I.   We often call Jesus Christ the "Master Teacher" and rightly so.
II.  He used many different tools in his teaching.
     A.   Illustrations.
     B.   Visual Aids.
     C.   Personal Conversations.
     D.   Questions and Answers.
III. Probably the most effective tool was the parable.
     A.   Definition.
          1.   "Para"-->beside, or alongside.
          2.   "Ballain"-->to throw or cast.
          3.   So definition is to throw alongside.
          4.   Inspired definition in Mark 4:30.
     B.   Purpose.
          1.   To teach the truth.
          2.   To make the truth easy to understand.
          3.   To make the truth easy to remember.
          4.   To cause one to admit to the truth without realizing that it
               applies to him.
IV.  We must make sure that we interpret parables correctly.
     A.   We must look at the context in which it is being delivered.
     B.   We must remember that a parable was designed to deliver one main 
                    lesson.
     C.   The parable may deliver numerous incidental lessons but we should not
          try to make every little fact mean something.
V.   Today we are going to look at the parable of the rich fool.
     A.   Read parable.
     B.   I thought that, in studying this parable this morning, we would look
          at some of the reasons that God called this man a fool.
     C.   He was a fool because:
          1.   He was a materialist.
          2.   He ignored his responsibility to God.
          3.   He ignored his responsibility to fellow man.
          4.   He did not include God in his plans.

     A.   It is not a sin to be rich.
          1.   Abraham was rich (Gen. 13:2).
          2.   David was rich, Solomon was rich.
     B.   Being rich becomes a sin when we put wealth before God.
          1.   We have to be willing to leave all of our material goods if it
               were ever necessary.
          2.   We see this concept illustrated in Mark 10:17-22.
               a.   The rich young ruler was not willing to give up his wealth
                    for Christ.
               b.   This does not mean that we must give up all of our wealth
                    to follow Christ.
               c.   Jesus knew this man's heart and was testing him.
          3.   Mt. 6:21-->where your treasure is there your heart is.
     C.   Prosperity is often a test.
          1.   Prov. 3:8-9.
          2.   1 Tim. 6:7-10.
               a.   We should be content.
               b.   We will take nothing out of the world when we leave.
               c.   Being rich often brings on temptations.
          3.   Poverty can be a test also.

     A.   Read "I's" and "my's".
     B.   He forgot that everything belongs to God (Psa. 50:10-14).
     C.   Nebuchadnezzar.
          1.   Dan. 4:30-34.
          2.   Nebuchadnezzar was too proud.
          3.   He did not give God the credit.

     A.   When we are blessed, we are expected to help those who are less
          fortunate.
          1.   Gal. 6:10.
          2.   Jas. 1:27.
          3.   Mt. 22:37-39.
          4.   Prov. 11:24-25.
     B.   Christ went around doing good.
          1.   Ac. 10:38.
          2.   1 Pet. 2:21-->he is our example.

     A.   He did not realize that riches will not last forever if your heart is
          not right with God.
          1.   1 Pet. 1:24.
          2.   1 Tim. 6:7.
     B.   He forgot that he could die at any moment (Heb. 9:27).
          1.   He was not rich toward God (Lk. 12:21).
          2.   He had allowed the cares of the world to overcome his duty to
               God (Lk. 12:31).
          3.   He trusted in riches and not God (Mk. 10:24-25).

I.   We need to make sure that we do not make the same mistakes as the rich fool.

II.  He was a fool because he was a materialist, he ignored his responsibility to
     God and fellow man, and he forgot that he could die at any moment.

III. We need to make sure that we do not allow the love of material things come in
     the way of our relationship to God.

IV.  Mt. 6:33-->Seek ye first the kingdom of God.