PARABLE 7 - The Rich Fool

PARABLE 7 — LUKE 12:15-21 — THE RICH FOOL

21 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Read Luke 12:1-14. While Jesus is teaching a man suddenly ask Jesus to speak to his brother so that his brother would spilt his inheritance with him. Jesus answered and said, “Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?

Jesus then spoke to the crowd and said, “Listen to this, beware of covetousness!” Jesus said a man’s life does not consist of how many things he possesses in this life.

Jesus then spoke the parable of a certain rich man that had plenty.

  

Discussion Questions – Parable 7

PARABLE 7 — LUKE 12:15-21 — THE RICH FOOL

1. What does covetousness mean? 

The Merriam-Webster’s dictionary describes covetousness to mean – “feeling or showing a very strong desire for something that you do not have and especially for something that belongs to someone else.”  The Strong’s Concordance describes it to mean – “greedy desire to have more.”

2. In Verse 15, Jesus said, “Beware.” Is that a strong warning or simply a caution? 

Older Bible translations have “take heed” and the NIV and Holman have “watch out” which seem more like a caution. But “beware” is probably the best translation of the original Greek and it is an intensive term. And because it is such a strong forceful word, it is rarely followed by an exclamation mark. We would not expect to see a sign, “Beware of wet paint,” or “Beware, new grass planted,” because the word is too strong for the occasion. But it is more likely to be used on a sign like, “Beware – Vicious Dog,” or “Beware – Bridge Out.” Thus, when Jesus used the word “beware,” he was indicating great danger. 

Other places we find the word is used in:

Matthew 7:15 – Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but 

inwardly are ravaging wolves. 

Luke 12:1 – Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

3. How does greed show up in a person’s life? Do you see this in your life?

Jesus’ strong warning here is about greed. He says, “Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” He is explaining that the essential, fundamental evil and error of covetousness is being eagerly desirous of wealth or possessions; that covetousness makes one think that life is made up of and controlled by the things you possess. And don’t we often feel that way? If we have material goods, we are “better off” or even just plain “better” than those who do not have them. 

This is what the Lord was charging when he asked the rhetorical question in the Sermon on the Mount, “Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” (Matthew 6:25) Your life’s value, your soul’s worth, is not measured by what you own. “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and to lose his soul?” (Mark. 8:36) Jesus would never have asked those questions if the covetousness’ theme were true—that is that your life is measured by what you possess. It is not what you own, it is what owns you that really matters.

After posing the warning about greed in straight-forward language, Jesus goes on to tell a parable about it. Often, he only tells the parable, but in this case he’s waving a red danger flag first. 

4. Is it wrong or a bad thing to be rich? If not, what’s the big problem? 

Absolutely not. Abraham, Jacob, Solomon and Job were not simply rich; they were “very rich.” The rich man in this parable is not criticized or condemned because he was wealthy.

Wealth itself does not damn, and neither does poverty save. Wealth is not a vice. Poverty is not a virtue. It may be hard to believe, but many people with no money will go to hell over the riches they so strongly desire. At least that is what Paul writes to Timothy, “But people who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge them into ruin and destruction.” (1 Tim. 6:9). So it is not riches but the “trust” in riches that dooms men (Mark 10:23-35). 

It is this trust, this belief in material substance that condemned the rich man. Five times he used the personal pronoun “my.” He referred to “my crops, my barns, my grain, my goods, myself.” That is not evil, either, for there is a sense in which things do belong to us; we “own” them (Acts 5:4; Matthew 20:15). However, in this case it was the absorbing, consuming thought of his life, and that is wrong. Even building the barns was not wrong—he actually acted wisely in building larger barns for his surplus lest it rot or be eaten by scavenger animals. But, he acted foolishly in allowing his goods to secure, as he thought they did, his soul. [For Verse 12:19, early translations say “And I will say to my soul...” whereas later translations make hits “I will say to myself...”In this case, I think the earlier literal translation is probably better.] 

The man imagined “many years” of ease and security, many years in which he could take it easy, eat, drink, and be merry. How does the rest of that phrase go? “For tomorrow we die,” but the rich man did not consider death. He stopped with “merry.” He forgot, “for tomorrow we die.” But in this case, even if he had said it, he would have been in error. It was not, “tomorrow,” but “this very night your life (or your soul) will be demanded of you.” 

5. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon spoke of two items in this story. How does Ecclesiastes 5:15 fit in? Later, in Ecclesiastes 8:15, Solomon says, “So I commended pleasure, for there is nothing good for a man under the sun except to eat and to drink and to be merry, and this will stand by him in his toils throughout the days of his life which God has given him under the sun.” Is the Bible giving us conflicting advice? 

Eccl 5:15 – “We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us.” [NLT] So neither the devil nor this world can give you one single item that will not be snatched and taken from you the moment you die. We all go into bankruptcy at death. We leave it all. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon then wondered whether his riches might not go to a fool who would throw it all away (Eccl. 2:18-19). Even earlier, David said this same thing in Psalm 39:6 – “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be.” And again in Psalm 49:10 – “...even wise men die; the stupid and the senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others.” 

But the rich man did not foresee this eventuality. He was oblivious to eternity. David said it in Psalm 49:6-9 and Jesus said it here. Your wealth will not do you one jot of good when you die—the only thing that counts is being “rich toward God.” 

The big difference between this parable and what Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 8:15 “...eat, drink, and be merry...” is that he is saying it gratefully in thanks that “God has given him wealth and possessions and enables him to enjoy them” (Eccl 5:19). A few verses later, he adds that one should “be joyful that God favors what you do” (Eccl 9:7). He is not saying it arrogantly or pridefully as the rich man in the parable is. 

6. Does this parable say you should not plan for retirement or that you should not save money or valuables? In one sentence, what does being “rich toward God” actually mean? 

Absolutely not; saving money and planning ahead are good things. The Bible in many places stresses using one’s money and gifts wisely. Other parables actually advise us to increase our wealth, to be good caretakers of what God has entrusted to us, to help the poor and those less fortunate (often spoken of as widows and orphans). This is how we show we are “rich toward God.” This is the antidote to covetousness. It is the man who has his priorities in order who sees to the wealth and prosperity of his soul. Paul says it again to Timothy, “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.” (1 Tim. 6:17, NLT). 

In one sentence, what does being “rich toward God” actually mean? Does it mean to?

(a) seek first the kingdom of God, 

(b) give most of your money to the church and the poor, 

(c) use your abilities and resources to further God’s kingdom, 

(e) something else? 

I’ll give you a hint?What did Jesus say in Matthew 6:19-21? “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where you treasure is, there will your heart be also.” 

7. With what parts of the parable can you identify? What parts of the parable make you uncomfortable? (12:16-20)

8. Why is it difficult for us to accept the fact that our life and things are temporary? What step can you take this week to become less dependent upon your possessions? 

PARABLE 8 - Watchfulness

PARABLE 8 — LUKE 12:35-40 — WATCHFULNESS 

40 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. 40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Discussion Questions – Parable 8

PARABLE 8 — LUKE 12:35-40 — WATCHFULNESS 

1. What is it like to wait for someone without knowing when he or she is coming? (Think hours, days, weeks, months.) 

Have you ever been late meeting someone for lunch? Have you ever forgotten about an appointment or forgotten to call someone after you said you’d get back to him? Of course you have. How do you think the other person felt? How do you feel when this happens to you? What if you expect to hear about a job application in a week and don’t hear anything after 2 weeks? What if your taxes are being audited and you expect to hear something in 2 months and 4 months go by without hearing anything? What if you son is traveling around

Australia and he says he’ll call “when he has a chance” and after 6 months you’re still waiting to hear from him? 

2. How were the servants to be while waiting for their master? (12:35-36) How long did Jesus say the servants should be willing to wait for their master? (12:38) How does this translate to you today? 

The servants were to be dressed. Early translations say, “loins girded” meaning the loose outer garments gathered up for work or travel, not let loose for sleeping. Lamps were to be burning. In these two images, Jesus says, “be prepared” and “be awake” even if many dull hours have passed and you’re very tired. 

How long to wait? Jesus didn’t really say, but implied the master might not come home until quite late, “the third watch.” Night was divided into four watches by the Romans: (1) 6:00 - 9:00 pm, (2) 9:00 pm - midnight, (3) midnight - 3:00 am, (4) 3:00 - 6:00 am. The Jews had only three watches during the night: (1) sunset - 10:00 pm, (2) 10:00 pm - 2:00 am, (3) 2:00 am - sunrise. The parable probably referred to the last two of the Jewish watches. The wedding banquet would have begun in the first watch right after sunset. 

Today, are you waiting for the second coming? Are you prepared if it were to happen tonight? Are you ready? Most of us are not. Most of us would like just a little more time to prepare. Most of us say I need more time to read my Bible. I’m just so busy with everything else, but maybe I’ll have more time next week. Or next year. Or never. 

3. What happened to the servants who were watching properly? (12:37) 

In Verse 37 Jesus says, “It will be good for those servants [that is, believers] whose master finds them watching when he comes.” Then, having said that, he says something that is totally not expected from Middle Eastern culture. He says, “...I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.” 

Notice in actual life back then the master would come home to his house, knock on the door, and find his servants ready. They open the door, escort him in, hang up his coat; they show him to his favorite chair and they give him a hot drink. They say, “Do you want a bath?” They’ve already warmed the water because there were no hot showers in those days. Basically, they greet him with an attitude of “we are ready to serve you.” 

But, in the parable, we read the very opposite. In Verse 37 when it says “he will dress himself to serve, the “he” does not refer to the servants. It is a singular word and it refers to the master. So here we have the master girding himself up and saying, “I want you servants to recline at my table and I will serve you.” That is a huge difference between a Middle Eastern lord or master, who would absolutely never do that. So in the story who does the master represent? The Lord Jesus Christ. The wedding banquet that the master went to would seem to be a symbol for the enthronement of Jesus in heaven and it points to his return for the final judgment for which he wants every believer, every one of you to be prepared. 

4. For what are we to be watchful? What does watchfulness involve? Why is watchfulness not a passive activity? What are the three main messages of this parable? 

We must be watchful and ready for Jesus’ return at any moment. Jesus’ return is certain but the time is not known. In Matthew 24:36, it says, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” A specific outline of the future would actually be a hindrance, not a help, to faith. Certain signs have been given, but not for the purpose of making detailed predictions. 

Watchfulness is not passive or easy. As Luke warns in 21:34 – “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.” 

The three messages in this parable: 

1) The disciples—and all believers—must be ready for a return of Jesus at any moment. As verse 40 says, “the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” 

2) You must not allow for a delay that will reduce your expectancy nor slow the progress of your preparedness (vs 38). You must not let this delay discourage you so you fall into a trap or get overwhelmed by the drudgeries and anxieties of life. 

3) You must faithfully manage the resources that have been entrusted to you by God. Don’t forget, you are stewards—caretakers—not owners. As the last parable emphasized, you can’t take it with you. 

5. What responsibilities or duties might God demand of you? What can you do for God in your area of responsibility? 

PARABLE 9 - The Faithful Servants and Wicked Servants

PARABLE 9 ~ LUKE 12:42-48 ~ THE FAITHFUL AND WICKED SERVANTS  

42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. 45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

  

Discussion Questions – Parable 9

PARABLE 9 ~ LUKE 12:42-48 ~ THE FAITHFUL AND WICKED SERVANTS  

1. Who are the servants? Only the redeemed? Does this parable apply to everyone?

When Jesus speaks of “servants” is he referring only to those who have been redeemed, born of God, the true believers? Or is it referring to everyone who reckons himself, or is reckoned a servant of God by others, which would include nominal Christians, and even Scribes and Pharisees as being the servant he speaks of?

Luke 12:41 – And Peter said, “Lord, are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone {else} as well?” 

In the previous parable (#8 Watchfulness) Peter recognized the general meaning of Jesus’ teaching, but now asks for clarification. He wants to know if this exhortation to be prepared applies to all people or just to the disciples? Jesus answers this by giving another parable (12:42-46), in which it is clearly stated that the consequence for not being prepared is total rejection and dismissal to the place of the unfaithful—and that it applies to everyone. 

2. What about the man who was cut in pieces and assigned a place with the unbelievers? (12:42-44) 

The unwise and wicked servant makes two mistakes. First he says, “I’ll do whatever I want while my master is away,” forgetting that the Day of Judgment must come. Human beings have a habit of having two different attitudes toward God. Sometimes, we remember that God is present, and at others, we may not think of Him at all. Some go about their daily lives without a thought of God coming back at all, and do as they please.

Second, the unwise and wicked servant, says, “I have plenty of time to put things right before the master comes.” How many if asked to come live for God say, “One day I will. I’m just not ready right now.” Nothing may be more harmful than to assume we have more time.

For those of you who call Jesus Lord, and even perhaps hold some position of service or authority in the visible church, but if you don’t actually serve – if you don’t actually treat Jesus as Lord, you will be assigned a place with the unbelievers. For that is what you really are. In the parallel passage (Matthew 24:51) these same are assigned to a place with the hypocrites, just as Jesus said, “Woe to you, teachers of the laws and Pharisees, you hypocrites!” 

There are a number of “Christians” who consider themselves among the religious elite, yet abuse the servants of Christ even slandering them and teaching false things and who abuse the resources God has entrusted to them for the purpose of satisfying their own personal passions and ambitions. They will not escape condemnation.

There are two extremes of these people. The ones beating the servants represent the legalists. They may be more likened to the scribes and Pharisees in Jesus’ times. Then there are those who eat, drink, and get drunk. These represent the lawless Christians – who go on to live a lifestyle of sin.

These are both speaking of “nominal” Christians – those who associate themselves with the visible church, but have not been born of God, not having the quality of faith that saves. They will be cut to pieces and assigned to the same place as an unbeliever (verse 12:46).

One’s assurance of salvation should not be overly presumptuous about whether one has been born of God. We base our assurance of our justification upon the atoning work of Christ alone. But to be qualified to receive such justification, we have to have a faith of quality acceptable to God. We base our assurance that we have been born of God upon our performance. As it is written: “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.” (1 John 3:9-10) And in particular, “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.” (1 John 2:3)

3. What is the reward for service mentioned here? 

What is God’s reward for a job well done? God will give them more responsibilities. What! I thought that we enter His rest! What’s this about more responsibilities? Just as the wife in the marriage relationship was made to serve her husband, so we were made to serve God. Of course in this age of self-centered pleasure seeking and rebelliousness, many Christians have lost perspective both on the purpose of many of the basic role relationships and even concerning their relationship with Christ. Many accept Christ as Savior only, but only as some type of servant, whose sole purpose is to serve them. The fact that Christ is Lord has escaped many a “Christian” in practice.

The more responsibilities we have, the more we will be held responsible for. On the positive side, the more responsibilities, the greater the potential reward. But then again, the more the potential punishment.

5. The parable identifies four kinds of servants:
a) One who knows what he should do, and does the right thing.
b) One who knows what he should do, but does the wrong thing.
c) One who knows what he should do, but doesn’t do anything.
d) One who does not know what he should do, and does the wrong thing 

What is the fate of each of them? Which one do you identify with? 

Let’s consider each of these. We’ve already looked at the one who knows what he should do and does the right thing. He gets rewarded with more responsibilities and blessings. Jesus repeats this logic again in the second part of the last verse when he says, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” When Jesus says something twice in a few minutes, what does that mean? Pay attention! This is important. He’s saying, “learn the right thing to do—and DO it!” 

Okay, so now what if you know what you should do but deliberately decide to do the wrong thing? In this parable that meant beating the other servants, feasting on the master’s food and getting drunk. What happened then? 

Luke 12:46 – the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect {him,} and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and will banish him with the unbelievers. 

And the one who knows what he should do, but does nothing? What happens then? This clearly indicates the administration of a more severe punishment upon the one who is openly and obviously rebellious against God. 

The final word: Luke 12:48 – And from everyone who has been given much shall much be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more. 

When Jesus returns, all who have trusted in Him, and done His will, will be gathered out of the earth, taken to heaven, and enter into eternal fellowship with Jesus and other believers and into everlasting peace. “And the world will pass away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God will live forever.” (1 John 2:17)

6. Over what has God give you stewardship (you, personally)? What do you think God wants you to do with it (be specific)? How would God evaluate the job you’re doing? How can you improve the job you’re doing? 

The parable of the faithful and wicked servants admonishes us to be faithful and wise in carrying out responsibilities and relationships with our fellow servants, our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ.

Since this parable applies to everyone, Christ admonishes us to lead in a way that unites and inspire others to be faithful. We do this by giving them the truth, a good example, and encouragement. In this way, we become wise and faithful stewards of the trust God has given us.

God gives us resources such as finances and time, talents such as culinary skills or musical ability, and spiritual gifts such as encouragement or teaching. We should ask God for wisdom on how to use those resources and commit ourselves to expending them according to His will so that He may be glorified. In regards to spiritual gifts, Paul said, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:6–8). This is simply responsible stewardship.

Don’t take positions of service lightly. If you call Jesus Lord, treat Him that way. Don’t be presumptuous about your salvation status if your behavior is inconsistent with that expected from one born of God. Rather, Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you – unless, of course, you fail the test? (2 Corinthians 13:5) In summary, whoever is entrusted with duties must perform them faithfully, prepared at all times to account for what he has done. The key words in this parable are faithful, wise, and ready!

Are you a wise, true, and faithful servant that has made yourself ready? Are you born again as Jesus and the apostles taught? Then please visit my blog and read “Plan of Salvation”.

The Faithful and Wicked Servants Poem

It will be good for that servant whom the Lord puts in charge 

Of his fellow servants, His reward will be large 

If he carries out his duties a reward he will earn 

When the master finds him doing so after his return 

He will give him charge of all his possessions. 

But concerning his return, suppose the servant questions 

"My master is taking a long time to come", 

He then beats servants and abuses some 

He becomes legalistic or perhaps even lawless 

His performance is to say the least far from flawless 

The master of that servant will come when he does not expect 

Even though that servant may think he's one of the elect 

He'll be cut in pieces and assigned a place 

With the unbelievers, rather than in God's grace 

If he does not act, though the master's will he knows 

He will then be beaten and that with many blows. 

And those who do not know, though behaving bad 

Will be beaten less than his fellow comrade 

From those given much, much will be demanded 

So act responsibly or else be reprimanded

PARABLE 10 - Unfruitful Fig Tree

PARABLE 10 — LUKE 13:6-9 — UNFRUITFUL FIG TREE

                  

6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.

7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?

8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

Discussion Questions – Parable 10

PARABLE 10 – LUKE 13:6-9 – UNFRUITFUL FIG TREE 

1. What is the context in which Jesus tells the parable of the barren fig tree?

What we are given for today is the parable from Jesus about a fig tree planted in a vineyard. It sounds unnatural for a fig tree to be planted in a vineyard, but it seems that it wasn’t all that strange after all. Figs, along with grapes, have been altogether quite familiar in Israel from of old; they have been used as tree stands letting the grape vines be entwined upon them. Well, because [this one in our story] was planted in the good earth of the vineyard, it was expected to be fruitful. But yet, there stood the fig tree fruitless for years. Jesus began to speak as follows: “A certain man planted a fig tree in a vineyard, but when he came to look for its fruit, he didn’t find any,” (verse six). So, finally, the owner of the vineyard ordered the garden keeper to chop that tree down. Better Chop It Down! 

First, let’s listen to the words of the owner of the vineyard. He says, “Even though already for three years I have been coming to search for fruit on this fig tree, I have never found any at all. So, chop it down. Why let the ground be plugged up for this?” (vs. 7). 

Just before this parable the following words are found. “Unless you all repent, you will perish the same way,” (vs. 5). In other words, this parable is given in the context of “the judgment of God.” 

2. In this parable, who are the characters represented by the fig tree, the owner, and the gardener? What do the figs (or fruit) represent? 

The three characters represented in the story all have clear symbolic significance. The vineyard owner represents God, the one who rightly expects to see fruit on His tree and who justly decides to destroy it when He finds none. The gardener, or vineyard keeper who cares for the trees, watering and fertilizing them to bring them to their peak of fruitfulness, represents Jesus, who feeds His people and gives them living water. The tree itself has two symbolic meanings: the nation of Israel and the individual.

3. What eventually happens? Is the tree cut down? Does the owner give it another year? If so, does it bear fruit? 

As the story unfolds, we see the vineyard owner expressing his disappointment at the fruitless tree. He has looked for fruit for three years from this tree, but has found none. The three-year period is significant because for three years John the Baptist and Jesus had been preaching the message of repentance throughout Israel. But the fruits of repentance were not forthcoming. John the Baptist warned the people about the Messiah coming and told them to bring forth fruits fit for repentance because the ax was already laid at the root of the tree (Luke 3:8-9). But the Jews were offended by the idea they needed to repent, and they rejected their Messiah because He demanded repentance from them. After all, they had the revelation of God, the prophets, the Scriptures, the covenants, and the adoption (Romans 9:4-5). They had it all, but they were already defected. They had departed from the true faith and the true and living God and created a system of works-righteousness that was an abomination to God. He, as the vineyard owner, was perfectly justified in tearing down the tree that had no fruit. The Lord’s ax was already poised over the root of the tree, and it was ready to fall. 

However, we see the gardener pleading here for a little more time. There were a few months before the crucifixion, and more miracles to come, especially the incredible miracle of the raising of Lazarus from the dead, which would astound many and perhaps cause the Jews to repent. As it turned out, Israel as a nation still did not believe, but individuals certainly did (John 12:10-11). The compassionate gardener intercedes for more time to water and fertilize the fruitless tree, and the gracious Lord of the vineyard responds in patience.

Jesus is still interceding for us, “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one – for Christ died, yea rather, was raised to life, who is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us (Romans 8:33-34).

4. What is the message of this parable? 

The lesson for the individual is that borrowed time is not permanent. God's patience has a limit. In the parable, the vineyard owner grants another year of life to the tree. In the same way, God in His mercy grants us another day, another hour, another breath. Christ stands at the door of each man’s heart knocking and seeking to gain entrance and requiring repentance from sin. But if there is no fruit, no repentance, His patience will come to an end, and the fruitless, unrepentant individual will be cut down. We all live on borrowed time; judgment is near. 

That is why the prophet Isaiah wrote, "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon" (Isaiah 55:6-7).

As mentioned at the beginning, this parable is given in the context of “God’s judgment.” When we think of how it is on God’s judgment, our thoughts inevitably turn to whether we will be chopped down or saved on “the last day.” However, the parable of Jesus draws our eyes so apt to turn to “the last day” back to “now, this hour.” For, the main thing is not “the last day, but “now, this hour” in which we stand under the intercession of Christ and are shown God’s mercy and patience. It is always the “now, this hour” that has do to with repentance. We must respond with gravity to this hour given to us as a gift of grace for now, for the very present moment. Paul had something to say on this, “Right now is the hour of grace; right now is the day of salvation,” (2 Corinthians 6:2). 

Read John 15:1-10

To know more about repentance - see my blog "What is Repentance?"

PARABLE 11 - The Sower, Seed, And Four Types of Soil

PARABLE 11 ~ MATTHEW 13:3-23 ~ THE SOWER, SEED, AND FOUR TYPES OF SOIL

3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 

14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

JESUS INTERPRETS THE PARABLE.

18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

  

Discussion Questions – Parable 11

PARABLE 11 ~ MATTHEW 13:3-23 ~ THE SOWER, SEED, AND FOUR TYPES OF SOIL  

1. Now, the meaning of this parable isn’t difficult to comprehend, because Jesus explains it later in Matthew 13:18-23. Who is the sower? What is the seed? And what do the four types of soil represent?

Though this parable is more commonly named after the sower of the seed, I purposely titled this parable "The Sower, Seed and Four Types of Soil", because each is symbolic and important to the point made by the parable.  The Sower is Jesus.  The Seed is His message of the kingdom (the gospel).  The four types of soil represent the four possibilities of what can happen when people hear the message.  And as we’ll see, three out of the four give in to circumstances and pressures.

2. Why would a farmer allow precious seed to land on the path, or rocks, or among thorns? Is he an irresponsible farmer scattering seeds at random? 

This parable appears in all three synoptic gospels (Matthew 13:3-9, Mark 4:1-9, and Luke 8:4-8). The parable is simple: the sower (Christ) scatters his seed generously and it ends up on four different types of terrain. Some land on the side of the road, some on rocks, others in thorny soil, and some in good soil. The first three groups of seed don’t survive and the seed planted in the good soil flourishes. 

Think About the Sower, if we reread the parable from the perspective of the sower, we get a better understanding of it and why Jesus himself emphasized the idea of sowing the seed. Jesus tells us that the farmer scattered seed (the Word of God) on all types of ground. He didn’t say that the farmer was meticulously planting the seeds in designated ‘good soil’ areas in nice neat rows – Jesus says he was scattering the seed everywhere. 

Actually, this method of planting wasn’t so strange back in Biblical times because the custom of planting was to first scatter the seed and then plow it into the soil.

3. What happened to each group of seeds?

Some of the seed fell on a path. A path is where many people have walked, and the dirt there is well worn. The ground of a path is harder than the ground on either side of it. The more people walk on a path, the more “packed down” the dirt becomes. The seed that fell on the path could not sink down into the dirt. Before the seed could even take root, some birds came and ate the seed.

Some of the seed that he scattered fell onto rocky places. Do you see much dirt there? No. Do you think that this is a good place for things to grow? No. It is possible for things to grow on the rocks, but usually, plants don’t live long. Plants must have roots down in the soil. But in rocky places, the hard rocks block the roots. Any seed that started to grow in the thin soil soon withered in the intense heat and died.

Other seed fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and crowded out the plants. Have any of you had to pull weeds out of your yard or garden? What is the number one rule about pulling weeds? You must get the roots out! If you don’t pull out the roots, the weeds will grow back. Weeds are very strong and forceful. Wherever there are weeds, they take over the good plants. The strong roots of the weeds use up all the nutrients in the soil, and the plants are left with nothing. These plants barely grow at all; they don’t produce fruit or vegetables.

Finally, other seed fell on good soil. It produced a crop 100, 60, or 30 times more than what was planted. Farming experts know just what kind of soil is needed for their crops. They will add the right kind of fertilizer (vitamins and nutrients) so their plants can grow. They want their seeds to grow into large, healthy plants that will give them good fruits and vegetables. If it is done right, a handful of seeds will produce bushels full of good things to eat!

4. How did Jesus conclude his parable? What did he mean by that? (13:9) 

Jesus knew that most of the people in the crowd would say, “Wow, great story,” and move along with their lives. When he ended the parable with, ‘he who has ears to hear, let him hear,’ Jesus was challenging them to think about the meaning of the parable. 

That’s the message for us too. Think about these different types of soil not only with respect to other people, but with respect to yourself as well. It’s tempting to say, “oh, well, he’s like the rocky soil or he’s like the soil with all the thorns.” But Jesus is suggesting that you think about it with respect to your own life and the several types of soil that you personally might have experienced. 

5. Why is perseverance necessary for all who receive the Word? (Luke 8:15) How long did it take for you to understand the gospel of Christ? 

Jesus said that the same seed produced no crop, some crop, or a great crop. The seed was the same in every place, but the condition of the soil was different.

This may seem like a strange story for Jesus to tell. But remember, many of the people who were listening to Jesus were farmers. They knew a lot about dirt and soil. Jesus was talking to them using words and word pictures that they could understand. Jesus wasn’t teaching them something new about farming. He was using what they already understood about farming to teach them something they didn’t know about the kingdom of God.

This is what Jesus was saying to the people: The seed that is sown is the gospel - the good news about Jesus.

The soils are the hearts of the people who make a choice about the message. The condition of a person’s heart can be compared to the different kinds of soils that received the seed.

Now we’ll look at this story again with the understanding of what each part of the story stands for. If the seed stands for the truth of Jesus, the Word of God, and the soil is the hearts of people, what would it mean to scatter the seed on the soil of your heart? What must you do? Listen for answers. It happens when someone hears the truth through teaching, or reading the Bible.

6. What kind of soil do you most resemble right now? What worries or temptations have hindered your growth as a Christian recently? Now let’s look at the four different “soils,” or hearts:

Wayside (hard path): Some of the seed fell on a path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some people hear the truth, but like hardened paths, they do not let it sink into their hearts (Zechariah 7:12), they are hardened by sin, they hear the word but don’t understand it. Soon Satan takes the truth away. (In the Bible, birds are sometimes a picture of Satan.) If people do not receive and respond to the word with faith, their opportunity will be stolen by the evil one.

The wayside soil is beaten down again and again by passing feet. At first soft, the soil hardens more and more until it becomes almost like rock. So human hearts, at first tender and sensitive to every impression, are trodden over by a thousand influences as life goes on, and often grow like the beaten wayside.

One way in which human hearts are thus hardened, is by resisting good impressions. Another way is by life’s ordinary experiences treading over them like passing feet. Still another way is by sinful habits. Thus it is with the heart over which the heavy feet of lust, sensuality, greed, selfishness, and passion are allowed to tread. They beat it down into hardness, and when the seed falls on hardened soil, it lies uncovered, not sinking in, and the watchful hungry birds come soon and pick it up. Just so does Satan do with the good word of God that falls upon hardened hearts – he comes and takes it away.

Rocky Places: Next, some of the seed fell onto rocky places. These people hear the message with great joy, but like seeds on rocky soil, they do not let it take root. They seem to be happy to hear about Jesus and His great love, but they do not let it sink into their hearts. On the outside, they may express great enthusiasm, but inwardly, they do not carefully consider it. There were great crowds who followed Jesus, but only a few were His true disciples. When these people face pressure or bad circumstances, they quickly forget about God’s word. A true believer follows Jesus no matter what.

Some of the “rocky” people may be under the misunderstanding that God will take away all of their problems. Therefore, when problems arrive, they fall away. God’s word never promises that life will be easy, without any trials. He promises something far better. He promises that He will be with us in our problems. He promises that everything will work together for our good - to become godlier and to bring glory to God.

Thorns: Still other seed fell among thorns. Some people hear God’s Word and start to grow and bear fruit. But soon they become worried about the problems of daily living. They may think if they only had more money and more “things” they would be happy. These wrong beliefs take up all the person’s time and energy, just like the weeds steal all the nutrients from the good plants. These people do not focus on living for God, so they don’t produce any spiritual fruit. There is nothing wrong with the sower or the seed. The problem is the soil - the person who hears the Word. He must trust God to deliver him from his worries and greed so that he can grow in God’s Word. 

1)            They hear the word, but do nothing with it.

2)            They know the word, but don’t truly accept it.

3)            They teach it, but don’t practice it.

4)            They let themselves get overwhelmed by the worries and problems of life. 

5)            They don’t grow in maturity.

The thorny soil represents those who have a more complete grasp of the cost of discipleship, but who have never rid themselves of the “cares of this world.” Their concerns for money and for pleasure outgrow their seeking first the kingdom of God, and thus their priorities are reversed. It is not that the people represented by this thorny soil do not  understand the costs of discipleship, but that they are not willing to pay the price. It is not lack of knowledge which causes them to err, but lack of commitment, lack of dedication. This type of soil has never been properly cleansed. The weeds of sin was never pulled up by the roots, thus causing them to come back and choke out the word of God.

Good Soil: Still other seed fell on good soil. It produced a crop 100, 60, or 30 times more than what was planted. Isn’t it great to know that some of the seed fell on good soil? This represents the people who heard God’s word and believed it. They put their trust in Jesus. Their hearts received the message of the kingdom, and the seed will take root.

But just like when you plant actual seeds into the ground, the message of the kingdom will grow gradually. We don’t plant a seed and see a plant the next day. True growth takes time. And sometimes when we plant seeds, we see different kinds of things that actually grow. Some trees produce fruit; some plants produce vegetables. Some produce lots of fruit, and some produce little. Even the soil that produces a small crop is “good.”

The same is true in the hearts of believers. There are people who hear the same truth, read the same Bible, grow in the same church, but produce different kinds of fruit. Some are missionaries to other countries. Some are simply sharing God’s love with a friend in need. Everyone’s fruit will look different, but if each person allows God’s truth to grow in their heart, it will be the right kind of fruit. It will be kingdom fruit.

7. How could you listen more faithfully and intently to the voice of God? What will most help you to be responsive to God in your study of the Bible? 

Remember, the fruit of sharing the Gospel doesn’t just happen on its own. It takes a humble heart and meditation on the Word of God to produce a good harvest and to further the Kingdom of God. The way you sow your seed will be different. All of you can tell your own story. Your own testimony. Some of you might be in a position to lead a small group. Some of you could become preachers. Some of you could start a small Bible study where you work. Some of you could go on missions trips. There are so many opportunities to become a sower if you just keep your eyes open. That’s what Jesus wants you to do. 

His purpose was to bring salvation to everyone. If we keep this in mind, we can see that the parable actually has three meanings: 

1)   To show that Christ came to share the Word of God with everyone. We don’t serve a stingy God who picks and chooses who is good enough to hear the word. He graciously sows into everyone who is willing to accept his word. 

2)   To show us how the different soils in our life can encourage us—or stop us from     receiving the Word of God, the “Good News.”

3) To encourage us to share the Word of God with others. And like Jesus, we should spread the Good News with everyone, not just those who are receptive.

8. How can we test the soil of our heart and keep it right?

How can you test the soil of your heart? Jesus gives us the answer: We can look at the “fruit” in our lives. Teachable, faith-filled hearts (like good soil) will produce much spiritual fruit. The spiritual fruit that comes from God’s Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (Galatians 5:22-23), which can be enriched with forgiveness, healing, righteousness, glory, grace, compassion, knowledge and truth. Another fruit is sharing God’s truth with others. So the test for good “heart soil” is checking to see whether there is any of this fruit in your life. If so, you know that God’s word has taken root in your heart. You have believed the truth of Jesus, and your beliefs guide your actions. You have trusted Jesus, so His Spirit lives in you.

It is interesting to note that a plant does not “decide” when to bear fruit. It just happens. In the same way, we can’t “decide” when we’re going to bear spiritual fruit. Fruit comes naturally when we remain connected to the Vine. Jesus said, “I am the Vine. You are the branches. He that abides in Me, and I in him, the same will bring forth much fruit: for you can do nothing without Me.” (John 15:5) We must stay connected to Jesus, because without Him, we cannot bear any fruit!

We aren’t responsible to make the fruit. We are responsible to keep the soil in good condition. Good soil has sunlight, water, and nutrients. How do you think we can “water” and “fertilize” our hearts? Read God’s Word, listen to good teaching, pray, listen to God. (Jesus is the Light!) Good soil is also free of rocks and weeds. How can we keep rocks and weeds out of the soil of our hearts? We don’t plant things in our heart or mind that are against God - bad TV shows, movies, books, video games, etc… just to name a few.

Now, for the “problem soil.” Sadly, there are three kinds of “heart soil” that don’t bear any kind of spiritual fruit. These people don’t share the truth that is deep down in their hearts. Instead of good fruit, their lives are full of worry, fear, greed, and frustration. They think more about themselves than about the Lord. If this sounds like your life, there is only one way to make a change! Jesus says He is the WAY (John 14:6). Confess: Tell the Lord that your heart has not been good soil. Ask Him to plow up the hard places and replace them with a good, soft heart that will be the perfect place for His truth to take root and grow. Listen to God’s promise: I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. - Ezekiel 36:26

9. Can we also see ourselves as the “sower” in this story? 

Yes! We can also see ourselves as the “sower” in this story. As you begin to share the truth of Jesus with others, you will see these four different reactions. Some people will be good soil. They will accept the truth, it will grow deep roots, and they will bear much fruit. But, sadly, others will be like the four problem soils. God wants everyone to follow Him (2 Peter 3:9), but each person has the free choice of whether to accept the truth. Remember that you are not responsible to make the seed grow! (1 Corinthians 12:3) You are just asked to spread the seed (Acts 22:14-15). It’s always right to pray for God to soften the hearts of those you speak to!

Main Point: We want to have a teachable heart where God’s truth can produce good fruit!