The Parable of the Rich Fool

A rich man's fields produced a bountiful harvest, leading him to build bigger barns, only to die that very night.

The Parable of the Rich Fool

Luke 12:16-21/ KJV

16. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17. And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18. 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.
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.
20. 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?
21. So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

General themes for this chapter of the Bible: Warnings and Encouragements; The Rich Fool; Do Not Worry; Watchful Servants; The Faithful and the Unfaithful

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Under a dark, starless night sky, a man lies dead in a field of harvested grain, surrounded by his overflowing granaries, highlighting the futility of material possessions in the face of death. Underscores the finality of death and the ultimate powerlessness of material possessions, bringing home the central point of the parable.

A meticulously detailed illustration of a hand reaching for golden coins, but the hand is skeletal and decaying, suggesting the corrosive nature of greed and the ephemeral nature of wealth. Uses symbolism to show the corrosive nature of greed and the ephemeral nature of wealth, emphasizing the futility of accumulating material possessions.

A farmer's weathered hands carefully planting seeds in rich soil. The image conveys the value of stewardship and the true wealth that comes from nurturing life, instead of merely accumulating material possessions. Contrasts the accumulation of wealth with the act of stewardship and nurturing life, portraying the true essence of wealth found in creation and nurturing life.

Macro closeup of overflowing grain spilling from a bursting burlap sack, sunlight illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. The grain is golden, almost glowing, symbolizing wealth and abundance, but also hinting at potential waste. Focuses on the abundance described in Luke 12, highlighting the potential for waste and the irony of the rich man's focus on material wealth.

Macro closeup of a weathered, cracked hand clutching a handful of earth, the dirt stained with the rich brown of fertile soil, contrasting with the starkness of age and the looming shadow of mortality. Emphasizes the theme of mortality and the fleeting nature of earthly possessions, contrasting the richness of the soil with the decay of the human hand.

Bright morning sunlight bathes a field of ripe wheat, swaying gently in the breeze. A lone, weathered barn sits in the distance, appearing small against the vastness of the harvest, suggesting the limits of earthly possessions. Depicts the vastness of the harvest against the smallness of the barn, illustrating the limited capacity of material wealth to provide lasting security.

Golden morning light streams through a grove of olive trees, their leaves shimmering. A path leads towards a distant, opulent villa, hidden among the trees, a symbol of the hidden dangers of material wealth. Symbolize the hidden dangers of wealth and the illusion of security provided by material possessions, drawing attention to the subtle opulence concealed within the natural beauty.

Evening light casts long shadows across a field of harvested wheat stubble, the sky painted with hues of orange and purple. A lone figure walks away from a now empty barn, representing the fleeting nature of earthly gains. Captures the melancholy and emptiness that can follow the pursuit of material wealth, highlighting the passing of time and the fragility of earthly possessions.

A group of farmers in simple tunics celebrate a bountiful harvest in the early morning sun, their laughter echoing across the field, oblivious to the parable's warning of unforeseen circumstances. Illustrates the joy of simple abundance and the potential for contentment in the face of material scarcity, emphasizing the parable's message about priorities.

Morning light falls upon a family enjoying a simple meal outside their humble home, their expressions of contentment contrasting with the potential excesses of wealth, illustrating the true meaning of abundance. Contrasts the contentedness of a humble family with the potential anxieties of wealth, focusing on the true meaning of richness and the joy found in simple things.

A wealthy man in fine clothing sits alone in his grand, dimly lit banquet hall, surrounded by lavish feasts but with a look of deep worry on his face. The scene evokes a sense of isolation and spiritual emptiness. Shows the isolation and spiritual emptiness that can accompany material wealth, despite the outward appearance of luxury and success, echoing the inner conflict of the rich fool.

overlayed with the bible verse 16. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

NOTE: The images reflect the following descriptions related to the theme : The Parable of the Rich Fool

Macro closeup of overflowing grain spilling from a bursting burlap sack, sunlight illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. The grain is golden, almost glowing, symbolizing wealth and abundance, but also hinting at potential waste.
Macro closeup of a weathered, cracked hand clutching a handful of earth, the dirt stained with the rich brown of fertile soil, contrasting with the starkness of age and the looming shadow of mortality.
Bright morning sunlight bathes a field of ripe wheat, swaying gently in the breeze. A lone, weathered barn sits in the distance, appearing small against the vastness of the harvest, suggesting the limits of earthly possessions.
Golden morning light streams through a grove of olive trees, their leaves shimmering. A path leads towards a distant, opulent villa, hidden among the trees, a symbol of the hidden dangers of material wealth.
Evening light casts long shadows across a field of harvested wheat stubble, the sky painted with hues of orange and purple. A lone figure walks away from a now empty barn, representing the fleeting nature of earthly gains.
The setting sun paints the sky in fiery oranges and deep reds, casting a melancholic glow on a desolate landscape. A dark silhouette of a barn stands stark against the fading light, hinting at the end of a chapter.
A group of farmers in simple tunics celebrate a bountiful harvest in the early morning sun, their laughter echoing across the field, oblivious to the parable's warning of unforeseen circumstances.
Morning light falls upon a family enjoying a simple meal outside their humble home, their expressions of contentment contrasting with the potential excesses of wealth, illustrating the true meaning of abundance.
A wealthy man in fine clothing sits alone in his grand, dimly lit banquet hall, surrounded by lavish feasts but with a look of deep worry on his face. The scene evokes a sense of isolation and spiritual emptiness.
Under a dark, starless night sky, a man lies dead in a field of harvested grain, surrounded by his overflowing granaries, highlighting the futility of material possessions in the face of death.
A meticulously detailed illustration of a hand reaching for golden coins, but the hand is skeletal and decaying, suggesting the corrosive nature of greed and the ephemeral nature of wealth.
A farmer's weathered hands carefully planting seeds in rich soil. The image conveys the value of stewardship and the true wealth that comes from nurturing life, instead of merely accumulating material possessions.

A link to this resource is much appreciated to let others know about this free christian resource. The AB Church in LAusanne-Renens is happy to make the image collection available for free.

Related Theme

The Parable of the Watchful Servants

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