This parable is often referred to as the parable of the rich fool and has been used to make any number of homiletical points. Some of them have even been relevant to the story! I have heard many a sermon preached on the “eat, drink, and make merry” portion of the scripture. We were warned about the dangers of having a good time. This was taken as a warning against what used to be called a “libertine lifestyle.” But Jesus liked to party and have a good banquet. He made wine for the wedding feast and by his own admission was called a glutton and a drunkard because he enjoyed a good meal and wine. So let’s stay away from this kind of interpretation of Jesus’ parable.

Other times I have heard sermons which were based on those “who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God”…