Luke 12:19

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} I will say {G2046} to my {G3450} soul {G5590}, Soul {G5590}, thou hast {G2192} much {G4183} goods {G18} laid up {G2749} for {G1519} many {G4183} years {G2094}; take thine ease {G373}, eat {G5315}, drink {G4095}, and be merry {G2165}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then I’ll say to myself, “You’re a lucky man! You have a big supply of goods laid up that will last many years. Start taking it easy! Eat! Drink! Enjoy yourself!”’

Berean Standard Bible

Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

American Standard Version

And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 12:19 captures the rich man's self-congratulatory internal monologue within Jesus' Parable of the Rich Fool, revealing his misguided plans for a future of luxurious ease and self-indulgence. Having amassed an unprecedented harvest, he envisions a life free from toil, dedicated solely to earthly pleasures, utterly devoid of any thought for God, spiritual matters, or the brevity of life, thereby exposing a profound spiritual blindness and a dangerous reliance on temporal security.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of the rich man's internal deliberation, immediately following his decision to tear down his smaller barns and build larger ones to accommodate his overflowing harvest (Luke 12:16-18). The parable itself is prompted by a man's request for Jesus to arbitrate an inheritance dispute (Luke 12:13), which Jesus uses as an opportunity to warn against covetousness, stating that "a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Luke 12:15). Verse 19 encapsulates the rich man's ultimate error: his presumption of a long life and his self-centered, hedonistic plan for his accumulated wealth, setting the stage for God's divine intervention and the parable's stark conclusion in Luke 12:20-21.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient agrarian societies, wealth was primarily measured in land, livestock, and stored produce. Building larger barns was a logical, even commendable, response to a bountiful harvest, signifying prosperity and foresight. However, the cultural expectation, particularly within Jewish tradition, was that such abundance would lead to generosity, tithing, and care for the poor, reflecting a trust in God as the ultimate provider. The rich man's monologue in Luke 12:19, with its focus entirely on self-gratification and long-term personal security, stands in stark contrast to these communal and theological norms. Furthermore, the concept of "soul" (psychē) in the Greco-Roman world, while encompassing life and inner being, was often tied to earthly desires, contrasting with the biblical emphasis on the soul's relationship with God and its eternal destiny.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 12:19 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader chapter. It highlights the **dangers of materialism and covetousness**, illustrating how an excessive focus on earthly possessions can lead to spiritual blindness and self-deception, as seen in the rich man's inability to see beyond his physical comforts. The verse also underscores the theme of **false security versus true security**, showing how reliance on accumulated wealth creates an illusion of control and longevity, directly opposing Jesus' teaching that true life is found in being "rich toward God" (Luke 12:21). Furthermore, it exposes a **hedonistic and self-centered philosophy of life**, where the ultimate goal is personal ease and pleasure, a stark contrast to the call for discipleship, stewardship, and seeking the Kingdom of God first, as emphasized throughout [Luke's Gospel](/luke "The Gospel of Luke"). The man's presumption of "many years" also speaks to the theme of **God's sovereignty over life and death**, a truth often overlooked by those consumed by worldly pursuits, echoing warnings found in passages like [James 4:13-14](/james/4-13-14 "James 4:13-14 - Do Not Boast About Tomorrow").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Soul (Greek, _psychḗ'_):** G5590. From ψύχω (psychō), meaning "to breathe." This word refers to breath, and by implication, the spirit or abstractly, the animal sentient principle. It is distinguished from πνεῦμα (pneuma), which is the rational and immortal soul, and ζωή (zoē), which is mere vitality. In this context, the rich man is addressing his innermost self, his very being, but tragically, he defines his "soul's" well-being solely in terms of physical comfort and material security, completely neglecting its spiritual dimension and eternal destiny.
* **Goods (Greek, _agathós'_):** G18. A primary word meaning "good" in any sense, often used as a noun to denote benefits or things that are good. Here, it refers specifically to the material possessions and produce that the rich man has accumulated. The word itself is neutral, but the rich man's exclusive focus on these "goods" as the source of his future happiness and security, rather than as blessings to be stewarded or shared, reveals his spiritual poverty.
* **Be merry (Greek, _euphraínō'_):** G2165. From εὖ (eu, "well") and φρήν (phrēn, "mind"). It means to put or be in a good frame of mind, to rejoice, to make glad, or to fare well. This word encapsulates the rich man's ultimate goal: a life of unburdened joy and pleasure derived from his material abundance. However, this "merriment" is rooted in self-indulgence and a false sense of security, contrasting sharply with the true joy found in a relationship with God and a life lived for His purposes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will say to my soul, Soul,"**: This opening phrase immediately establishes the internal, self-focused nature of the rich man's deliberation. He is not consulting God, his family, or his community, but rather engaging in a monologue with his own inner being. The repetition of "Soul" emphasizes the direct address to his very essence, highlighting his profound self-absorption and the tragic irony that he speaks to his soul about its physical comfort, not its spiritual state.
* **"thou hast much goods laid up for many years;"**: This clause reveals the rich man's perceived security and his presumptuous outlook on life. His "much goods" (G18, _agathós_) are "laid up" (G2749, _keîmai_), suggesting a sense of permanence and an abundance that will last "for many years" (G4183, _polýs_; G2094, _étos_). This statement underscores his complete reliance on material wealth for future stability and his dangerous assumption of longevity, ignoring the fragility and uncertainty of human life.
* **"take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry."**: This concluding phrase articulates the rich man's ultimate goal: a life of hedonistic indulgence. "Take thine ease" (G373, _anapaúō_) implies rest and freedom from labor. The triad "eat, drink, and be merry" (G5315, _phágō_; G4095, _pínō_; G2165, _euphraínō_) is a common expression of worldly pleasure and self-gratification, found in various ancient texts. In this context, it signifies a life devoted entirely to physical comfort and sensual enjoyment, devoid of any higher purpose or spiritual consideration.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 12:19 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Internal Monologue**, as the rich man speaks directly to his "soul." This technique offers a window into his self-centered mindset, revealing his priorities and assumptions without external commentary, making his spiritual blindness all the more stark. There is also profound **Irony** at play: the man believes he is securing his future, yet his very words seal his fate as a "fool" in God's eyes, as revealed in the subsequent verse. His plans for "many years" are immediately contradicted by the divine decree of his imminent death. Furthermore, the "much goods laid up" function as **Symbolism** for false security and misplaced trust. What he perceives as his greatest asset and source of joy becomes, in the divine perspective, the very thing that blinds him to true life and eternal realities.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 12:19 serves as a stark warning against the pervasive dangers of materialism and self-sufficiency, revealing how an exclusive focus on earthly accumulation can lead to spiritual bankruptcy. The rich man's internal monologue epitomizes a life lived without reference to God, where personal comfort and temporal security become the ultimate idols. This passage challenges believers to critically examine their own priorities, reminding them that true riches are not found in what one possesses, but in one's relationship with God and a life lived in accordance with His will. It underscores the biblical truth that life's brevity and God's sovereignty over it demand an eternal perspective, where stewardship and generosity outweigh selfish hoarding.

* [Psalm 49:6-7](/psalms/49-6-7 "Psalm 49:6-7 - Trust in Riches is Futile")
* [Proverbs 27:1](/proverbs/27-1 "Proverbs 27:1 - Do Not Boast About Tomorrow")
* [1 Timothy 6:17-19](/1_timothy/6-17-19 "1 Timothy 6:17-19 - The Rich are to be Generous")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 12:19 prompts profound self-reflection on our own aspirations and where we place our ultimate trust. The rich man's error was not in having wealth, but in making his wealth his god and his future. He lived as if life were endless and entirely within his control, failing to acknowledge God's sovereignty or the needs of others. This verse challenges us to consider what we are truly "laying up" for ourselves. Are our plans for the future centered on accumulating earthly comforts and security, or are they oriented towards eternal values and being "rich toward God" (Luke 12:21)? It calls us to cultivate a heart of generosity, to recognize that all we have is a gift from God, and to live with an awareness of life's brevity, ensuring that our priorities align with God's kingdom rather than our own fleeting desires.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "goods" do I tend to rely on for my security and happiness, rather than God?**
* **In what ways do I presume upon tomorrow, making plans without acknowledging God's sovereignty over my life?**
* **How does my daily life reflect a pursuit of "ease, eating, drinking, and merriment" versus seeking first God's kingdom?**
* **Am I actively cultivating generosity and investing in eternal values, or am I primarily focused on personal accumulation?**

### FAQ

**Is it wrong to save money or plan for the future?**

Answer: Luke 12:19 and the Parable of the Rich Fool do not condemn saving money or planning for the future in themselves. Prudence and foresight are often commendable (e.g., [Proverbs 6:6-8](/proverbs/6-6-8 "Proverbs 6:6-8 - The Ant's Diligence")). The rich man's error was his *attitude* and *ultimate reliance*. He planned solely for himself, with no thought for God or others, and presumed an indefinite future, making his accumulated wealth his sole source of security and purpose. The sin was not the abundance, but the covetousness and self-centeredness that led to spiritual blindness and a failure to be "rich toward God" ([Luke 12:21](/luke/12-21 "Luke 12:21 - Being Rich Toward God")).

**What does it mean to "say to my soul" in this context?**

Answer: When the rich man says, "And I will say to my soul, Soul," he is engaging in an internal monologue, speaking to his innermost self, his very being or psyche (Greek: _psychē_). This highlights his profound self-absorption. He is not consulting God, his family, or his community, but rather affirming his own perceived security and future plans to himself. Tragically, he addresses his soul only in terms of its physical comfort and material security, completely neglecting its spiritual needs and eternal destiny, revealing a deep spiritual disconnect.

**What is the main lesson Jesus wants to teach through this verse and parable?**

Answer: The primary lesson Jesus conveys through Luke 12:19 and the entire Parable of the Rich Fool is a powerful warning against covetousness and the folly of placing one's ultimate security and identity in material possessions rather than in God. Jesus emphasizes that "a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" ([Luke 12:15](/luke/12-15 "Luke 12:15 - Life Not Consisting in Possessions")). The rich man's self-centered plans, his presumption of a long life, and his hedonistic pursuit of ease lead to his ultimate demise and condemnation as a "fool" by God. The parable calls for an eternal perspective, faithful stewardship, and a life lived with generosity and a focus on being "rich toward God" ([Luke 12:21](/luke/12-21 "Luke 12:21 - Being Rich Toward God")), rather than hoarding earthly treasures.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 12:19, with its depiction of the rich fool's self-centered pursuit of earthly security and pleasure, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' radical redefinition of true wealth and life. The rich man sought security in "much goods laid up for many years," a stark contrast to Christ, who, though rich, "became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty and Our Riches")). Jesus himself embodies the ultimate "treasure in heaven" ([Matthew 6:20](/matthew/6-20 "Matthew 6:20 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")), inviting His followers to find their rest not in accumulated possessions, but in Him, for He offers true rest for the soul ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Labor")). While the fool planned for "many years" of ease, Christ's life and death established an eternal kingdom, offering not temporary merriment but everlasting joy and true life to those who trust in Him ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")). The parable's warning against spiritual blindness is overcome in Christ, who is the light of the world, revealing the path to true riches—a relationship with God—and calling us to live with an eternal perspective, investing in His kingdom rather than fleeting earthly pursuits ([Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 27:1

¶ Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

James 4:13

Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:

James 4:15

For that ye [ought] to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

1 Corinthians 15:32

If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

Matthew 6:19

¶ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Matthew 6:21

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Isaiah 5:11

Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, [that] they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, [till] wine inflame them!