Sunday School Times Luke 12:16-21 And he spoke a parable to them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:… Our stewardship and our dependence on God ought always to be silently, if not verbally, recognized. The captain talks of "my craft," but he knows that it is only entrusted to him for a season, and he returns it to its owners at the proper time. The soldier speaks of "my gun," but he knows that it is a government weapon, and is to be used in fighting the government's battles. So it is right to speak of "my money," "my possessions," provided God's supreme ownership is recognized. That was not how the rich man did in the parable. He grasped everything, recognized no higher ownership. He acted like the child who snatches the toy or the fruit thanklessly from the hand of its parent, and huddles it up in its pinafore lest some other should see and share the enjoyment. When the bubble is gained it bursts. Show the children how that is true, illustrating it from the common stories of Mazzini, Lord Chesterfield, Queen Elizabeth's death-bed, &c.; and make clear how all too eager seeking, whether for wealth or pleasure or fame, is overshadowed by God's calm judgment: "Thou fool." (Sunday School Times.) Parallel Verses 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. |
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