Luk 12:16-34 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Luke 12:16-20: 12:16-20 On the surface, the rich man had a perfectly prudent plan, but the constant focus was on himself (cp. Eccl 5:10 ); he never considered giving crops to the needy. He assumed that his riches would last and only wanted a place to store them, without bringing God into the equation at all (Jas 4:13-17 ). His judgment was just.

Summary for Luke 12:16-20: 12:16-20 ^a On the surface, the rich man had a perfectly prudent plan, but the constant focus was on himself (cp. Eccl 5:10 ^b); he never considered giving crops to the needy. He assumed that his riches would last and only wanted a place to store them, without bringing God into the equation at all (Jas 4:13-17 ^c). His judgment was just.
Summary for Luke 12:19-20: 12:19-20 ^d My friend: Literally Soul. The man was speaking to himself.

• You fool! In Scripture, a fool is not someone with a low intelligence, but one who dishonors and disobeys God (Ps 14:1-5 ^e).

• You will die (literally Your soul will be demanded from you): The man was satisfied with his soul, but God was not.
Summary for Luke 12:22-34: 12:22-34 ^f Jesus’ warning against greed (12:13-21 ^g) is followed by teaching about living in dependence on God. Jesus’ disciples were to focus on God’s Kingdom and his purpose in this world rather than being obsessed with possessions.
12:24 ^h Look at the ravens: Ravens were unclean (Lev 11:15 ⁱ; Deut 14:14 ^j), yet God cared even for them (Ps 147:9 ^k).
12:25 ^l add a single moment to your life (literally add a single cubit to his length): Worry cannot add even one step on the road of life.
12:27 ^m Solomon was among the richest kings of the world in his day (see 2 Chr 9:13-22 ⁿ).
12:30 ^o unbelievers: Greek ethnē, sometimes translated “the nations” or “the Gentiles.” To a Jewish audience, it meant all who were not God’s people.
12:31 ^p Seek the Kingdom of God: Adopt God’s value system, pursue his purpose in the world, and submit to his authority.
12:32 ^q little flock: God is the shepherd of his people (Ps 23 ^r; Jer 13:17 ^s; Ezek 34 ^t; Zech 10:3 ^u). Israel’s leaders were also identified as shepherds and were criticized for harming or neglecting their sheep (Ezek 34 ^v; Zech 10:3 ^w).
12:33 ^x Sell your possessions and give to those in need: This is not a command to liquidate all personal possessions, since elsewhere in the Bible it is assumed that believers will own property. It means recognizing that everything we have is God’s and should be used to serve him and his people (see Acts 2:44-45 ^y; 4:32-34 ^z). Believers are responsible for meeting the needs of the poor, especially in the church (Gal 6:10 ^aa).

• treasure for you in heaven: See Luke 16:1-13 ^ab; Matt 6:19-21 ^ac. When God gives wealth, he also gives a ministry to help the unfortunate.