Podcast appearances and mentions of rich fool

AI is changing quickly. So how should Christian families think about money, investing, work, and the future without being driven by fear? In this episode of Abraham's Wallet, Steven Manuel and Mark Parrett take a serious look at the rise of artificial intelligence, concerns about superintelligence, and what AI could mean for jobs, investments, digital security, and the way families prepare for an uncertain future. But the bigger question isn't whether we can predict exactly what AI will do. It's whether fear should be allowed to dictate how we run our households and manage our money. Rather than trying to “AI-proof” a portfolio or make dramatic financial moves based on the latest headline, Steven and Mark explore four possible futures for AI—from catastrophe and a messy transition to abundance and a slower-than-expected transformation. They discuss why diversification matters, why ordinary financial planning may still be the right approach, and why your own job and skills may deserve more attention than trying to predict which companies will survive AI. The conversation also brings the issue back to Scripture. What does the Parable of the Talents teach us about fear and stewardship? What's the difference between prudent preparation and fear-based financial decisions? And how can Christian fathers prepare their families for uncertainty without trying to secure the future entirely through their own strength? Covered in this episode: • How Christians should think about AI and superintelligence• Should you “AI-proof” your investment portfolio?• AI, jobs, and the future of work• Why diversification matters in an uncertain economy• The difference between prudence and fear-based financial decisions• What the Parable of the Talents teaches about fear and money• Biblical principles for preparing for uncertain times• How much cash and emergency supplies should a family keep?• Digital security, scams, passwords, and AI-powered fraud• Whether gold, Bitcoin, land, or other assets make sense during uncertainty• How Christian fathers can prepare their households without panic• Why living below your means and maintaining financial margin still matters• Faith, stewardship, and trusting God with an uncertain future AI may change dramatically. The economy may change. The world may change. But the calling remains remarkably simple: be faithful with what God has put in your hands today. Don't let the next threat—or the fear surrounding it—pull you away from faithful stewardship. Subscribe to Abraham's Wallet and share this episode with another Christian father who is trying to think wisely about money, technology, and the future. Chapters (00:00:01) - Intro: AI Fears and Anthropic Resignation Story(00:03:57) - Vocabulary: Understanding AI and Superintelligence(00:07:14) - Four Possible Future Scenarios(00:11:49) - Prophecy Jokes and Staying the Course(00:14:45) - Fear as a Terrible Financial Planner(00:16:02) - Biblical Parables: Talents, Joseph, and the Rich Fool(00:19:41) - Fear Cycles Throughout History(00:23:17) - Three Questions from a Dumb Guy: Gold and Digital Security(00:28:49) - Cash on Hand and Emergency Preparedness(00:32:21) - AI-Proofing Your Portfolio and Jobs(00:37:09) - Bunkers, Land, and Trusting in Self vs God(00:39:30) - Action Steps: Prayer, No Fear Trades, Margin(00:47:01) - Closing Thoughts: Faithfulness Over FearHelp us equip more biblical bosses!: https://abrahamswallet.com/support AW website | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Welcome to the Saltbox Church Podcast. We desire to lead people to become fully surrendered disciples of Jesus. On our channel, you'll learn how to read and understand the truths of the Bible from Pastor Michael Mattis and other members of our teaching team. You can expect to walk away with a deeper understanding of the things of God, but challenged to live a surrendered life. We cover topics such as the will of God, mental health, women in leadership, Christianity vs. other faith traditions and many other in-depth studies of scripture. -------------------------------- -------------------------------- CONNECT: LinkTree ► https://linktr.ee/saltboxchurch Website ► http://www.SaltboxChurch.com Podcast ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/saltboxchurch/ Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/saltboxchurch/ Yellow Truck Coffee Co. ► https://www.yellowtruckcoffeeco.com/ --------------------------------

Sermon from St Andrews Church, Slip End, UK. Given by our reader Richard Palmer, recorded on the 27th September 2026 Download Mp3 HERE! Sermon starts at 2:37 Luke 12 v 16-30 The Parable of the Rich Fool 16 And he told … Continue reading →

What are we ultimately living our lives for? How do we spend our time and our money? In Luke 12 Jesus warns his listeners about living for the wrong things. Join Pastors Mike and Tyler as they dive into the parables of Jesus to see what it has to teach us today!Support the show

Luke 12:13–21 Jesus told a story about a successful man whose land produced an abundant harvest. The man's business had done so well that he decided to build larger barns, store everything for himself, retire early, and enjoy the good life. But his plans ended suddenly when his life was required of him. The tragedy of the Rich Fool was not simply that he died unexpectedly. It was that he spent his life accumulating possessions but never became rich toward God. The Rich Fool and the Rich Young Ruler had much in common. One never seriously considered eternity until it was too late. The other asked about eternity, but walked away when he learned what following Jesus would require. Both believed their possessions belonged to them, rather than recognizing them as gifts entrusted by God. Join us for part three of Rich! as we discover how regular, proportional, and intentional generosity can loosen the grip of money and help us store up treasure that lasts.

Luke 12: 16-21 Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don't have room for all my crops.' Then he said, ‘I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I'll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”' But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?' Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” What if the things God has blessed you with slowly become the things you live for? Have you ever seen a hearse pulling a Uhaul? No – you truly can’t take it with you. Everything you’ve ever bought – everything you’ve ever built – everything you’ve ever worked for – it will all be gone in an instant when you take your final breath. And my friend, I assure you of this – your final breath is coming. One day you will wake up, and it will be your last. You may not know it, but that day will come – and when it does only heavenly things will matter. Every earthly thing will be over. But while we’re here having our earthly experience, it’s so easy to get wrapped up in our earthly things. It’s so easy to allow this entire life to become about work – about earning, about building, about buying, about having. All while we forget the entire point of our existence – this is our opportunity to have a rich relationship with God. The one who created you wants you to know him. The one who imagined you, designed you, and knit you together cell by cell in your mother’s womb – the one who watches over you, the one who aligns good plans for you, the one who is always working all things together for good concerning you – he has given you this time to grow to know him, trust him and love him. Everything else is temporary. Everything else is either a bonus – or it’s a distraction. In this story, there’s nothing wrong with the man being rich. He had a fertile farm. Guess where that fertile farm came from? That was God’s creation. God made that land. God allowed that land to be fertile. And that land produced fine crops. That’s a blessing. But here’s what those blessings did – they created wealth for this man and that wealth became a problem for him. He was so successful that he didn’t even have room to store all his crops. So of course, he plans to builds bigger barns. But, in all his success he failed to realize how extremely numbered his days were and his time was up that very night. Is it sinful to be successful? Is is wrong to have money? No. That’s not the point of Jesus’ story. The point here was this man had spent his life building success but hadn’t built a relationship with God. The man didn’t do anything obviously evil. He worked. He was productive. His land produced. He succeeded. He planned for the future. He built bigger barns. None of those things, by themselves, are bad. The problem is that God was completely absent from his plans. Notice how many times he says “I” and “my.” My crops. My barns. My wheat. His entire world had become about himself and what he could accumulate. Everything is “mine”. And yet, the truth is, everything he had was ultimately something he had received. The land wasn’t his creation. The rain wasn’t his creation. The fertility wasn’t his creation. His ability to work wasn’t his creation. His life itself wasn’t even his creation. BUT HAD HE FORGOTTEN ALL THAT IN HIS SUCCESS? This is really a story of building a life that looks successful on the outside but is becoming spiritually empty on the inside. This is a story of allowing the things God has blessed you with to become the things you live for. And really, isn’t this a huge threat to all of us? Have your blessings become the reason you live? If you lost those blessings, what would you have? You would still have your relationship with God – but if you haven’t been building that relationship with God, then you would be completely without a reason to live. And in the end, in that last breath, all you have is God. That moment is coming for every one of us. We all fear failure, but you know what’s more dangerous than failure … success. When life is hard, we tend to reach for God. When life is going swimmingly well, we get all wrapped up in our blessings and God gets crowded out. That’s dangerous. We pray when we’re desperate – but do we pray when we’re successful? We seek God when we’re broken – but do we seek him as much when everything is working? We beg God for provision when we don’t have enough – but do acknowledge him with that same fervency when we have more than enough? The danger isn’t having a lot. This is all God’s and he’s happy to share everything he has with his children. The danger is in having a lot and forgetting who gave it to you. I’ve done that. Haven’t you? The man in Jesus’ story didn’t make a mistake by building a bigger barn. His mistake was building a bigger and bigger life without building a bigger relationship with God. What’s the title of this podcast? BIG Life. We’re here seeking the BIG Life God created us for. We believe each of us were created for a big, beautiful life. What’s the key part of that BIG Life – our relationship with God. Otherwise, we’re just building barns that we can’t take with us! Here’s what God wants to ask his girls today: All while you’re working on building a bigger life with your business, and your house, your family, and your health – how’s your relationship with ME? With all this building, HOW IS YOUR SOUL? My girl, are you becoming more like Jesus? Are you learning to trust me? Are you growing to be more generous? Are you living more peacefully? Are you loving my people better? Are you spending time with me? Are you really enjoying this life I gave you to live? If all you’re doing is building bigger barns, your soul may be getting smaller. And Jesus says that’s dangerous! The man in Jesus’ story is planning for YEARS, but in reality his timeline is brutally short. We plan as those we have forever, but God asks us to live faithfully today with an eternal focus. We don’t know how many more summers we get. How many Christmases. How many mornings with the people we love. How many conversations. How many sunsets. God doesn’t remind of this to make us fearful – he reminds us of this to help us WAKE UP. When you remember how temporary this life is, you can actually learn to live more fully. In my moment of believing this life was truly over there were only 2 thoughts in my mind – I was going to see Jesus THAT day -and- did I tell my people that I love them. That’s it. Nothing else mattered. When I received the miraculous gift of more time, I was forever changed in how I woke up to each new day. I know what’s important, so I know how to live. All this other stuff is temporary. If you knew you only had one year left, what would suddenly become important? Would you still work the same amount? Would you still care about having the same things? Would you still spend hours scrolling? Would you still keep putting off that conversation? Would you still be waiting for someday to do what God has been asking you to do? Would you still be obsessed with how you look? Would you still be trying so hard to impress people who won’t even be at your funeral? Would you spend your time differently? Would you love differently? Would you give differently? Would you slow down? Why are you waiting for a terminal diagnosis to start living like your life matters? You don’t have to know when your last day is to start living differently. Jesus isn’t saying: Don’t have anything. He’s saying: Don’t let what you have become who you are. You can enjoy beautiful things without worshiping beautiful things. You can dream BIG without making your dreams bigger than God. The issue isn’t what is in your hands. The issue is what has captured your heart. Before we build absolutely anything – let us make sure we are building the one thing that that matters – our relationship with God. The rich fool spent his life accumulating things he couldn’t keep. But Jesus invites us to spend our lives building something we can take into eternity—our relationship with Him. If I keep living exactly the way I’m living today, what will my life look like five years from now? Will I simply have more stuff? More money? More accomplishments? More things checked off the list? Or will I know Jesus more deeply? Will I love people better? More faithful? More courageous? More alive? Because that’s the measurement Jesus gives us. Not how much we accumulated. Not how impressive our barns became. Not how successful we appeared. But whether we became rich toward God. Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com

Jesus told a story about a successful man whose land produced an abundant harvest. His business had done so well that he decided to build larger barns, store everything for himself, retire early, and enjoy the good life. But his plans ended suddenly when his life was required of him. The tragedy of the Rich Fool was not merely that he died unexpectedly. It was that he spent his life accumulating possessions but never became rich toward God. Join us for part three of Rich! as we discover that God gives us extra not merely to increase our standard of living, but to increase our standard of giving.

Join us today as Tim Gleghorn looks at the parable of the rich foolish farmer in Luke 12: 13-21

Dennis Allan, co-pastor of Garden City Church brings the message this week. He shares with us Jesus' parable about the rich fool; that our resources are not to be hoarded, but to lead us to generosity. Passages: Luke 12:13-21

Provocative Parables of Jesus, The Rich Fool with Josh LiemLuke 12:13-34How much is too much?  What is wealth for?  This Sunday, we'll sit with the parable of the Rich Fool and his barns— the only parable where God is a character.For reflection & discussion:Has God interrupted your soliloquy?  Are your thoughts and actions directed towards yourself— your earnings, possessions, accomplishments, enjoyment, entitlements?  Where might be a place to welcome God's interruption?“Life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” – Jesus.  How true is this to your view of life?  There isn't a formula, a dollar amount or percentage, to a life of generosity that Jesus calls us to.  In your current season, what would a generous, non-worried-about-food/clothing/shelter life look like?  What could be one thing to change this month?

Luke 12:12-23, 12:13-31 

Jesus told a story about a wealthy man who had everything he needed, but still wanted more. His problem wasn't having wealth. It was believing that everything he had was his to keep.In this message, Pastor Paul Malott looks at the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12 and what it means to trust that God is in control, recognize that everything belongs to Him, and live generously with what we've been given.Send us Fan Mail

Rasool Berry Luke 12:13-21

Alan Morales - Guest Preacher Sunday, July 26th 2026

What does it really mean to be content? In this message from Luke 12:13–21, we explore Jesus' Parable of the Rich Fool and the warning against greed, reminding us that life is not measured by our possessions but by our relationship with God.Discover how discontentment fuels greed, why our culture constantly pushes us to want more, and how biblical contentment leads to true freedom. You'll also learn how generosity becomes an act of worship that breaks the grip of materialism and helps us trust God as our ultimate provider.Whether you're struggling with finances, comparison, or simply chasing "the next thing," this sermon offers practical, biblical encouragement to live with open hands and a heart fully satisfied in Christ.

He who dies with the most toys wins... or does he? Jesus tells a parable about a rich man who did everything right by the world's standards and everything wrong by heaven's. In this message from Luke 12:13-21, we walk verse by verse through the parable of the Rich Fool and ask the question underneath it: what are you really living for? Our lives were never meant to be measured by what we own. This sermon looks at how Christ alone satisfies what no barn, bank account, or possession ever can.

Rev. John Bothof - Scripture: Luke 12:13-21 Text: Luke 12:13-21

***Por favor, disculpen los problemas de audio y técnicos que tuvimos ese día. ¡Bendiciones! ***La Parábola del Rico Insensato¿Qué significa realmente ser rico? En este mensaje de Lucas 12:13-21, desentrañamos la Parábola del Rico Insensato y exponemos la peligrosa trampa de vivir para las posesiones en lugar de vivir para Dios. Únete a nosotros mientras descubrimos lo que el dinero nunca puede comprar — y lo que verdaderamente significa ser rico para con Dios._________________***Please forgive our audio and technial issue we expericed on this day. Blessings! ***Parable of the Rich FoolWhat does it really mean to be rich? In this message from Luke 12:13-21, we unpack the Parable of the Rich Fool and expose the dangerous trap of living for possessions instead of God. Join us as we discover what money can never buy — and what it truly means to be rich toward God.

This week, Dennis Allan walks through the Parable of the Barn Builder (or, the Rich Fool). In the kingdom, Jesus makes clear that the life that is truly life is now found in an abundance of possessions. The life that is truly life—namely, Jesus himself—is found when his people use their excess to care for those who have need. Jesus means it when he says, "Whatever you do for the least of these, you do it for me." The barn builder, all on his own, took an abundant harvest and used it to enrich himself even further. What he should've done is brought people from his village together, sought their counsel, and made a communal decision about how to use his newfound abundance. Because, in the first-century, the land was a common good that belonged equally to everyone. It was never meant to become a private good that benefitted some, and not others. The implication is straightforward, but challenging. Our excess, it's obligated to our neighbors. Our abundance, it's meant for the well-being of others. This is the economic life of the kingdom citizens.

As part of our Above All Else series on the Seven Deadly Sins, Joseph Yasso teaches on greed — or avarice — not merely as a love of money, but as a disordered heart posture that replaces trust in God with trust in wealth. Through personal storytelling, Jesus's Parable of the Rich Fool, and the writings of Paul, this message traces where greed comes from, what it's really serving, and how simplicity, generosity, and gratitude can loosen its grip."Greed is the disordered hope that money can give us the security, significance and satisfaction only God can give. And it leads to a lack of faith, generosity, and gratitude, while also adding anxiety to our lives."What Greed Is NOT:- Greed is not wealth — it's not the same as having money- Greed is not enjoying good gifts — God made a world full of beauty meant to lead us back to him- Greed is not materialism only — it includes craving experiences, status, or comfort at any cost- Greed is not saving — stewarding money wisely is commended in ScriptureWhat Greed IS:- A condition of the heart, not the bank account- Functional worship of money as a surface idol serving deeper idols: Approval, Power, Comfort, or Control/SecurityThree Roots of Greed:- Injury from our past — money stories pressed into us by how we grew up- Idolatry in the present — money as a functional savior- Anxiety over our future — stockpiling against uncertainty rather than trusting God's provisionThree Antidotes:- Simplicity — hold things loosely; give, lend, and acquire less freely- Generosity — surrender ownership; let generosity reorder the heart- Gratitude — receive life as gift rather than grasping for more"We can recognize our excessive attachments in both our dreams and our broken dreams.""The line gets crossed when money stops being a tool in your hand and becomes the place your heart runs to feel safe." — Joseph Yasso"Money is a useful servant, but a terrible God." — Joseph Yasso"Many have called this the experience economy. We've gone from buying things to doing things. A sign of status used to be the logo on your jacket or handbag. Today it's the location of your latest Instagram post." — Josh Butler"Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status. Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you. Learn to enjoy things without owning them. Shun anything that distracts you from seeking first the kingdom of God." — Richard Foster"We can identify virtues like generosity and spiritual disciplines like simplicity not by percentages given, but by their yields in freedom, lightness and joy." — Rebecca DeYoung, Glittering VicesVerses:- Proverbs 4:23- Proverbs 21:20- 1 Timothy 6:7–10- 1 Timothy 4:4–5- Luke 12:13–34- Philippians 2:3–8- 2 Corinthians 8:9- Hebrews 13:5

Lesson Series Today: Parables of JesusLesson Title: Parable of the Rich FoolLesson Preached by: Caleb BladesLesson 1 of 5 Today, Sunday, May 31, 2026

Retirement planning is not about retirement.That's the provocation David opens with — and he means it. This episode isn't another checklist. It's a ground-up rethink of what the 5-to-10-year sprint before retirement actually demands: emotionally, philosophically, and financially.Starting with a question no financial podcast has the nerve to ask — is retirement even a biblical concept? — David works through everything from the psychology of stopping work to the hard mechanics of income portfolios, tax strategy, and the risks that blow up otherwise solid plans.If you've been coasting toward retirement on autopilot, this episode is the alarm clock.In This Episode0:00 — Cold OpenWhy the conventional framing of retirement is wrong, and what this episode is actually going to cover.~3:00 — Is Retirement Even a Biblical Concept?The word never appears in Scripture. The one exception in Numbers 8, what the parables actually teach about accumulation, and why the biblical model looks more like a pivot than a finish line.~9:00 — The Behavioral Trap: What Will You Actually Do?The identity crisis nobody warns you about, retirement depression, underspending vs. overspending, and five questions worth sitting with before you make any financial decisions.~15:00 — The Purpose Problem: Should You Even Fully Retire?The happiest retirees David has seen, the financial benefits of partial work, and why "retire to something" beats "retire from something" every time.~20:00 — Business Owner or Employee: The Decisions Are DifferentW-2 employees: catch-up contributions, pension options, the healthcare gap before Medicare, Social Security timing. Business owners: exit planning, retirement plan vehicles, tax-efficient value extraction, and the concentration risk problem.~26:00 — Accumulation vs. Distribution PortfoliosWhy the portfolio that built your wealth can destroy your retirement. Sequence of returns risk explained plainly — same average return, completely different outcomes.~29:00 — The Bucket StrategyThree buckets, three time horizons, one framework that eliminates panic selling. How Bucket One is your shock absorber and why Bucket Three can still be aggressive.~32:00 — Roth vs. Pre-Tax: The Great DebateIt's almost always "and," not "or." Tax diversification, the Roth conversion window, and why business owners have unique opportunities here.~35:00 — The Risks Nobody Wants to Talk AboutLongevity risk (you live longer than your money does) and long-term care (70% of retirees will need it). What hybrid products exist now and why waiting to have this conversation is itself a costly decision.~38:00 — Spend on Experiences While You Can + Legacy PlanningThe go-go, slow-go, no-go framework. Why retirees wait too long. Legacy basics: beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, donor-advised funds, and the "talk while you can" imperative.Key Takeaways

Is your soul truly experiencing healthy circulation, or is there a "stealth pathogen" causing spiritual congestion?In this fifth message of our series, The Hygiene of My Heart, Charlie Grimes diagnoses the ancient root of greed through a modern medical lens. Using the Greek concept of hygieinos—meaning sound, healthy, and whole—we look at how greed mimics financial wisdom and security while secretly cutting off our spiritual immunity.In this episode, you will discover:How greed acts like a "clogged artery," blocking the life-giving flow of generosity through the soul, and creating isolation.The danger of the "Bigger Barn Syndrome" and what the story of the Rich Fool teaches us about security versus significance.How to use the "Diagnostic Rinse" of systematic giving and "Vitamin G for Generosity" to restore your heart's health.Practical illustrations (like the Dead Sea vs. the Sea of Galilee) to identify spiritual stagnation.Big Idea: Greed is a spiritual "clog" in the soul's arteries that mimics "financial wisdom" while cutting off the life-giving circulation of generosity.Key Scripture: Luke 12:13–21; 2 Corinthians 9:6–10

This week, our study of the parables of Jesus continues with the Parable of the Rich Fool. Pastor Rob Curington shows how Jesus teaches that the wise pursue God, while the foolish pursue self-satisfaction.

What if tomorrow isn't promised? What if today is all you had? How seriously would you take your faith, then? This parable was told by Jesus as a warning to anyone who says, “I'll take my faith seriously once I _______.” That sentence can be filled with a myriad of different things. “I'll take my faith seriously when I finish college.” “I'll take my faith seriously once I have a career.” The truth is, we don't know when our time will come. The time we have here on this earth is precious, and what a waste it turns out to be if we take all this time pursuing material wealth over spiritual riches Go to JesusPodcast.com and receive daily devotionals about Jesus.Today's Bible verse is Mark 16:6 from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on the Biltmore Church Podcast, guest speaker Pastor Kyle Mercer joins us for a practical conversation on Luke 12 and the Parable of the Rich Fool.Most of us wouldn't say that life is about possessions, but we often live like it is. In this episode, we talk about how to recognize that drift, how to define “enough,” and what it looks like to grow in contentment and generosity in a culture that constantly pushes for more.Whether you're trying to make wise financial decisions, raise kids with the right values, or simply find freedom from the pressure of “more,” this conversation will help you take what you heard on Sunday and put it into practice.Check out our recommended resource this week at www.seedtime.com!

In this message, Pastor Jordan Allen shares his personal journey toward pastoral ministry, framing it as a process of knowing God through knowing others and himself. He transitions into Luke 12, where Jesus addresses a man consumed by an inheritance dispute.Jordan highlights the "Parable of the Rich Fool," showing how wealth can create a false sense of security that ignores the reality of our mortality and the needs of our community.Subscribe to AfterWords on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Download a copy of the Exodus JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: podcast@rivchurch.comSubscribe to AfterWords on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Visit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: podcast@rivchurch.com

Luke 12:13-2113 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.”

Click the icon below to listen.

Pastor Jarrod unpacks the Parable of the Rich Fool, explaining how we should invest our finances in what lasts forever—God's Kingdom. New to Echo Grace? We'd love to get to know you! Fill out a quick connect form at https://echograce.com/connect. Want to support our ministries & mission? Your generosity makes a difference. Give at https://echograce.com/give.

What does it really mean to be rich toward God? And what does Jesus have to say about the way we handle money, possessions, and our future?Today, Pastor Aaron McRae explores one of Jesus' most challenging parables in Luke 12 — the story often called the Parable of the Rich Fool. When a man interrupts Jesus with a dispute over inheritance, Jesus uses the moment to expose a deeper issue: greed, misplaced security, and a misunderstanding of what life is truly about.Through this teaching, we wrestle with an uncomfortable but freeing truth: Life is not defined by what we accumulate but by how we relate to God and participate in His kingdom.This message invites us to rethink how we approach stewardship—not as obligation, but as an opportunity to trust God and join His work in the world.You'll discover how intentional planning with our resources can lead to deeper faith, greater joy, and eternal impact.Resources: BooksThe Divine Conspiracy — Dallas WillardLuke: That You May Know the Truth — R. Kent HughesKey Bible Passages (NIV)Luke 12:13–21 — The Parable of the Rich FoolLuke 12:31 — Seek God's KingdomMatthew 6:20–21 — Treasures in HeavenCorinthians 16:1–2 — Planned and Proportional GivingActs11:29–30 — Giving as Each Is AbleProverbs 3:9 — Honor the Lord with Your WealthProverbs 21:20 — Wisdom in SavingProverbs 15:27 — The Cost of GreedProverbs 28:27 — Caring for the PoorTimothy 5:17–18 — Supporting Church LeadershipPhilippians 4:14–16 — Supporting MinistryCorinthians 9:7–11 — Sharing in Spiritual Work1 Chronicles 29:1–20 — Giving for God's HouseNumbers 18:21 — Supporting the LevitesExodus 35:20–29 — Giving Toward God's WorkFor the full gathering of this message which includes worship, visit our Youtube channel. Stay Connected With Hillside Community Church.Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/c/HillsideCommunityChurchInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/hillsidechurches/Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/hillsidechurchesWebsite | https://hillsidechurches.com

As we continue our Journey to Jerusalem series, Pastor Tom Kang takes an honest look at a struggle many of us know all too well: the urge to equate a successful life with an accumulated one.Digging into Luke 12, we explore the parable of the "Rich Fool"—a cautionary tale about a man who was so busy building bigger barns for his stuff that he completely missed out on the life God had for him. This message challenges us to rethink our definition of a "rich life" and asks a vital question: Is your ultimate trust placed in what you own, or in the One who owns it all?Join us as we learn what it means to live open-handedly and trade the pressure of accumulation for a deep, rich relationship with God.

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” — Matthew 16:26 Those words from Jesus confront one of the deepest questions we can ask about money and success. Jesus spoke them to His disciples as He taught about the cost of following Him. In that moment, He contrasted two pursuits: gaining the world and preserving the soul. The question still echoes today: Is there a spiritual cost to financial success? On today's episode of Faith & Finance, John Rinehart, founder and CEO of Gospel Patrons, joined the show to explore that very question and what Scripture teaches about wealth, work, and spiritual health. The Bible's Honest Warnings About Wealth Financial success itself is not condemned in Scripture. In fact, the Bible includes many faithful believers who possessed great wealth—Abraham, Job, and Lydia among them. Yet Scripture also carries repeated warnings about the spiritual dangers that prosperity can create. As John explained on the show, wealth can be both a blessing and a temptation. The danger arises when our hearts begin to trust money instead of God. Jesus addressed this tension directly in Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and money.” The issue is not the possession of wealth but the mastery of wealth over the human heart. And in a culture that celebrates success, possessions, and financial independence, those warnings are easy to overlook. The Cycle of Success That Can Lead to Spiritual Failure John describes a pattern many people fall into—a cycle of success that can quietly lead to spiritual drift. It often begins with a view of work that centers on earning money so we can eventually rest. We work hard, pursue success, and over time, our effort produces prosperity. Hard work and prosperity themselves are not wrong. In fact, Scripture often affirms diligence. But prosperity introduces a new danger. As John noted during the conversation, success can gradually lead us to forget the God who provided it in the first place. When we begin to see wealth as the product of our own ability rather than God's provision, our dependence on Him begins to fade. Before long, success that once felt like a blessing can become a spiritual trap. The Warning of the Rich Fool Jesus illustrates this danger in the Parable of the Rich Fool in Luke 12:16–21. In the story, a farmer experiences an abundant harvest. Faced with overflowing crops, he decides to tear down his barns and build bigger ones to store them all. From a purely financial perspective, his plan sounds wise. But Jesus reveals the deeper problem. The man begins speaking to himself as though his wealth guarantees security and ease: “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” — Luke 12:19 Then comes the shocking turn. “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you.'” — Luke 12:20 The problem wasn't the harvest—it was forgetting God. This story hits close to home in a culture that often equates success with building bigger barns. The Danger of Forgetting the Source This warning appears long before Jesus told that parable. As Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land, Moses cautioned them about the spiritual risks that accompany prosperity. In Deuteronomy 8:17–18, he warned: “Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.' You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth.” John highlighted this verse as a key reminder: even the ability to create wealth is a gift from God. When we forget that truth, wealth easily shifts from blessing to idol. When Wealth Chokes Out Spiritual Fruit Jesus also warned that wealth can quietly interfere with spiritual growth. In the Parable of the Sower, He describes seeds that begin growing but are eventually overwhelmed by thorns. He explains the meaning in Mark 4:19: “The cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” John also noted how startling that statement is. The Word of God is powerful, yet Jesus says the deceitfulness of riches can still choke its fruitfulness in a person's life. Wealth promises security and satisfaction—but it often delivers anxiety and distraction instead. God's Better Rhythm for Life Thankfully, Scripture offers a healthier path. John explained that instead of structuring life around work and wealth, God invites us into a different rhythm—one that begins with rest. The Sabbath command in Exodus 20:8–10 reminds us that our lives are not sustained by constant productivity. Rest re-centers our hearts. It draws our attention back to God through worship, Scripture, and time with the community of faith. From that place of rest, work becomes something different. Instead of merely trading time for money, work becomes an act of service and worship—an opportunity to use the gifts God has given us to bless others. When prosperity comes from that posture, it is received differently. Instead of assuming ownership, we begin to recognize stewardship. As Deuteronomy 8:18 reminds us, God is the one who provides the power to create wealth. That truth reshapes how we think about money. Our resources are no longer simply tools for personal comfort—they become opportunities to participate in God's work. And that leads naturally to generosity. The Role of “Gospel Patrons” John's ministry, Gospel Patrons, highlights a powerful biblical pattern. Throughout Scripture and church history, movements of God have often been supported by generous believers whose financial resources helped fuel gospel work. Even during Jesus' ministry, Luke 8:3 tells us that several women helped support Him and His disciples “out of their means.” These supporters—often business leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals—play a vital role in advancing the mission of God. They may not always preach sermons or travel as missionaries, but their faithful stewardship enables those ministries to flourish. Your Work Can Matter for Eternity One of the most encouraging points Reinhardt shared on the program is that believers working in business or professional careers are not second-class participants in God's Kingdom. Your daily work matters. When your work is offered to God, your resources stewarded faithfully, and your generosity directed toward His mission, your life becomes part of something eternal. Financial success does not have to lead to spiritual failure. When we remember the source of our wealth and steward it with humility and generosity, our work can become a powerful instrument in advancing God's Kingdom. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I'm 68 and recently retired. With a home for sale and significant cash on hand, I'm trying to determine the best way to begin withdrawing from my 401(k) without pushing myself into a higher tax bracket before RMDs begin. What's the best strategy? My husband and I are doing Roth conversions, and our CPA suggested funding a charitable giving account to offset the taxes and then using it for our regular tithe. Is it biblically and ethically appropriate to tithe from a charitable account like that? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Gospel Patrons Gospel Patrons: People Whose Generosity Changed The World by John Rinehart Breaking the Cycle (Article by John Rinehart in Faithful Steward Magazine, Issue 1) An Uncommon Guide to Retirement: Finding God's Purpose for the Next Season of Life by Jeff Haanen Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Stewardship of Money & Possessions: do you have a Money problem or a Master problem? Pastor Corey reads the Parable of the Rich Fool and points out that we aren't meant to be reservoirs with our money. We're meant to be rivers — ever flowing and connected to the main source, our Heavenly Father.

Jesus exposes the lie that life is found in more–more money, more stuff, more security, more control. This parable warns us how easily wealth can shrink our vision and isolate us from others. The Kingdom reframes our resources around generosity, gratitude, and readiness for God's purposes.⚫CONNECT WITH US: