A Wise Fool by G. W. White

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Apr 9, 1912

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 39, No. 15.

A Wise Fool

By G. W. White

And He spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: and he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 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. 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. 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? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

HERE is splendid material for a most interesting study of human character. The central figure is the type of by far the larger part of humanity. Let us take a good look at this man. In order to understand him thoroly, it will be necessary to view him in different lights and from different points of observation. First, look at him in the light of this world, and estimate his character as we usually gage the wisdom or folly of men. Let us apply to him the same rules and measure him by the same standard that the world uses in measuring men. In doing this, I am sure we shall find much that is commendable.

Was an Industrious Man

That he was an industrious man is obvious from the fact that his ground "brought forth plentifully." As the result of careful cultivation and honest toil, he had got and kept his farm in first-class condition.

Not only this, but he plowed the ground in season, and planted at the right time, so as to insure good crops. All this is very commendable; for industry is a virtue, and idleness is a sin.

He Must Have Been a Careful Man

He was rich. This fact alone would generally mark him as a careful man. No amount of industry, no degree of success in getting money, will make one rich, unless he learns the lesson of carefulness. All about his farm were evidences of this virtue. There was a place for everything, and everything was in its place. His implements were well housed, his stock well sheltered, and everywhere things seemed to wear an air of carefulness. This is all commendable.

He Was Also a Thoughtful Man

I have heard people say, "I spoke before I thought," or "I acted before I thought." It was not so with this rich man. He thought before he acted. He considered a move well, he thought of it in all its phases, before he made it. That question, "What shall I do?" is very significant, and is the key to an important part of his character. It reveals system. This, too, is very commendable in him; for a haphazard mode of action makes chaos of many lives that otherwise would be orderly and beautiful.

He Was a Rich Man

Then, too, we must note the fact that he was a rich man. While this in itself is not a virtue, this man who, as a result of his industry, frugality, and intelligent use of his powers, had become rich honestly, is to be admired.

He Was a Highly Respected Man

His success in life would secure that. He had other things than his wealth to commend him to his fellow men. He was doubtless old; yet, as a result of good habits, he was hale and hearty. He had no use for intoxicating liquors, no profanity escaped his lips, and he was careful about his diet. This is all to be admired in any man.

He Was an Influential Man

His wealth would secure this also. He was an authority on all subjects pertaining to successful farming. If his fellow farmers were in doubt about a question of successful farming, his advice was eagerly sought and followed. He was probably a politician — perhaps a member of the council. If you were to call on him, he would doubtless take you in his carriage and show you his farms, tell you how he intended to improve this one, and how he expected soon to tear down that house and erect a new and modern one in its place. He would tell you how, when a boy, he came to the neighborhood without money, how he worked and saved, and little by little gathered together, until now he possesses all this, is a member of the council, and has the confidence and respect of all who know him. Yes, he was a respected and influential man.

Now, Look at Him All Around

Viewed as the world views men, measured as the world measures men, what is your opinion of him? You say, He is a most remarkably wise man. But God calls him a fool. How can this be? How can a man be a wise man and at the same time a fool? — Just this way: There are two ways of measuring a man — two methods of computing his wisdom or folly. There is man's way and there is God's way. It all depends on which method, which standard, you have used. Now let us shift our point of observation.

In the Light of Eternity

Hitherto we have looked at him merely as a citizen of this world, whose highest ideal of life was to prosper in this world's goods and enjoy himself; but let us look at him in the light of eternity. Now, if the grave ends all, if this life is all there is to it, then we are right in our estimate of him. "If the dead rise not, let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die." 1 Cor. 15:32. But as death does not end all, as "there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust," we are wrong in our estimate. Let us now view him from God's point of vision, for this must be the final view-point of us all.

Misconception of True End of Life

So viewed, his folly is seen, first, in his total misconception of the true end of life. His whole ambition was to get all he could, and keep all he could, and to have the good will and respect of his fellow men. Alas that so many have this same beggarly conception of life! The old catechism which you perhaps used to study had it right when it said the true end of life is to know God and enjoy Him forever. Jesus said, "This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom

Thou hast sent." John 17:3. But this man was content to know and enjoy only the things that are seen, temporal, and perishing. Truly this is folly.

Misconception of Nature and Needs of the Soul

Again, his folly is seen in his misconception of the nature and needs of the soul. He speaks to his soul as if it were a separate and conscious entity. And nothing is more pathetic than the way he deals or proposes to deal with his soul. He can do nothing toward arranging for spiritual interests now. He may sometime, but not now. O, how many in the world he represents? Perhaps he represents the reader. You can not attend to the matter of your salvation now. O, yes, you expect to do so sometime — after you have purchased more land, after your bank account has grown to such and such proportions, after you have thoroly settled in life, then you will attend to it.

So this man said, After I have pulled down those barns and built greater ones, etc., then I will attend to eternal things. And what will he do then? — "I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods," etc. O, what good is there for a soul in well-filled barns and numerous herds and waving fields without the blessing and approval and promises of God! These things can not give peace and rest of soul, and they can not give protection in the great day of God's wrath which is so near.

Folly of His Plans Respecting Time

Again, his folly is seen in the proposals he makes to himself in respect to time. He can do nothing for his soul just now. Those old barns must be torn down and new ones built. Those crops must be harvested, etc. To-morrow he will do something.

Alas that men will act so wildly! To thousands, to you, dear reader, to-morrow may never come; yet upon this flimsy, shadowy thing you risk the eternal welfare of your soul. The devil says, To-morrow; God says, To-day.

To get a complete view of this man's folly, we must look at the final scene. It is evening time, and he is resting, but his mind is filled with the unsolved problem of the day — "What shall I do" about those barns, about those crops that are ready to garner? Shall I sell the oats and the wheat direct from the thrashing-floor, or build greater barns, and store and hold it for higher prices? What shall I do? I must settle that question before I sleep. He summons the broker, and consults him regarding the probability of a rise in prices. He calls the master mechanic, and asks him about the probable cost of the proposed improvements. What shall I do? At last the thing takes definite shape in his mind — he reaches a conclusion. This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater ones, and hold for the higher market. And he retires to sleep, and to await the coming of the morning, when he will execute his plans.

The Morning Never Comes

Alas that that morning should never come! for as he lies there, a strange feeling possesses him. What mean those strange sensations — this laboring of the heart — this difficulty of breathing — this aching of the muscles — this cold, clammy perspiration upon his brow? He asks: Am I ill? No; I must not be; I am too busy to be ill. Am I dying? No, no; I can not, I must not die. Those barns must be built, those crops must be gathered and judiciously sold. My business never needed me as it does now. No, I will not die.

But the God of heaven, in whose hand his breath is, says, "Thou fool!" and the next moment there is a lifeless body. A soul created to bear the image of God — to know God and Jesus Christ, and to enjoy eternity with Them and the redeemed — is famished and bankrupt. He lived without Christ and without God, and he died without Them, and consequently without hope. Now, listen, and let these words "sink down deep in your heart:" "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

Your riches may consist of much silver and gold and broad acres of land; but if you are not rich toward God — rich in faith, rich in hope and love and peace, rich in the precious promises for a future home in the kingdom which the Saviour is soon, very soon, coming to set up — you are as bankrupt and hopeless and as surely lost as the soul of whom we have studied.

May God help you to make your peace with Him now, that when Jesus comes in the clouds of heaven, you will not be ashamed at His appearing.