The answer is: Rich fool

Luke 12:13-21

In the Gospel of Luke, the phrase "Eat, drink, and be merry" actually resonates from the well-known Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21). In this story, a wealthy farmer accumulates great crops and decides to hoard his abundance, ignoring the needs of others. He naively believes that his easy lifestyle will last forever. Yet, things take an unexpected turn when he learns that his life will soon end. It's a sharp reminder that earthly possessions can provide temporary satisfaction, but they store no lasting value.

The phrase itself echoes a verse from Ecclesiastes, which speaks to the fleeting nature of life and the pursuit of enjoyment. While humans tend to think they're in control, this parable nudges us to consider a bigger picture—who are we really living for? This man’s focus on material wealth blinds him to the spiritual wealth available through generosity and communal living.

Interestingly, during Jesus' time, wealth was often equated with divine favor. The cultural backdrop made this parable particularly shocking, as the expectation of rich individuals was to use their resources to bless others, not to build ever-higher silos. Similarly, the idea of stewardship lives on—how are we using what we've been given? By recognizing that our lives don't merely belong to ourselves, we cultivate a richer legacy rooted in community, kindness, and sharing rather than solitary indulgence. It’s worth pondering: what truly defines a "foolish" life?