Luke 12:13-21

Christian Standard Bible

The Parable of the Rich Fool

¹³ Someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher,^(A) tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

¹⁴ “Friend,”^[a] he said to him, “who appointed me a judge or arbitrator over you?” ¹⁵ He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard^(B) against all greed,^(C) because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”^(D)

¹⁶ Then he told them a parable:^(E) “A rich^(F) man’s land was very productive. ¹⁷ He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? ¹⁸ I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there. ¹⁹ Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy;^(G) eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.”’^(H)

²⁰ “But God said to him, ‘You fool!^(I) This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’^(J)

²¹ “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure^(K) for himself and is not rich toward God.”^(L)