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

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