Teacher Notes
Bible Stories for Adults
The Parable of the Foolish Rich Man
Luke 12:13-34
Welcome and Announcements
Next Week - Jesus Heals Ten People with Leprosy (Luke 17:11-19)
Bible Words to Remember:
Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. ... Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:15, 32
Opening Prayer
The Wisdom of God (Luke 15:1)
Besides His powers, what attracted people to Jesus that was evident from His childhood?
Luke 2:47, 52 = His great wisdom and understanding
What happened when the Jewish leaders tried to use His reputation for wisdom against Him?
Luke 20:20, 26, 39-40 = They were unable to trap Him and they gave up
Why were they unable to trap Him in a bad answer to a difficult question?
1 Corinthians 1:18-25 = Jesus had God's wisdom which far exceeded that of man
Besides the Jewish leaders who tried to trap Him, did anyone else come to hear Jesus' wisdom?
Luke 15:1 = His wisdom was one of the main reasons people came to see Jesus
The Judge (Luke 12:13-14)
What request of Jesus' wisdom prompted the story in today's lesson?
Luke 12:13 = Someone asked Jesus to help clear up his inheritance
How did Jesus wisely respond to this request? = He should go to the courts with trouble
Luke 12:14 = He rebuked the man for asking Him to take sides in a clear legal issue
The term man was a severe form of address. Where else do we see this word used?
Luke 22:58-60 = Peter used it twice to adamantly deny he was associated with Jesus
The Inheritance (Numbers 27:8-11)
Why was the man wrong in looking for Jesus' wisdom in this question?
Numbers 27:8-11 = Dividing an inheritance was defined very clearly and plainly
Should there ever be a question about how an inheritance should be given?
Deuteronomy 21:15-17 = No, it was clear even in potentially confusing situations
Note: First-born received a double share of the inheritance
Using Israel and the land as an example, what did people have to do to get their inheritance?
Leviticus 20:24 = Just accept it, God gave it to them
Didn't the Israelites have to fight the Canaanites to get their inheritance? = See Judges, etc
Deuteronomy 4:37-38 = No, God drove them out and gave the inheritance
What condition did God have in His covenant for the Israelites to keep their inheritance?
Deuteronomy 6:13-15 = Fear and serve Him only - or you will lose your inheritance
Our Inheritance (Hebrews 9:15)
What inheritance do we have as part of God's new covenant through Jesus?
Hebrews 9:15 = The promised eternal inheritance
Where will we receive our eternal inheritance?
1 Peter 1:3-4 = It is kept fresh in heaven for us
Do we need to be as good as we can to receive this inheritance?
Galatians 3:17-18 = Inheritance doesn't depend on the law, it is God's promised gift
How do we know that we will receive this inheritance?
Ephesians 1:13-14 = We have been marked with the Spirit to guarantee our inheritance
What great Old Testament prophet understood the importance of the inheritance of the Spirit?
2 Kings 2:9 = Elisha asked Elijah for double portion of his spirit (first-born inheritance)
Greed (Luke 12:15)
Why was Jesus so bothered by this man's request?
Luke 12:15 = He saw strong signs of covetousness and greed
With all of the other sins displayed around Him, why would Jesus be so upset at seeing greed?
Colossians 3:5 = Greed is idolatry - greed makes a god out of possessions
How important is it to God that His people avoid greed, or covetousness?
Exodus 20:17 = 20% of God's central commands for mankind deal specifically with greed
Why is the idolatry of greed such a horrible sin to be avoided?
Ephesians 5:5 = Greedy people will not receive heaven's inheritance
Greed - An Unforgivable Sin? (Luke 18:24-27)
How could simple greed keep someone from going to heaven?
Luke 16:13 = Can't serve both God and mammon (Heb for riches)
Is there any way for a greedy person to be saved? = Repentance - A change of mind and soul
Acts 3:19 = He can repent and turn from greed to God
How easy is it for someone to turn from greed?
Luke 18:24-25 = Very hard, easier for a camel to go through eye of a needle
Does this mean it is impossible to be rich and go to heaven?
Luke 18:26-27 = It is not impossible with God - serve God or mammon?
The Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21)
What story did Jesus then tell to make sure the people understood His point?
Luke 12:16-20 = The Parable of the Rich Fool
How does this story fit with Jesus' message on greed? (Reread with emphasis on I and my)
Luke 12:16-19 = Twelve I's & my's in only 3 verses
How does God show this rich farmer that his wealth is a foolish god?
Luke 12:20 = He takes his life before he can enjoy his god of wealth
Is Jesus here saying that it is wrong to be wealthy and to prepare for the future?
Luke 12:21 = No, it is foolish to be rich in anything but poor in God
Stored Treasures (Matthew 6:19-21)
How does this rich farmer fit a description David gave of an evil man?
Psalm 52:7 = He trusted in his wealth instead of God
Do only rich or cut-throat people need to hear this lesson?
Matthew 10:37-38 = No, there are many things besides wealth that one could covet
What treasures should the rich farmer have stored?
Matthew 6:19-20 = Treasures in heaven that would be secure
Why would treasures in heaven be so secure?
Matthew 6:21 = Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also
Getting Rich (1 Timothy 6:7-8; Luke 12:22-32)
What should we remember when we are tempted to store treasures on earth?
1 Timothy 6:7 = We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it
There are no pockets in a shroud. You don't see a U-Haul behind a hearse.
How much earthly treasures should it take to make us content?
1 Timothy 6:8 = Just our earthly needs - food and clothing
What did Jesus say after the parable that tells how much we should worry about these needs?
Luke 12:22-31 = God knows we need these things so He will take care of us
Besides giving us these things, what more valuable thing has God given us?
Luke 12:32 = The kingdom of heaven
Getting Rich (1 Timothy 6:9-10)
What about all of the people who aren't content with food and clothing and want to get rich?
1 Timothy 6:9 = They fall into a trap that leads to ruin and destruction
Will going to church every week keep up out of this trap?
Matthew 13:22 = The deceitfulness of wealth can choke the seed of the gospel
Is this because money is so evil?
1 Timothy 6:10 = Money isn't evil, the love of money (greed) is the root of all evil
Being Rich (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
What if we have more than basic needs? Do we need to get rid of our material wealth?
1 Timothy 6:17 = No, just don't put your hope in wealth - put it in God
What should we remember about our wealth? = Reread also last part of 1 Tim 6:17
Acts 17:24-25 = God gave us everything we have
Why might God bless us with material blessings and wealth?
Genesis 12:2 = We are blessed to be a blessing
How does Paul describe this to Timothy?
1 Timothy 6:18 = Be rich in good deeds, be generous & share with others
What does this do to the treasures we are storing up?
1 Timothy 6:19 = It results in us storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth
Rich or Poor (Proverbs 30:7-9)
Did Jesus agree that giving from what God gives us can store treasures in heaven
Luke 12:33 = Yes
Does this mean that we can get to heaven by giving money to others?
Luke 12:34 = No, it can be a visible result of trusting God instead of money
In conclusion, should we ask to be rich to bless others or to be poor to keep from temptation?
Proverbs 30:7-9 = Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread
What was the one material request Jesus included in His example of how to pray?
Matthew 6:11 = Give us today our daily bread - take care of our needs (not desires)
Closing Prayer
For Further Study (Luke 12:22-30)
What six reasons does Jesus give why we should not worry about material things?
Luke 12:22-23 = A person is more than a physical body; Food & clothes are not top needs
Luke 12:24 = God loves and cares for you more than you know
Luke 12:25-26 = Worrying doesn't accomplish anything
Luke 12:27 = The best that we can do on our own doesn't come close to what God can do
Luke 12:28 = If God takes great care of the valueless, He'll care more for you than you do
Luke 12:29-30 = God knows what you need and will provide it
Copyright © 1998 by Kurt Rosenhagen
Use of this material is provided free of charge for use in personal or group Bible Study, no permission needed.
The author reserves all rights for use in published material or in uses where fees are involved.
For permission, or to provide your comments, insights and feedback, contact the author at:
kurt@biblestoriesforadults.com