Luke 12:17

17 He thought to himself, 'What will I do? I have no place to keep all my crops.'

Luke 12:17 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 12:17

And, he thought within himself
And foolish thoughts they were; he did not think of God, or that there was one, and much less that he was the author, of all his outward prosperity and plenty; and was still further off of thinking of returning thanks to God for it: or of asking counsel of him, what he should do with it; but he consults himself only, and thought only within, and for himself; and not at all of his poor neighbours, or for the good of others; nor did he think even of his own soul, but altogether about his worldly substance:

saying, what shall I do?
he does not say what shall I do for God? for his interest service, and glory? for the poor, the hungry, and thirsty, and naked? or for my own soul, that that may be eternally saved? but what shall I do with my goods?

because I have no room where to bestow my fruits:
he had gathered in his harvest, and filled his barns as full as they could hold, so that they had no room for more; and yet had still an abundance to lay up, and about which he was anxiously concerned; not thinking of the empty bellies, barns, and houses of the poor, where he might have stowed much.

Luke 12:17 In-Context

15 Then Jesus said to them, "Be careful and guard against all kinds of greed. Life is not measured by how much one owns."
16 Then Jesus told this story: "There was a rich man who had some land, which grew a good crop.
17 He thought to himself, 'What will I do? I have no place to keep all my crops.'
18 Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and other goods.
19 Then I can say to myself, "I have enough good things stored to last for many years. Rest, eat, drink, and enjoy life!"'
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.