The Parable of the Rich Fool - How You Spend Your Money

The way you spend your money is a direct reflection on what you value the most. Agree or disagree?

Looking at the text from the Parable of the Rich Fool (below), we could come to the conclusion that the subject of the parable put his value in the ability to store up grain and goods - the accumulation of wealth. Looking at this person, it would be easy to agree that the way he spent his money is a direct reflection of what he valued. But what if I turn that question around on myself?

Before I elaborate, let me plainly say that I agree with the above statement. Money is talked about so much because it is one of the hardest things for us to let go of. It's easy to find security and hope in money. So when we look at the things that we're willing to part with our money on, I'd say that's a good indication of what's important to us.

If I'm honest about my budget, we spend the most on our apartment, food, child support, and on down the list. Giving is near the bottom of the list if you take it from a total amount point of view. It makes up about 3% of our budget. Does that mean supporting the church and Christ's work isn't a priority for us? No. The amount that we have budgeted for giving is not negotiable unless we're talking about giving more. It's set aside from the first check. So I'd say that we do value the ability to give to the work of the church.

Let me flip the coin for a moment. What would happen when unexpected expenses come up? Is giving the first thing to be reduced? I think that says a lot as well. Actually, we have some of those unexpected expenses. A $1000 trip to the ER, a $1500 orthodontist bill for our son, Another unknown amount from a doctor's visit for strep throat for our son, tires for my car. We don't have that kind of money saved. There's going to be some pinching and stretching, but our giving isn't on the table for consideration.

When we made the commitment to start giving regularly, we didn't make it hurt as much as many people are willing to. We just wanted to get started giving something consistently. We've got a plan for increasing our giving though. We decided that we would give 10% of any increase in income that we receive. We know that our current bills are covered, so we're going to make that commitment right off the top before any of that new salary or bonus is spent. That's just the way we've decided to handle it.

I get that many of you are jaded from church experiences where you really didn't know where your money went, you pastor was living in a million dollar home, the stewardship of the money was horrible, or you were actually swindled. I get that. When you feel that pull to start giving for the first time, but you're hesitant because of that experience, consider where your passions are. Do you hurt for children in the sex trade? Feel a desire to reach those in prison? Love the work an urban ministry does? Do some research on Christian organizations involved and start by giving there.

Talk to the pastor or elders at the church you attend. Any good church will be open about their financial reports. Once you've done your due diligence, I'd encourage to start giving to your church. It doesn't have to be a 10%, just pick a number you're comfortable with after praying about it and make it a habit, even if it's small. Giving is a form of worship between you and God, not a competition to prove who's the most self-righteous.


Luke 12:13-21 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Parable of the Rich Fool

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Interested in hearing Pastor Dave Martin's sermon on this text?

Listen online here or download the file.