Luke 12:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God."

NIV: "This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God."

NASB: Such is the one who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich in relation to God.'

CSB: "That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God."

NLT: Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.'

KJV: So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

NKJV: “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Jesus finishes the parable of the rich fool. A member of the crowd swarming around Jesus and the disciples demands settlement of an inheritance issue between himself and his brother. Jesus refuses and tells a parable about a rich man who reaps a good harvest and decides to retire. That night, he dies, his riches go to another, and his soul is left without a relationship with God. This is the fate of someone who gathers earthly riches but does not spread the kingdom of God (Luke 12:13–20).

Next, Jesus will return His attention to the disciples. He has already spoken about having courage in front of authorities who can kill, knowing God protects the eternal lives of His children (Luke 12:4–12). Jesus will go on to encourage the disciples to submit their physical worries to God, like food and clothing—even giving those things up if it will serve the kingdom (Luke 12:22–34). They will need to sacrifice the time and work they could use to benefit themselves, remaining alert for His return (Luke 12:35–48). Finally, they may need to sacrifice their closest relationships if their family members refuse to follow Jesus (Luke 12:51–53).

Then, Jesus will put His full attention on the crowd, expanding on this message. He will tell them they can use signs to predict the weather, but don't notice that the kingdom of God has arrived (Luke 12:54–56). He will tell them to settle accounts with those they have wronged or they may find themselves imprisoned and broke (Luke 12:57–59). And He will expound on the need to reconcile with God. Like the rich farmer, no one knows when they will die. To concentrate on pleasures in this world at the expense of eternity is the most foolish choice of all (Luke 13:1–9).

Luke 12:13–21 records Jesus taking advantage of an interruption to explain a proper perspective of wealth. Jesus has been warning the disciples that faithfulness to Him may require their deaths. A man in the crowd, possibly shouting in the middle of that teaching, demands Jesus settle a family conflict over an inheritance. Jesus declines that request but warns the crowd against temporary, earthly treasures if they distract from their relationship with God. He will return to this theme, telling the crowd to reconcile with people and God or risk earthly and eternal ruin (Luke 12:54—13:9). This parable is unique to Luke's Gospel.

Jesus teaches the disciples about proper priorities. This includes recognizing that God knows all things, even secrets. Believers should honor God more than they fear death, or than they worry about things like food and clothes. Christians are to remain ready for Christ's return, even as faith separates those who believe from those who do not. These ideas revolve around the central theme of verse 34: that a person's heart reflects what they value most.

Luke 12:1—13:9 compares the world with the kingdom of God. Jesus has condemned the hypocrisy of the Pharisees (Luke 11:14–54). He now instructs His disciples to reject the fame and security that Pharisees crave, and hold lightly to their lives, wealth, security, and even family. He then warns the crowd to be wise about their relationships with other people and with God. The next two units each include a miracle and teaching on God's kingdom and salvation (Luke 13:10—15:32). Then the final section in the "travelogue" repeats that three-unit pattern (Luke 16:1—19:27) before Jesus arrives in Jerusalem.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.