PARABLE OF THE RICH FOOL
Luke 12:13-21
- Teacher, Tell My Brother to Divide the Inheritance (vs. 13-15)
a. The Jewish tradition gave to the oldest son a double portion of inheritance and a single portion to the rest. What does it seem the brother was asking of Jesus?
b. How does Jesus answer the man?
c. In verse 1 Jesus warned the disciples to beware of hypocrisy…what does He warn them of in vs. 15?
d. What is the point about what is hidden will be known?
- The Ground of a Certain Rich Man… (vs. 16-19)
a. What creates a dilemma for the rich man?
b. What could the man have done with his abundance?
c. What does the rich man decide to do?
d. What is the man’s only motivation in deciding what to do?
- Fool (vs. 19-21)
a. How long did the man assume he would enjoy his prosperity?
b. How long does the rich man get to enjoy his abundance?
c. Why does God call the man a fool?
d. What truth had the man not even considered that God asks about in verse 20?
e. What actions show a person to be a fool in God’s eyes (vs. 21)?
f. What does it mean to be rich toward God?
Application: The parable highlights the fleeting nature of wealth and the uncertainty of life. How might a “wise man” have solved the dilemma presented in the parable?
