A Lamp Unto My Feet Bible Study Website
LUKE 12:13-34
Lesson #36
A BIBLICAL FOOL
- Memory Verse: Luk 12:34
- We studied the warnings of coming judgment that would come upon the religious leaders in Luke 11.
- At the beginning of Luke 12, Luke gives us a living example of a life of prideful hypocrisy.
- Read Luk 12:13-21 The Parable of the Rich Fool
- Background note:
- Jewish law said that the oldest son inherited 2/3 and the rest of the estate was divided among the younger sons.
- The man in verse 13 is probably a younger son who did not get his legal share.
- To whom does Jesus speak this parable?
- Jesus speaks generally to a mixed multitude of people, believers and non-believers.
- Specifically Jesus speaks to the man seeking his inheritance.
- It was inappropriate for this man to ask Jesus to get involved in the problem of his legal inheritance.
- What should the man have done?
- He should have gone to the Scribes and Lawyers who mediated the law.
- Jesus rejected the man’s appeal to become legally involved because it was outside of his earthly mission.
- Instead Jesus dealt with the spiritual condition of the man’s heart.
- What was the attitude of the man in verse 13?
- The man was angry.
- The man was covetous.
- He sought personal justice at the expense of his brother and their relationship.
- This man’s whole attention was focused on material possessions with no regard for his brother.
- Jesus knew the man’s heart and saw exactly what the man needed spiritually.
- Who does the “certain rich man” in the parable represent? (16)
- This rich man represents any person, whether believer or non-believer, whose focus in life is on material possessions.
- Count the number of times the word, “I”, appears in verses 17-19.
- Of course, the number will vary according to the version of the Bible you use.
- The King James Bible has 6.
- Count the number of times the word, “my”, appears in verses 17-19.
- Again, the number will vary according to your version of the Bible.
- The King James Bible has 5.
- What is it that these words tell us about the man?
- Your homework had you count the number of these words to indicate to you the self-centered, prideful, materialistic attitude of the man so we could contrast this attitude with what should be the attitude of the Christian.
- =1= Pride in himself: The man thought that everything he had belonged to him, even his own soul.
- Your homework had you count the number of these words to indicate to you the self-centered, prideful, materialistic attitude of the man so we could contrast this attitude with what should be the attitude of the Christian.
- Background note:
In reality, everything belongs to God.
God simply loans us these things over which we are to be good stewards.
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- =2= Self-determination: This man thought that he controlled his own destiny as to what would happen in the future. (19)
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In reality, God controls everything.
God has a plan for the life of each believer that He will fulfill.
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- =3= Self-accomplishment: This man thought that his ability to accumulate wealth was all due to his own efforts.
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In reality, God gives us the ability to accumulate wealth, and God controls the circumstances in which a person gains wealth.
Man either cooperates with God or hinders God’s blessings.
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- =4= Self-aggrandizement: This man thought that the purpose of life was to have an easy life filled with comfort and pleasure. (19)
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In reality, the purpose of life is to glorify God.
The believer is to become more like Christ so as to bring God the greatest glory.
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- =5= Self-fulfillment: This man thought that success in life was based on the amount of material wealth one accumulates.
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In reality, success in life depends on how one lives his life for Christ.
Read Phil 1:21-22
Read Phil 3:8
Read Jos 1:8
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- Jesus called the man in the parable, “a fool”. (20)
- Discussion: What is your definition of the word, “fool”
- The Bible definition of a fool:
- Jesus called the man in the parable, “a fool”. (20)
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The scriptures indicate that a fool is a person who is without reason. He lacks a common sense perspective of reality of things natural and things spiritual.
Read Psa 14:1
A fool affirms that there is no God.
This is not the atheist who believes that God does not exist.
Instead, this is the person who is saying, “There is a God, but there is no God for me.”
The fool is one who is ignorant of God’s divine hand that supplies and multiplies prosperity.
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- The Biblical example of a fool:
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Read 1Sam 25:1-12, 23-25, 35, 37-38
The name, Nabal, means = fool.
Notice that the story of Nabal also has to do with an attitude of pride and covetousness.
Notice that the story of Nabal also has to do with a denial of God and spiritual priorities.
Notice that the story of Nabal also has to do with wealth instead of God.
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- The parable results:
- The parable says that very night, the man would die. (20)
- The parable results:
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This man never considered his mortality or his eternal destiny. (Mat 19:21)
Many people today live their lives without ever contemplating their mortality or their eternal destiny.
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- The same thing happened to Nabal, the Biblical example of a fool.
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- What is the central truth of the parable of the rich fool?
- A person can be rich in material wealth and poor in spiritual wealth. The wise man will seek spiritual wealth.
- After speaking the parable, Jesus goes on to teach his disciples in Luk 12:22 and following, about the proper attitude toward material possessions and God.
- The key principle:
- Seek first the kingdom of God. (31)
- Notice the number of times Jesus talks about being anxious and having fear about money or provisions in verses 22, 25, 26, and 32.
- How can you determine if you have the correct perspective?
- Luk 12:34 tells us.
- “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
- Is Jesus teaching that a Christian should not be concerned about the future or that a Christian should not have ambition to work hard and succeed in this life?
- No. It is a matter of perspective.
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Read 2Cor 5:9-10
Ambition, hard work, and planning for the future should not be out of a selfish or sensual motive.
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- Is Jesus teaching that wealth is evil?
- No it is a matter of priority and attitude. Abraham was a very wealthy man who was approved and blessed by God.
- Read 1Tim 3:7-11
- Is Jesus teaching that wealth is evil?
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- Read Luk 12:22-34
- Notice that beginning in verse 22 of Luke 12, Jesus directs the teaching to His disciples privately.
- Life is more than food and clothing. (22-23, 29)
- The evidence of the ravens. (24)
- The evidence of the lilies. (27)
- The evidence of the grass. (28)
- Seek first the kingdom of God.
- Discussion:
- What does that mean? How do you seek the kingdom of God?
- All people have priorities of what is important to them.
- You will spend your time and your money on what is important to you.
- “Fear not, little flock; for it your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (32)
- What does this verse mean?
- The believer in Jesus Christ is a child of the King, who is a loving parent desiring to bless His people in all ways. (31)
- The riches of the Kingdom of God consist of spiritual blessings including eternal life.
- The riches of the Kingdom of God consist of material blessings that meet the basic needs of food and clothing. (22-23)
- The believer should not fear for a lack of his basic needs. (32)
- However faith is required to receive anything from God. (28) (Heb 11:6)
- Life is more than food and clothing. (22-23, 29)
- The correct attitude toward possessions: (33)
- Hold spiritual things tightly.
- Hold material things loosely.
- Jesus gives us this balance of priorities in Luke 12.
- The Jews had this attitude reversed. They held spiritual things loosely and material things tightly.
- The result was that they had neither.
- Read Hag 1:6
- Notice that beginning in verse 22 of Luke 12, Jesus directs the teaching to His disciples privately.
Homework
Luke 12:35-59
- Application of Luk 12:13-34
- Consider how well you balance spiritual priorities with material priorities:
- In a 12 hour day, on an average, how much time do you spend on spiritual things such as prayer, Bible reading, helping others, witnessing, etc.?
- Of your monthly income, how much of it do you spend on spiritual things such as giving to a ministry that spreads the word of God, giving to the poor, etc.?
- Consider how well you balance spiritual priorities with material priorities:
- Preparation for Luk 12:35-59
- Read Luk 12:35-59
- What does it mean to you when the Lord tells us to be watchful? Watchful of what? Why?
- Read Luk 12:35-59
- Memory Verse: Proverbs 8:34
