How do fools think?
(Prov. 27:23-27; Eccl. 2:14-19; Luke 12:16-21; Rom. 1:21-22) Blog Mar. 5-11, 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: God is generous with us but since the fall it is not natural for us to be generous with him nor with others. Only those who are born again as children of God are enabled and encouraged to return to God their service of love. This includes tithes, offerings, and acts of love. Our investments, employment, and possessions will all be influenced by the god we have chosen to serve.
Foolish Thinking
1. What inheritance was not uppermost in the mind of the man that asked Jesus to speak to his brother about an inheritance? This man was thinking only of earthly treasure & not of eternal treasure (Matt. 6:19-21; Luke 12:13; 1 Pet. 1:4).
2. After answering the man that asked Jesus to speak to his brother, what did Jesus say? Jesus said: “A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15).
3. In Jesus’ parable, who did the foolish rich man not think of? The foolish rich man did not think of God nor of others. He only thought of himself (Luke 12:16-19).
4. How does Paul describe people who have a foolish heart? Paul wrote that those who have a foolish heart do not glorify God as God, are not thankful, & are vain in their imaginations, while they profess themselves to be wise (Rom. 1:21-22).
5. How does David summarize the thoughts of a fool? David says that the fool thinks there is no God (Psa. 14:1).
6. What thought of Solomon’s did the foolish rich man apparently not consider? Apparently, the foolish rich man did not consider that he might die at any moment & his wealth would be another’s (Eccl. 2:14-19; Luke 12:19-20).
7. How did Jesus summarize the story of the foolish rich man? Jesus said: “So is he that layeth up treasure for himself & is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21).
Preparing for Retirement
8. According to Paul, in what should a person trust for their retirement years? Paul writes that a person should not trust in uncertain riches but rather should trust in God “who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Tim. 6:17).
9. When should a person stop working and enjoy their retirement? A person should never stop working to advance God’s kingdom, whether employed or retired (Matt. 24:44-46; Rev. 2:25).
10. What was wrong with the retirement plans made by the foolish rich man? The foolish rich man’s retirement plans were wrong because he only considered his own pleasure (Luke 12:19).
11. What should the foolish rich man have planned to do for his retirement? He should not have built bigger barns but rather should have shared his bumper crops with the church & the poor & made plans for the distribution of his property should he die unexpectedly (Lev. 23:22; Deut. 15:11; Luke 12:20-21).
12. At what age were the priests in Israel allowed to retire? Each of the families of Levi served the temple from age thirty to fifty (Num. 4:47).
13. How does Solomon say we should prepare for retirement? Solomon said that we should understand our financial portfolio & not waste it, but rather plan how to cover our expenses, including food, clothing, property, & caregivers (Prov. 27:23-27).
Preparing for Death
14. What financial factors should a person keep in mind when preparing for death? In preparing for death a person should consider the goodness of God throughout their life, the needs of their family, & the fact that they can take nothing with them when they die (Deut. 8:18; Psa. 49:16-17; Eccl. 5:18-19; 1 Tim. 5:8; 6:6-7).
15. What simple test does Paul give for telling if something is eternal or not?Paul says, if you can see it, then it is not eternal (2 Cor. 4:18).
16. Who does Solomon include as deserving an inheritance? Solomon says that a good man leaves an inheritance for his children, grandchildren, & wise servants (Prov. 13:22; 17:2).
17. Why is it wise to establish your estate plans early in life? Estate planning should be done early in life because we don’t know when we will die (Eccl. 8:6-8).
18. What does Revelation 14 say will continue to bear fruit after we die? The good or bad works we have done in this life continue to bear fruit after we die (Rev. 14:13).
19. As we consider how to manage our finances what overarching fact should always be uppermost in our minds? We should always remember that in financial planning we are only stewards of God’s blessings for he is the owner of heaven & earth & everything in them (Psa. 24:1; 50:10; Heb. 3:4).