Luke 12:19

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.

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}.

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!”’

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!”’

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

Luke 12:19 is a pivotal verse within Jesus' Parable of the Rich Fool, illustrating the misguided priorities of a man who lives solely for himself and his material possessions. The verse captures the rich man's internal monologue, revealing his plans for a future of ease and self-indulgence, completely detached from any consideration of God or eternity.

Context of the Parable

This verse follows Jesus' warning against covetousness after a man asked Him to arbitrate an inheritance dispute (Luke 12:13-14). Jesus uses the parable to teach that "a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Luke 12:15). The rich man has experienced an abundant harvest, prompting him to tear down his old barns and build larger ones to store his "much goods." His subsequent declaration in verse 19 reveals his ultimate plan for this accumulated wealth.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Materialism and Self-Sufficiency: The rich man's speech is entirely self-focused. He speaks to his "soul" about earthly comforts, not about spiritual well-being or gratitude to God. His entire identity and future security are wrapped up in his accumulated wealth.
  • False Security and Presumption: He presumes a long life ("many years") and an unending period of "ease." This highlights a dangerous human tendency to rely on temporal wealth and personal plans rather than acknowledging God's sovereignty over life and death (James 4:13-14).
  • Hedonistic Philosophy: The phrase "take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry" reflects a philosophy of life centered on immediate gratification and pleasure. This contrasts sharply with the biblical call to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33) and to do all to the glory of God.
  • Spiritual Blindness: The man's focus is entirely on earthly accumulation, leading to spiritual blindness regarding his true need and the brevity of life. He makes no plans for eternity, which is the ultimate "foolishness" highlighted in the parable's conclusion (Luke 12:20-21).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "soul" here is psychē (ψυχή), which can refer to one's life, inner self, or being. The rich man is addressing his innermost self, but tragically, only in terms of physical comfort and material security, not in relation to his spiritual state or destiny. The phrase "eat, drink, and be merry" (Greek: phage, pie, euphrainou) is a common expression of worldly indulgence, found in various ancient texts, including some Old Testament passages (e.g., Isaiah 22:13), but here it embodies the man's self-serving and ultimately fatal worldview.

Practical Application

Luke 12:19 serves as a powerful warning against the dangers of materialism and self-centered living. It challenges us to examine our own priorities: Are we storing up treasures for ourselves on earth, or are we investing in eternal values and seeking to be "rich toward God" (Luke 12:21)? The verse reminds us that life is uncertain, and true security is found not in accumulated wealth but in a right relationship with God, living with an eternal perspective and a heart of generosity (Matthew 6:19-21).

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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!

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