Another good – “Jesus story.” The “region” of a rich man brought forth plentifully.
Understand this: it was “the region.”
In other words, the production wasn’t because the rich man was such a great agriculturalist, but because it was a banner or bumper crop year in that locale.
It was “the region” that produced, not the rich man.
He simply benefited by a combination of the right amount of sunshine and the correct amount of waterfall.
There was not a great pestilence that swept through the area. Harmful bugs and insects were kept at a minimum.
It was a year of “abundant crop growth.”
Not every year is so gracious. Not every year is so kind. Sometimes you can toil and toil and try your hardest and the earth produces little, if anything.
This was a good year…
It was “the entire region” that was so blessed.
Did anyone hear even a word of thanks or gratitude echoed in this story? I thought not!
So, this situation of “abundance” prompted an internal dialogue in the man. Maybe even an external dialogue.
Yep he talks to himself.
He likes himself.
He talks out loud to himself.
He answers back.
He has “so much produce” that his “existing barns” are not big enough to contain it.
So, you do understand what this means! With a “bumper crop” throughout the entire region, the price is probably going to be depressed.
The price is going to go down. The market will be flooded. It will be that old “supply and demand” thingy. He will have to reduce his own prices to go hand in hand with the market.
Not good.
Why sell now?
Why not wait?
Why not build a bigger barn, capable of storing all the produce and sell it next year when the crops might not be so plentiful? Perhaps then, the market price will be higher…and he can make more of a killing on the market!
Makes sense!
In terms of economic strategizing it is hard to argue with the rich mans position.
The decision to build bigger barns is entirely reasonable, even smart. Bigger storage areas make it easier to both play and manipulate the market.
Yet God calls him a “fool.”
The story as told by Jesus – was meant to be about greed. It was meant as a warning about or against being greedy.
He is called fool because in pursuit of bigger and greater profits, he has acted with disregard to both God and to his neighbors…
It is assumed he did not do all the planting himself.
It is assumed that he did not do all the care necessary to see that his crops survived.
It is assumed that he himself did not do all the harvesting alone.
And it is assumed that “others” would be the ones to tear down and to later build up for him – his bigger barns.
Where is his concern for all these others…?
The market has considerable power. The market is able to deliver many and varying types of goods.
The market is not God. The market is not to be worshiped. The market is not the “end all.”
The market place, is just that…the “market place.” (And nothing more!)
Does not all life come from God? Does not God have the right to “require that life back” at any time he chooses?
Therefore, in attempting to discern whether one should place their interest in their own “self advancement” “continually” over “others”…maybe, perhaps, it might be a little bit prudent to consider God’s opinion on the matter.
Maybe even consider God first? Not to mention – “the neighbor?”
“Go ahead, think only of yourself” and see how far that gets you! “Disregard others”…and do not care for them…and see “how that works for you!” Live only for yourself, without regard for anybody else…
But in the end…everything that you have striven for, and worked so hard for—and even given your life for — whose will it be? You already know this: You can’t take it with you! So what are you doing?