Between wealth and death. A canonical and apocryphal Parable of the Rich Fool (Lk 12,16-21; EvThom 63)

Joanna Jaromin

Opole

Abstract

The aim of this study is to present the dependence between wealth and death in the canonical and apocryphal Parable of the Rich Fool (Lk 12,16-21; EvThom 63). Both versions of the parable differ in some significant details. However, it can be assumed that the basic idea remains the same: putting too much trust in tangible goods, the temptation to recognize self-sufficiency and not reckoning with God in this life is foolishness (also in terms of the Old Testament) and condemns a man to a spiritual death. A man absorbed in all what is temporal does not also allow any thoughts about death to himself. Death, which will surprise him, will shut him the way to correct his life, to do at least one smallest good deed. Both discussed texts also underlines the instability of worldly goods and durability of spiritual goods. A warning may be read out of them to reckon with God’s will in our worldly plans as it is the base of life.

Keywords:

a canonical Parable of the Rich Fool, an apocryphal Parable of the Rich Fool, wealth, death, durability of spiritual goods, instability of worldly goods