Luke 12:13-34

The Parable of the Rich Fool

13 s Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." 14 But he said to him, t "Man, u who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?" 15 And he said to them, v "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." 16 And he told them a parable, saying, w "The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, x 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' 18 And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my y barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up z for many years; relax, a eat, drink, be merry.' 20 But God said to him, b 'Fool! z This night c your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, d whose will they be?' 21 So is the one e who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God."

Do Not Be Anxious

22 And he said to his disciples, f "Therefore I tell you, g do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 h Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. i Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his j span of life? 1 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 2 yet I tell you, k even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, l O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor m be worried. 30 For n all the nations of the world seek after these things, and n your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, o seek p his 3 kingdom, q and these things will be added to you.

32 r "Fear not, little s flock, for t it is your Father's good pleasure to give you u the kingdom. 33 v Sell your possessions, and w give to the needy. x Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with y a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 z For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

  1. Cross References
    Luke 11:27
    As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!
  2. Cross References
    Micah 6:8
    He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
    Romans 2:1
    Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.
    Romans 2:3
    Do you suppose, O man - you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself - that you will escape the judgment of God?
    Romans 9:20
    But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this?
  3. Cross References
    Exodus 2:14
    He answered, "Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid, and thought, "Surely the thing is known.
    Acts 7:27
    But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?
  4. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:6 - 11
    Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment.
    Hebrews 13:5
    Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you.
  5. Cross References
    Psalms 49:16 - 20
    Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases.
  6. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 5:10
    He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.
  7. Cross References
    Luke 12:24
    Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!
  8. Cross References
    Proverbs 27:1
    Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
    James 4:13 - 15
    Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit" -
  9. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 2:24
    There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God.
    Ecclesiastes 11:9
    Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
    1 Corinthians 15:32
    What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.
    Luke 15:23
    And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.
  10. Cross References
    Jeremiah 17:11
    Like the partridge that gathers a brood that she did not hatch, so is he who gets riches but not by justice; in the midst of his days they will leave him, and at his end he will be a fool.
    Matthew 16:26
    For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
  11. Cross References
    Luke 12:19
    And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.
  12. Cross References
    Job 27:8
    For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off, when God takes away his life?
  13. Cross References
    Psalms 39:6
    Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!
    Job 27:17 - 22
    He may pile it up, but the righteous will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver.
    Ecclesiastes 2:18
    I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me.
    Ecclesiastes 2:21
    Because sometimes a person who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.
  14. Cross References
    Matthew 6:19 - 20
    Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.
  15. Cross References
    Luke 12:22 - 31
    And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.
    Matthew 6:25 - 33
    Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
  16. Cross References
    Luke 12:11
    And when they bring you before the synagogues a...
    Luke 10:41
    But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you...
    Matthew 10:19
    When they deliver you over, do not be anxious h...
    Matthew 13:22
    As for what was sown among thorns, this is the ...
    1 Corinthians 7:32
    I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmar...
    Philippians 4:6
    Do not be anxious about anything, but in everyt...
    1 Peter 5:7
    Casting all your anxieties on him, because he c...
  17. Cross References
    Luke 12:22 - 31
    And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.
    Matthew 6:25 - 33
    Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
  18. Cross References
    Job 38:41
    Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and wander about for lack of food?
    Psalms 147:9
    He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry.
  19. Cross References
    Luke 12:7
    Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
  20. Cross References
    Luke 2:52
    And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
  21. Cross References
    1 Kings 10:4 - 7
    And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built.
  22. Cross References
    Matthew 8:26
    And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
    Matthew 14:31
    Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?
    Matthew 16:8
    But Jesus, aware of this, said, "O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread?
    Luke 17:6
    And the Lord said, "If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.
  23. Cross References
    James 1:6
    But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
  24. Cross References
    Matthew 6:8
    Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
  25. Cross References
    Matthew 6:8
    Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
  26. Cross References
    Matthew 5:6
    Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
    Matthew 5:20
    For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
  27. Cross References
    Luke 11:2
    And he said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.
  28. Cross References
    1 Kings 3:11 - 14
    And God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right.
    Mark 10:29 - 30
    Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel.
    1 Timothy 4:8
    For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
    1 Peter 3:9
    Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
  29. Cross References
    Isaiah 41:14
    Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord ; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
    Isaiah 44:2
    Thus says the Lord who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen.
  30. Cross References
    Isaiah 40:11
    He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will...
    Matthew 26:31
    Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall awa...
    John 10:16
    And I have other sheep that are not of this fol...
    John 21:15 - 17
    When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to...
    Acts 20:28 - 29
    Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all ...
    1 Peter 5:2 - 3
    Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, ex...
  31. Cross References
    Luke 10:21
    In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
    Matthew 11:26
    Yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
    Ephesians 1:5
    He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.
    Ephesians 1:9
    Making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ
    Philippians 2:13
    For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
  32. Cross References
    Luke 22:29
    And I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom.
    Matthew 13:19
    When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.
  33. Cross References
    Matthew 19:21
    Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.
  34. Cross References
    Luke 11:41
    But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you.
  35. Cross References
    Luke 16:9
    And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.
  36. Cross References
    Matthew 6:20
    But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
    Luke 12:21
    So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.
    1 Peter 1:4
    To an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.
  37. Cross References
    Matthew 6:21
    For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.