Luke 12:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.

NIV: Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain.

NASB: And he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and I will store all my grain and my goods there.

CSB: I will do this,' he said. 'I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there.

NLT: Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods.

KJV: And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

NKJV: So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods.

A man in a large crowd shouted out for Jesus to settle an inheritance dispute. Jesus responds by telling the crowd a parable about a rich man who, thanks to a good harvest, has become even wealthier. He now needs to decide what to do with his grain. He could give it to the needy (Proverbs 11:26). He could sell it and give the money to the temple to support the priests. Or he could use the money to benefit his community, like building a synagogue (Luke 7:2–5). He might have done any number of things that would have followed God's plan. He does none of these things.

His heart is filled with covetousness: with greed and selfishness. He has much, but he wants more. So, he decides to build bigger barns, store the bounty, and live a life of leisure. He doesn't understand that he will lose his life this night. All those riches will mean less than nothing since they distracted him from seeking the riches of God's grace (Luke 12:13–21).

This view resembles Isaiah 22:12–13 where the Israelites celebrated when they should have mourned. Both reflect Ecclesiastes 9:1–10, written from the point of view of someone who only keeps in mind his earthly life. The man in Ecclesiastes knows that death will come to all, whether they are righteous, unrighteous, wise, or foolish. He decides it's best to work hard, enjoy one's blessings, and not worry about what will happen after death.

Here, specifically, Jesus is warning the brother and the crowd that wealth can distract them from reconciling with God. After teaching the disciples a bit more, He will return to the theme, warning that lifespans are uncertain and the time to repent may be short (Luke 13:1–9). But Jesus also says something about the personal relationship the brother is neglecting. He should seek to reconcile with those he is at odds with—in this case his brother—before seeking justice from an outside party. The verdict may not go his way, and he may find himself bankrupt and in prison (Luke 12:57–59).

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.