THE SABBATH SCHOOL

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 22, 1902

THE SABBATH SCHOOL

INTERNATIONAL SERIES

LESSON 5.—FEBRUARY 1.—THE PARABLE OF THE FOOLISH RICH MAN.

Aid.—“Christ’s Object Lessons,” p. 252.

Lesson Scripture, Luke 12:13-36.

13 “And one out of the multitude said unto Him, Master, bid 14 my brother divide the inheritance with me. But He said unto 15 him, Man, who made Me a judge or a divider over you? And He said unto them, Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetousness; for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance 16 of the things which he possesseth. And He spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought 17 forth plentifully; and he reasoned within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have not where to bestow my 18 fruits? And he said, This will I do; I will pull down my barns, and build greater, and there will I bestow all my corn 19 and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, 20 drink, be merry. But God said unto him, Thou foolish one, this night is thy soul required of thee; and the things which 21 thou hast prepared, whose shall they be? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

22 “And He said unto His disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat; nor yet for 23 your body, what ye shall put on. For the life is more than 24 the food, and the body than the raiment. Consider the ravens, that they sow not, neither reap; which have no store-chamber nor barn; and God feedeth them: of how much more 25 value are ye than the birds! And which of you by being 26 anxious can add a cubit unto his stature? If then ye are not able to do even that which is least, why are ye anxious concern- 27 ing the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin; yet I say unto you, Even Solomon in all 28 his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God doth so clothe the grass in the field, which to-day is, and to-mor- row is cast into the oven, how much more shall He clothe you, 29 O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, and what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after; but your 30 Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. Howbeit seek ye His kingdom, and these things shall be added unto 31 you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleas- ure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; make for yourselves purses which wax not old, a treas- ure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief draweth 32 near, neither moth destroyeth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

35 “Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning; 36 and be ye yourselves like unto men looking for their lord, when he shall return from the marriage feast; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may straightway open unto him.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

1. What dispute was Christ once asked to arbitrate? What evil principle did He see at the root of the dispute? What warning did He give?

2. By what illustration did Jesus show the folly of living for the things of this life only? What problem perplexed the rich man in the parable?

3. From whom came the fruits of his grounds? Ps. 65:9, 10. Where might he have stored the surplus? Luke 12:33.

4. To what decision did he come? What truth had he forgotten? James 4:14, 15.

5. How was his ambitious plan cut short? What question did the Lord suggest concerning the disposition of the man’s wealth? See also Ps. 39:6; Matt. 16:26.

6. What class may take warning from the rich man’s fate? Toward whom should men be rich?

7. What lessons of trust would the Lord have us learn from the ravens? from the lilies? What is the important thing to seek for? Where will be the treasure of those who seek first God’s kingdom?

8. Quote some scriptures showing that this warning against covetousness is especially timely in the last days. What is to be the attitude of believers in this time? Luke 12:35, 36.