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The parable of the rich fool (Lk 12, 13-21)
Mato Zovkić
; Vrhbosanska visoka teološka škola u Sarajevu, Sarajevo, Bosna i Hercegovina
Abstract
The theme of the sudden death of a rich person exists in the Old Testament, rabbinical writings, and extra biblical sources. Jesus' parable in Lk 12, 13—21 is not a new variation of the old theme, but an original thought expressed by means of well known material. This thought has its foundation in the life of the historical Jesus who proclaimed and witnessed to non-dependence on material goods. By sharing meals with the rich, Jesus showed that they needed God's mercy as well, and by sharing his material instability with the poor Jesus demonstrated that a lasting security could be granted only by God. One of the themes of Luke's theology is Jesus' concern for the poor and his warnings of the dangers of depending upon material possessions. This is evident from Luke's formulation of the beatitudes (6,20—26), and from Luke's own narrative, such as the parable of the Rich man and Lazarus (16,19—31).
Lk 12,13—15 is an apophthegma which illustrates the warning of Jesus on avoiding covetousness. Jesus refuses to interfere with family inheritance disputes and emphatically states that a person's life is not en to perisseuein. He requests that his followers avoid all pleonexia by accepting God as their Sovereign. Covetousness shuts one off from his fellow man' and his divine Lord, by making him irtcapable for a self-giving love of God and neighbour.
The parable of the Rich Fool diverts our attention from general to individual eschatology. The historical situation of the parable probably regards the condition of some rich people in the early Church who accepted Christianity but did not submit their riches to their faith. The rich man of the parable is a successful farmer in the eyes of his partners, but, in the eyes of God he is a fool. Because he does'nt take his creatural condition seriously. He is thesaurizon heauto while he should be eis theon plouton. The best commentary of this logion are parallel text's in Lk 12,33 and 18,22. »Treasure in heaven in primarily personal friendship with God, which is offered in situations of poverty and wealth as well.
The aim of life is not to gather up material wealth but to accept and maintain friendship with God offered trough Jesus Christ. This friendship cannot be gained or maintained if a man does not stick with his brethren, especially the poor. Therefore, to »be rich in God's sight* (12,21) is the same as selling one's possesions and giving alms (12, 33—34) for the sake of receiving treasure in heaven, or following Jesus in order to gain treasure in heaven (18, 28—30).
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
54455
URI
Publication date:
20.8.1984.
Visits: 2.672 *