Theological Sketch-book Luke 12:16-21 And he spoke a parable to them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:… I. THE FOLLY OF THE PERSON MENTIONED. The man's folly consisted in — 1. His making the things of this life his chief good. 2. His supposing that worldly goods would satisfy his soul. The folly of such conduct will appear, if we consider(1) The nature of the soul. It is a spiritual and a rational principle (Genesis 1:27, and Genesis 2:7; Job 32:8). Can the gross materials that feed the body satisfy the soul? (2) The capacities of the soul. They, on account of its very nature, are so wast, that no measure of created good can possibly satisfy them. (3)The duration of the soul. It is immortal, everlasting (Ecclesiastes 12:7; Matthew 10:28). Can perishable things — such as earth affords — earth that will itself be destroyed, satisfy the immortal soul of man? Such foolish conduct, as that already described, naturally leads to another species of folly, that of — 3. Presuming on continued, on long life. He said, "Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years." How infatuated must that man have been, who could thus calculate! (see Psalm 49:11-13). Do we not see mortals arrested, and borne to their graves, at every stage of life! II. THE MANNER IN WHICH GOD TREATED THE SUBJECT OF THIS FOLLY. 1. He was called away suddenly. 2. Unexpectedly. 3. Amidst a profusion of worldly goods. 4. By language that strongly expressed the Divine displeasure.Reflections: 1. Worldly prosperity is so far from being a proof of personal goodness, or of the Divine favour, that the subjects of it may be so wicked as to incur sudden and severe destruction. 2. The proper enjoyment of life does not depend on large possessions (ver. 15). 3. Rich men are, on account of their riches, in peculiar danger — of living without God — of indulging in sensual gratifications — of presuming on long life — and of neglecting their souls. 4. Life is uncertain. It is therefore our highest wisdom to be living for eternity. (Theological Sketch-book.) 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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