The Storyteller: The Rich Fool Day 4

Mine

He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Luke 12:17 (NLT)

One of the biggest things we miss as Americans reading the Bible is the idea of community. We simply cannot fathom how close the peoples in this culture were to one another. Our culture's concept of individualism just isn't present, unless pointed out as the exception, as in the parable of Rich Fool.

To me, this guy sounds prudent. Abundantly wealthy, he was making choices to protect his wealth for the future. It’s smart to plan for retirement. Yet, Jesus says God calls him a fool! What gives?

Back to the cultural thing: Notice how the rich man talks with no one but himself on what to do with his wealth. That's a major no-no in biblical culture. People made ALL their decisions as a community. For this guy to be making a decision by himself means he has cut himself off from his neighbors. He has chosen wealth over people. God doesn't think much of the man's decision.

I wonder, is God calling me a fool too? The rich man’s community could have been the voice showing him how God had blessed him in order to be a blessing to others. When I consider my wealth, do I make my decisions in isolation, or do I turn to that community God has placed around me in order to speak His wisdom into my life decisions? Who draws you out of isolation? Ask God to give you a community wise in His ways.