andbe merry.”’be merry.”’

(Lk. 12:19)(Lk. 12:19)(Lk. 12:19)(Lk. 12:19)

Elements of sadness to this Elements of sadness to this ffoolish oolish ffarmer’s armer’s ffuture (He had an “fff”uture (He had an “fff”program in place as well).program in place as well).

Elements of sadness to this Elements of sadness to this ffoolish oolish ffarmer’s armer’s ffuture (He had an “fff”uture (He had an “fff”program in place as well).program in place as well).

Used his last day on earth thinkingUsed his last day on earth thinking about years he did not have!about years he did not have! Used his last day on earth thinkingUsed his last day on earth thinking about years he did not have!about years he did not have!

His plans reached into the futureHis plans reached into the future without having one!without having one! His plans reached into the futureHis 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 counted on time, but had none!He counted on time, but had none!

He wasted the time that he did haveHe wasted the time that he did have and ignored eternity!and ignored eternity! He wasted the time that he did haveHe wasted the time that he did have and ignored eternity!and ignored eternity!F U T

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F U T

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CONCLUSION:CONCLUSION:

• Old Paths (Right):• Old Paths (Right):

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

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

• A Highway (Spiritual):A Highway (Spiritual):• A Highway (Spiritual):A Highway (Spiritual):

““If you were raised with If you were raised with Christ, seek those things Christ, seek those things which are above, wherewhich are above, whereChrist is sitting at the Christ is sitting at the right hand of God”right hand of God” (Col. (Col. 3:1).3:1).

““If you were raised with If you were raised with Christ, seek those things Christ, seek those things which are above, wherewhich are above, whereChrist is sitting at the Christ is sitting at the right hand of God”right hand of God” (Col. (Col. 3:1).3:1).

• Straight Path (Focused): Straight Path (Focused): • Straight Path (Focused): Straight Path (Focused):

““And make straight paths And make straight paths for your feet, so that what for your feet, so that what is lame may not be is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be dislocated, but rather be healed” healed” (Heb. 12:13).(Heb. 12:13).

““And make straight paths And make straight paths for your feet, so that what for your feet, so that what is lame may not be is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be dislocated, but rather be healed” healed” (Heb. 12:13).(Heb. 12:13).

• Plain Path (Unencumbered):Plain Path (Unencumbered):• Plain Path (Unencumbered):Plain Path (Unencumbered):

““Teach me your way, O Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me in a Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of plain path, because of my enemies. Do not my enemies. Do not deliver me to the will of deliver me to the will of my enemies”my enemies” (Ps. 27:11- (Ps. 27:11-12a).12a).

““Teach me your way, O Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me in a Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of plain path, because of my enemies. Do not my enemies. Do not deliver me to the will of deliver me to the will of my enemies”my enemies” (Ps. 27:11- (Ps. 27:11-12a).12a).• Difficult Path (Heavenly):Difficult Path (Heavenly):• Difficult Path (Heavenly):Difficult Path (Heavenly):

“…“…narrow is the gate andnarrow is the gate anddifficult is the way which difficult is the way which leads to life, and there areleads to life, and there arefew who find it”few who find it” (Mt. 7:14). (Mt. 7:14).

“…“…narrow is the gate andnarrow is the gate anddifficult is the way which difficult is the way which leads to life, and there areleads to life, and there arefew who find it”few who find it” (Mt. 7:14). (Mt. 7:14).

We live in a world filled with people whogive no thought to eternity. They think interms of life spent here on earth. But wewould 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 whogive no thought to eternity. They think interms of life spent here on earth. But wewould do well to stop and ask what our

plans are for eternity. Do we have any? How concrete are they?