Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Parable Of The Rich Fool – Luke 12:16-21 – Growing As Disciples

And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”‘ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:16-21 (NIV)

A Fool

Don’t be a fool. What do you mean by that? Don’t waste your life on what doesn’t matter and what doesn’t count. Like what? That’s a good question. Thanks. But, it is a good question for you to answer for yourself. Why is that? It wouldn’t do any good for me to tell you what isn’t important; you have to become convinced of it yourself. Are you wanting me to tell you what I think is unimportant? You got it, yes I do.

Alright, let me first say that I don’t have the answer to this question completely figured out. That’s a good place to start. What’s that? Admitting that you lack wisdom and may need some help, that’s a very good place to start. Yes, I think it is. In the past and even now, I’ve had my priorities mixed up. How so? I really like the things of this world. Do you mean material possessions? Yes, that’s exactly what I mean. Do you think “like” is a strong enough word? Probably not. Let’s say that I have loved the things of this world. That sounds like a more accurate description. Yes, it does. Anyhow, my love for the things of this world captured my attention and have driven the pursuits of my life. What have you been pursuing? I have been pursuing more. More of what? More of anything and everything that I have wanted at the time. Have you found that your pursuit and possession of the things of this world has left you quite satisfied? No, not at all. Once I’ve acquired what I have pursued so vigorously, I wondered why I had wanted it so much. Then the next best thing would come along and I would start all over again pursuing it. This all sounds quite tiring to me. Yes, it is. What have all these pursuits of your taught you?

I have learned that happiness, meaning, and direction in life cannot be found in things. I have learned that my materialistic and worldly desires will lead me in the wrong direction. What direction is that? It’s a direction that leads me deeper into self-centeredness and away from you. Yes, it does. I have learned that there is no value in storing up worldly possessions. Why is that? Worldly possessions will not satisfy me and even if they did, I can’t take them with me into the next life. You’re right on both counts.

What has been satisfying to you? It has been satisfying to turn my life over to you and pursue what you want me to pursue. Tell me more about that. You have become the pursuit of my life. I want to love and pursue you with all my heart, mind, soul and body. You have satisfied and filled my empty soul. You have given me meaning and purpose in life. The things of this world are loosing their grip on me. You now have your grip on me. I want to know you, love you, and follow you wherever you lead me to do whatever you ask of me. How do you feel about all of this? Once I thought I was rich and I was really poor. Now I feel like I have discovered true riches in living my life with and for you. Yes, you have. I can take these riches into the next life with me. Yes, you can.

Lord, much of my life I have wanted the riches and pleasures of life. I have been enticed and captivated by them. Forgive me. Help me to love, follow, and serve you as I store up treasures in heaven in my relationship with you.  Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

 Parables – Luke 12-13-21 – The Rich Fool – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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