Bible moment
The Bible moment
In Luke 12:13–21, Jesus warns the crowd that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. He tells about a rich man whose land produces an abundant harvest. The man plans to tear down his barns, build larger ones, store his grain and goods, and tell himself to relax and enjoy life for many years. God calls him a fool and tells him that his life will be required that night. His stored possessions cannot save him or go with him. Jesus concludes that this is what happens to someone who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. The passage does not say that wealth itself is inherently wrong; it focuses on self-centered storing up and forgetting God and others.
Look closely
What children can notice
A gentle, non-graphic symbolic scene shows the rich man beside stored possessions while an open path or quiet nighttime setting communicates that his life ends unexpectedly and the possessions remain behind. God’s words may be represented through respectful lettering or a radiant, non-human divine presence, not as a generic elderly man.
Talk together
Talk about it
- Why could the rich man’s possessions not secure his life?
- What might being rich toward God look like today?
For families, church, and class
Use this page
Use this page with older children when teaching Luke 12:13–21. Explain the man’s death gently and without graphic details. Emphasize gratitude, generosity, and valuing people over possessions, while clarifying that the passage addresses self-centered storing up rather than condemning wealth itself. Invite children to consider how they can honor God with what they have.
Source note
From this passage
Luke 12:20 · The Rich Fool
A gentle, non-graphic symbolic scene shows the rich man beside stored possessions while an open path or quiet nighttime setting communicates that his life ends unexpectedly and the possessions remain behind. God’s words may be represented through respectful lettering or a radiant, non-human divine presence, not as a generic elderly man.
