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I. THE PROSPERITY OF A WORLDLY LIFE.

1. This man prospered by means of a legitimate calling.

2. His prosperity was largely the outcome of his industry and good management.

3. To his own industry had been added the blessing of God, without which a man must toil in vain.

II. THE PERPLEXITY OF A WORLDLY LIFE. When the heart is set on material wealth, it will become burdened with care. There is a state of mind in which it is possible to be happy and rich with little.

III. THE SELFISH SCHEMING of a worldly life. "This will I do," &c. His ruling spirit is selfishness; he lives and moves in the little world of self. "Get all you can and keep all you get," seems to be the motto of his life. He was a close-fisted man of the world, whose earthly soul had been hardened by the sun of prosperity.

1. He forgets his relation to his fellow-men. He acts as if he had no connection with the race. He has no thought of brotherhood.

2. He does not recognize his obligation to the Divine. No thankoffering for the Giver of all good. He sacrifices only at the shrine of self.

IV. THE MISTAKE OF A WORLDLY LIFE.

1. Forgetfulness of God.

2. The underrating of his spiritual nature, and the overrating of his material possessions.

3. Forgetfulness of death, and presuming on "many years."

V. THE DIVINE JUDGMENT ON A WORLDLY LIFE.

1. A revelation of character.

2. Startlingly sudden.

3. Upsets all plans.

4. Seals worldling's doom.

(W. Smith.)

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KJV: And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

WEB: He spoke a parable to them, saying, "The ground of a certain rich man brought forth abundantly.