What does Luke 12:15 mean?
Jesus is teaching His disciples that they will need to give up the right to their lives, when a man from the large crowd interrupts. For some unspecified reason, the man feels the inheritance he and his brother have received is not being properly split. The man wants Jesus to tell his brother to cooperate. Jesus refuses to get involved. Settling selfish sibling squabbles is not on His agenda (Luke 12:1–14).He will, however, help the man reorient his priorities. He tells a parable about a rich man who gathers a great harvest. The man's profit is so great he can store it and not have to work again for several years. Regardless of how much effort the man put into earning that harvest, his stewardship reveals his heart.
The man's problem is covetousness. More specifically, it's "avarice:" he wants more than he needs. Men are given wealth to serve God's kingdom, not to hoard for themselves. While it is appropriate to save and it is also appropriate to enjoy God's abundant provision with thanksgiving, this man is not submitting his wealth to godly purposes. He doesn't mention God at all in considering his wealth. He doesn't speak of sharing what he has, or giving it to the poor, or using it to bless his community. He thinks that having money is reward enough. But that very night, he dies. His earthly riches mean nothing when he is dead. He should have focused on his relationship with God, instead (Luke 12:16–21).
When Jesus is finished teaching His disciples, He will return and build on this message. As the kingdom of God nears, the crowd needs to make peace with those they have wronged or risk losing their money and their liberty (Luke 12:57–59). Even more so, they need to make peace with God by repenting of their sins before God's patience runs out (Luke 13:1–9). Reconciling with their neighbor will make their lives more pleasant; reconciling with God will give them eternal life in paradise. Neither pride nor worldly riches can compare.
