Luke 12:21

21 "This is how it will be for those who store up things for themselves and are not rich toward God."

Luke 12:21 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 12:21

So is he that layeth up treasure for himself
This is the accommodation of the parable. Just such a fool is he, and this will be the end or him, who employs all his thoughts, and spends all his time, in amassing to himself worldly riches and wealth, in laying up treasures on earth for himself, for futurity: and makes no use of his earthly substance to be the good of others; nor shows any concern for spiritual and eternal riches; but places all his hope, trust, and confidence, in uncertain riches:

and is not rich towards God;
or "in God", as the Syriac and Arabic versions read; in things pertaining to God, in spiritual things, in faith, and in good works; and is not concerned to lay up a treasure in heaven, to have an interest in durable riches and righteousness; whereas one that is rich towards God, acknowledges that he receives all his riches from God, as the Ethiopic version reads; he gives up all into the hands of God, depends upon his providence for the increase, security, and continuance of it; and uses it to his honour and glory, and for the good of his interest; and is chiefly concerned for the riches of grace and glory; and enjoys much of God, and places all his riches in him: such a man is a wise man, but the reverse of this is the fool in the parable.

Luke 12:21 In-Context

19 Then I can say to myself, "I have enough good things stored to last for many years. Rest, eat, drink, and enjoy life!"'
20 "But God said to him, 'Foolish man! Tonight your life will be taken from you. So who will get those things you have prepared for yourself?'
21 "This is how it will be for those who store up things for themselves and are not rich toward God."
22 Jesus said to his followers, "So I tell you, don't worry about the food you need to live, or about the clothes you need for your body.
23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.