The answer is: Rich fool

Luke 12:13-21

Ah, the "Rich Fool" parable is indeed a treasure trove of lessons dressed in an engaging story! Found in Luke 12:13-21, this story revolves around a man whose abundant harvest leads him to say, “Eat, drink, and be merry!” But hold on—it’s not all a festive cheer. Jesus uses this illustration to deliver a poignant warning about materialism and the fleeting nature of wealth.

This parable echoes through various cultures and scriptures as a proverbial reminder of life’s impermanence. In fact, you can find similar sentiments in the writings of Stoic philosophers, who often emphasized this concept of earthly possessions being transient. An amusing twist when studying this parable might lead you to an interesting tidbit: “Eat, drink, and be merry” has become almost a cliché in modern language, often detached from its serious origin!

The rich fool’s downfall stems from believing he could guarantee his future based solely on material wealth. Right after his gleaning, he’s called a fool for hoarding treasure that only served him in this life—not, as he assumed, beyond it. This calls into question the values we place on wealth, and aligns beautifully with timeless wisdom found throughout sacred texts, prompting introspection on what truly matters most.

So, while “eating, drinking, and being merry” sounds tempting, it’s the spirit of sharing, generosity, and mindfulness of life's brevity that challenges us to dig deeper.