Why Jesus calls the rich a ‘fool

In today’s gospel, Jesus relates about the rich man whom he said was a fool and selfish (Lk 12, 13-21).

- FR. BEL SAN LUIS, SVD

The rich farmer in the parable could be a landowner, growing rice in Nueva Ecija or corn or mango in Cebu.

An abundant harvest forces him to tear down his existing barns and builds larger ones. With all his possessions snugly secured, the happy farmer congratulates himself, saying “eat, drink, and be merry.” He has now security protected from financial loss. And yet Jesus calls him a fool! Why?

The reason is because the rich man did not go farther. Jesus wants us to respond to our instinct of security and hoarding worldly possessions but, more importantly, sharing them. That’s why Jesus says, "Avoid greed in all its forms. A man may be wealthy, but his possessions do not guarantee him life."