The Rich Fool
Accumulating material wealth while neglecting the soul leads to eternal loss.
A rich man plans larger barns to store abundant crops, telling his soul to 'take life easy.' That night God requires his soul, and his wealth becomes meaningless. The parable warns against making wealth one's security rather than God. 'Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.' The fool is not foolish because he is rich but because he is 'not rich toward God.' In Luke 12:17-19 the man speaks only to himself — and God's reply is the first second voice in the story. True richness is found in relationship with God and generosity toward others.
You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?
Augustine preached that the rich fool 'had forgotten God, forgotten the poor, forgotten himself; he remembered nothing but his barns.'
Gospel of Luke