The rich man's immediate thought isn't about just getting more space, but about completely rebuilding and expanding, revealing a deep-seated belief that his wealth is entirely his own creation. He focuses all his energy on storing "all his produce and his goods" for himself, with no consideration for God or the needs of others.
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. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just begun teaching about the dangers of greed after a man interrupts him with a dispute over an inheritance. In response, Jesus tells the parable of a rich man whose fields produced an abundant harvest, prompting the man to plan how he'll tear down his old storage and build bigger ones for all his wealth. This parable highlights the man's focus solely on accumulating more possessions for himself, with no thought of God or others.
Imagine having a huge goal, a concrete plan, and all the resources to achieve it. This rich man had just that. But what was missing from his grand vision?
The parable of the rich man reveals a man consumed by his own self-sufficiency. His immediate, impulsive decision to tear down his barns and build bigger ones was made entirely on his own terms.
A Self-Made God
He didn't consult God, didn't consider God's will, and certainly didn't plan to share his bounty with God's kingdom or the poor. His plan was his plan, focused solely on his comfort and security. This 'doing' was all about personal accumulation, with no room for divine direction or human compassion.
The Illusion of Control
His 'great plan' was rooted in the illusion that he was in complete control of his life and possessions. He believed his hard work and shrewdness were the sole sources of his wealth, never acknowledging the Giver of life and sustainer of all things.
This man felt his barns were full of 'good things.' But what did he truly value? And does Jesus agree with his definition?
Jesus highlights a stark contrast between the rich man's definition of 'good things' and God's. For the rich man, 'good' was synonymous with material possessions and accumulated wealth stored in his barns.
My Goods, My Harvest
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He exclaims, 'my grain and my goods,' and 'all my fruits.' This possessive language reveals his entire focus: what he owned and what he could keep for himself. He saw his wealth as the ultimate source of satisfaction and security, the only 'good' worth pursuing.
God's Definition of Good
Jesus, however, implies that true 'good things' are not earthly treasures that can be stored away and eventually lost. He subtly points towards spiritual riches, generosity, and a life lived in obedience to God – things that have eternal value.
Understand the original words
psychē · Greek Noun
Refers to the inner self, the seat of emotions, will, and eternal life; in a spiritual context, it is the immortal part of man that stands before God in judgment.
This passage describes the same pursuit of material wealth and possessions as the ultimate source of fulfillment, mirroring the rich fool's mindset before his sudden end.
Matthew 6:19-21Jesus directly contrasts storing up treasures on earth, like the rich fool's barns, with storing up treasures in heaven, highlighting the folly of earthly accumulation.
Luke 12:20This verse immediately follows the parable and serves as God's direct judgment on the rich fool's self-serving plan, revealing the ultimate emptiness of his earthly focus.
Proverbs 27:1This proverb speaks to the uncertainty of the future and the foolishness of boasting about what tomorrow will bring, a direct counterpoint to the rich fool's confident planning.
Luke 16:19-25The parable of the rich man and Lazarus presents a stark contrast, showing the rich man's earthly excess and his utter lack of provision for the poor, echoing the rich fool's disregard for others.
jfbLuke 12:13-53: "And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me."
Lu 12:13-53. Covetousness—Watchfulness—Superiority to Earthly Ties.13. Master, &c.—that is, "Great Preacher of righteousness, help; there is need of Thee in this rapacious world; here am I the victim of injustice, and that from my own brother, who withholds from me my rightful share of the inheritance that has fallen to us." In this most inopportune intrusion upon the sole…
clarkeLuke 12:18: "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."
I will pull down, etc. - The rich are full of designs concerning this life, but in general take no thought about eternity till the time that their goods and their lives are both taken away.
The rich man's immediate thought isn't about just getting more space, but about completely rebuilding and expanding, revealing a deep-seated belief that his wealth is entirely his own creation. He focuses all his energy on storing "all his produce and his goods" for himself, with no consideration for God or the needs of others.
Jesus has just begun teaching about the dangers of greed after a man interrupts him with a dispute over an inheritance. In response, Jesus tells the parable of a rich man whose fields produced an abundant harvest, prompting the man to plan how he'll tear down his old storage and build bigger ones for all his wealth. This parable highlights the man's focus solely on accumulating more possessions for himself, with no thought of God or others.
Jesus has just begun teaching about the dangers of greed after a man interrupts him with a dispute over an inheritance. In response, Jesus tells the parable of a rich man whose fields produced an abundant harvest, prompting the man to plan how he'll tear down his old storage and build bigger ones for all his wealth. This parable highlights the man's focus solely on accumulating more possessions for himself, with no thought of God or others.
"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. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’" — The rich man's immediate thought isn't about just getting more space, but about completely rebuilding and expanding, revealing a deep-seated belief that his wealth is entirely his own creation. He fo…
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Last reviewed October 2026
