YOU FOOL!

YOU FOOL!

READ:
Luke 12:16-21

The fool has said in his heart,
"There is no God." -Psalm 14:1

It seems to me rather contradictory that Jesus, who was so gentle at times (Matthew 19:13-15), would call some people fools.  Yet, as recorded in the Gospels a number of times, our Lord used this derogatory term to describe those He spoke about-especially the Pharisees (see Matthew 23:17-19; Luke 11:39-40).

Jesus also used the word fool in a parable after warning a man about coveting (Luke 12:13-21).  What made him foolish is not the act that he built bigger barns to store his abundant harvest (vv.16-18).  It would have been more foolish of him to leave it out in the fields where inclement weather would spoil it.  Nor was he foolish because of his thought that this unexpected windfall was enough to last him a long time (v.19).  After all, we are urged to follow the example of the ant in "storing up" the harvest (Proverbs 6:6-8).

What made the man foolish?  He left God out of the picture.  He was called a fool because he failed to realize that his life was in God's hands.  While he was planning carefully for his comfortable life on earth, he failed to plan for eternity and store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20).

Does your plan for the future have God in it?  You won't want to be called foolish by Him in the end. -C.P. Hia

Oh, why not turn while yet you may;
Too late, it soon will be-
A glorious life you may possess
Throughout eternity. -Anon.
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He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep
to gain what he cannot lose. - Jim Elliot

INSIGHT
In today's parable, we see the shortsightedness and foolishness of materialism.  The rich man's abundant joy over his increasing net worth was contrasted by his lack of an eternal perspective.  Ironically, death came to him quite unexpectedly.  The rich landowner did not have a place for God in his life; he was self-absorbed.  A proper perspective begins with reverting God and submitting one's activities to His sovereign care.  We read in Proverbs 9:10 that "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom."  And Proverbs 1:7 tells us:  "Fools despise wisdom and instruction."  The parable of the rich man reminds us to seek God for wisdom and not to make a god out of success.

Have a blessed night and weekend.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace