Rich Fool or Wise Steward?

In the parable of the rich fool, Jesus tells the story of a man who was wise by worldly standards (Luke 12:13-21). His ground produced a bumper crop. And rather than waste his earnings, he reinvested his money to build bigger barns. He was going to set himself up for life, plan an early retirement and live off his wise investments. But God struck him down in the prime of his life, instantly calling him to account for his self-centred view of his wealth. All his plans came to a crashing halt. Jesus called him a ‘fool’ because he stored up things for himself but was ‘not rich towards God’.

We may not come to such a dramatic end, but we should take this strong warning to heart. One day he will call each of us to account for how we have used our wealth – just like ‘the rich fool’. And before that great day it’s worth asking ourselves how God would want us to use our money.

Paul gives a clear set of instructions in 1Timothy 6:17-19.

1. Don’t be arrogant, nor put your hope in wealth (6:17). Don’t live as if you live your life independently of God. He is the source of your wealth who richly provides everything for our enjoyment. It is he and not your wealth, which is the source of your life and your security.

2. Be rich in good deeds, generous and willing to share (6:18). Remember that your money is not your own. God wants you to be generous as he has been to you through the gospel. Remember that ‘for your sakes he became poor, so that through his poverty you might become rich.’ (2Cor 8:9)

3. Invest in the treasures that last (6:19). Let the gospel and the advance of God’s kingdom shape your priorities. When you stand before Jesus on the final day you won’t regret anything you’ve given for him or sacrificed for his cause. You won’t regret the souls that have been won through your financial partnership in the gospel. You won’t regret the day when he says to you, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant’, when you’ve been faithful with all he has given you.

In a wealthy society like ours, when we have so many options, when every advertisement tells you that you need more, it takes great discipline to say ‘NO’. It takes discipline to plan our giving and our spending. It takes great discipline to set a percentage figure of how much we will give and to review this regularly. It takes great discipline not to bite off more than we can chew – not to need another trinket, not to upgrade our car or our house, so that we can be more generous to the greater needs of others and the eternal needs of the gospel. God promises that we will never be a loser by him (Luke 18:29-30). And as we commit our lives and our wealth to him today we can look forward to his rich welcome.

If God were to assess the management of your financial resources today, what do you think he would say? And when you finally stand before Jesus on the last day, how will you answer him?

Pastor Owen Seto – English Assistant Pastor/elder