1 Timothy 6:19 states: “Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

ABSTRACT

This article explores Christ’s warning against covetousness in Luke 12:13–21, where a man petitions Jesus to settle an inheritance dispute. Instead of taking sides, Jesus exposes the danger of greed through the parable of the rich fool. Drawing on Scripture and Ellen G. White’s insights, the study reveals how selfishness blinds the heart, earthly riches prove fleeting, and true wealth is found only in stewardship, service, and laying up eternal treasures. It emphasizes God’s love, calling believers to live generously, honor Him with their blessings, and reflect His character by caring for others.

PETITIONING THE SAVIOR

A man once petitioned the Savior, asking Him to intervene in a family inheritance dispute, as recorded in Luke 12:13-15: “And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” This request reflects a focus on material possessions rather than eternal priorities. Jesus refused to take sides, instead addressing the heart issue of covetousness. He emphasized that true life does not consist in wealth but in spiritual richness. This teaching sets the foundation for the parable that follows, illustrating the dangers of greed. In Luke 12:16-21, Jesus tells the story of a rich man whose land yielded an abundant harvest: “And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” The rich man’s focus was entirely on himself. He saw his prosperity as a means to secure comfort and self-indulgence rather than an opportunity to bless others. Sr. White comments in Christ’s Object Lessons (p. 257, 1900): “This man’s aims were no higher than those of the beasts that perish. He lived as if there were no God, no heaven, no future life; as if everything he possessed were his own, and he owed nothing to God or man.” This commentary reveals the spiritual blindness caused by greed, which ignores God’s sovereignty and fails to prepare for eternity. To support this, Ecclesiastes 5:10 states: “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.” Additionally, Proverbs 11:28 warns: “He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.” Sr. White further notes in The Desire of Ages (p. 785, 1898): “The love of money, the desire for wealth, is the golden chain that binds them to Satan.” Similarly, The Great Controversy (p. 588, 1911) states: “The love of self, of ease, and of worldly gain separates men from God.” The parable establishes that true wealth lies in devotion to God, not in accumulating possessions for oneself. What does it mean to view blessings through a lens of self-centeredness?

MISGUIDED VIEWS ON BLESSINGS

The rich man viewed his blessings as a means for personal enjoyment, as described in Luke 12:19: “And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” This attitude reflects self-centeredness and materialism. Psalm 14:1 provides a deeper analysis: “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.” Sr. White expands on this thought in Christ’s Object Lessons (p. 258, 1900): “The psalmist describes this rich man when he wrote, ‘The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.’” He ignored his duty to share with others, as commanded in Isaiah 58:7: “Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” Instead of hoarding wealth, he should have laid up heavenly treasures, as instructed in Matthew 6:20: “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” Sr. White supports this in Counsels on Stewardship (p. 133, 1940): “Many are laying up treasures in this world. Their anxiety, their interest, and their enthusiasm are for the things of this world, and eternity is forgotten.” To reinforce this, Proverbs 22:9 states: “He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.” Likewise, 2 Corinthians 9:6 affirms: “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” Sr. White adds in Patriarchs and Prophets (p. 496, 1890): “God has given us means, that we may become partners with Him in His great plan of redemption.” Additionally, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3 (p. 382, 1875) notes: “Selfishness is the strongest and most general of human impulses, but it must be overcome if we would be co-workers with Christ.” The rich man’s failure to share his blessings reflects a heart disconnected from God’s purpose. How fleeting are the riches we cling to?

THE FLEETING NATURE OF EARTHLY WEALTH

The parable exposes the brevity of life and the futility of trusting in riches. In Luke 12:20, God declares: “But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” Sr. White explains in Christ’s Object Lessons (p. 258, 1900): “The wealth he has treasured can purchase no reprieve. In one moment that which he has toiled through his whole life to secure becomes worthless to him.” Similarly, James 5:1-6 warns against hoarding wealth in the last days: “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.” To expand this, Ecclesiastes 2:18-19 states: “Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool?” Additionally, Psalm 39:6 warns: “Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.” Sr. White further clarifies in Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1 (p. 536, 1867): “Riches cannot secure eternal life. The cry of the oppressed and suffering poor comes up to heaven, and retribution will soon follow.” Additionally, The Great Controversy (p. 654, 1911) states: “The wealth of the world is not sufficient to purchase peace with God.” Earthly riches offer no lasting security, only a false promise of control. What does it mean to invest in eternity?

INVESTING IN ETERNAL TREASURES

The Bible calls believers to prioritize eternal treasures. Matthew 6:20 advises: “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” Sr. White affirms in Christ’s Object Lessons (p. 259, 1900): “To live for self is to perish. Covetousness, the desire of benefit for self’s sake, cuts the soul off from life.” True wealth lies in generosity and faithfulness to God’s purposes. To support this, Colossians 3:2 instructs: “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Additionally, 1 Peter 1:4 promises: “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.” Sr. White elaborates in The Acts of the Apostles (p. 345, 1911): “Heaven’s treasures are imperishable. Seek those things which are above. The richest treasure any mortal can have is Christ formed within, the hope of glory.” Further, Counsels on Stewardship (p. 112, 1940) states: “The only safe investment is that which is made in the bank of heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt.” Investing in eternity means living for God’s glory and the good of others. How does this parable reflect God’s boundless love?

GOD’S LOVE IN ACTION

The concepts in this parable reflect God’s love by emphasizing His desire for humanity to live selflessly and prepare for eternal life. Matthew 6:20 instructs believers to prioritize heavenly treasures: “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” Sr. White comments in Christ’s Object Lessons (p. 259, 1900): “To live for self is to perish. Covetousness, the desire of benefit for self’s sake, cuts the soul off from life.” God’s love is demonstrated in His call for generosity, echoing 1 Timothy 6:17-19: “Charge them that are rich in this world… That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.” To further this, John 3:16 declares: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Additionally, 2 Corinthians 8:9 states: “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” Sr. White adds in The Acts of the Apostles (p. 345, 1911): “Heaven’s treasures are imperishable. Seek those things which are above.” Further, The Desire of Ages (p. 638, 1898) notes: “God’s love is revealed in His provision for man’s happiness and in His gift of His Son.” God’s love calls us to live generously, reflecting His selfless nature. What responsibilities do we owe to our Creator?

STEWARDSHIP FOR GOD’S GLORY

The concepts in this parable highlight our responsibility to be faithful stewards of the blessings God provides. Matthew 6:33 teaches: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Sr. White affirms in Christ’s Object Lessons (p. 351, 1900): “We are all stewards of God. He has placed us in charge of His resources to be used for His glory and the good of humanity.” This stewardship requires generosity, as instructed in 1 Timothy 6:18: “That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.” To reinforce this, Luke 16:10 states: “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” Additionally, 1 Corinthians 4:2 declares: “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” Sr. White further emphasizes in Counsels on Stewardship (p. 15, 1940): “God desires us to be channels of blessing to others, sharing what He has entrusted to us.” Additionally, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2 (p. 654, 1871) notes: “God has given us talents to use for His glory, and we are responsible for their improvement.” Faithful stewardship honors God by using His blessings for His purposes. How do we extend this stewardship to our neighbors?

LOVING OUR NEIGHBOR

The parable also emphasizes our responsibility to care for others, reflecting God’s command to love our neighbor. Leviticus 19:18 teaches: “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.” Sr. White writes in The Ministry of Healing (p. 147, 1905): “The world needs today what it needed nineteen hundred years ago—a revelation of Christ. A great work of reform is demanded, and it is only through the grace of Christ that the work of restoration—physical, mental, and spiritual—can be accomplished.” We demonstrate love for our neighbors by meeting their physical and spiritual needs, as highlighted in Isaiah 58:7: “Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house?” To support this, Galatians 6:2 instructs: “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Additionally, James 2:15-16 warns: “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” Sr. White further clarifies in Christ’s Object Lessons (p. 259, 1900): “To live for self is to perish. It is the spirit of Christ to give, to sacrifice self for the good of others.” Additionally, The Desire of Ages (p. 504, 1898) states: “In every act of mercy, we are to reflect the love of Christ to those around us.” By serving others, we reflect God’s love and fulfill our duty as His stewards.

The parable demonstrates the futility of prioritizing earthly wealth over eternal values. It underscores the danger of viewing blessings as personal property rather than tools for service and reinforces the transience of earthly possessions and the need to invest in eternal treasures. This teaching reveals that God’s love invites us into a deeper relationship with Him, built on faith, stewardship, and service. These responsibilities call believers to honor God by prioritizing service, faith, and eternal values over earthly gain. Loving our neighbors expresses our faith and obedience to God’s commands. To summarize this concept, 1 Timothy 6:19 states: “Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” This theme of misplaced trust in riches transitions seamlessly to the story of “The Rich Man and Lazarus,” which further illustrates the eternal consequences of selfish living versus selfless giving.

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