So I'm taking a look at Luke 12:13-21 for my sermon this coming Sunday and the basic point of the passage seems to be pretty clear; Be rich toward God rather than yourself.  However, how we are supposed to understand this wealthy land owner seems less clear.  This comes as a surprise to me because I've always just seen this character as being greedy.  After all, the parable follows Jesus' warning to be on guard against every form of greed.  This doesn't seem to quite fit though because once the man has extra wealth he doesn't use it to gain more wealth like a greedy person would.  Instead, he relaxes.  So maybe he is not greedy but actually lazy?  Also should we consider the tearing down of his barns to build bigger ones a wise business practice?  Is this just the logical business move to make which Jesus then uses as an example to demonstrate that the kingdom does not operate by logical business moves?  Or, as one commentator points out, is the land owner's action foolish since he is not doing the work to continue to keep his barns full?  He has built bigger barns but by relaxing he has guaranteed that they will be even more empty.  Luke leaves out so many important details.  So what do you think?  How do you understand the rich man?  Also, how exactly is this story connected with the situation that prompted it (a man asking Jesus to arbitrate an inheritance dispute)?  Should we assume that it is greed that prompts the brother to pursue his inheritance?   Although the basic point of the passage is the same either way, I think it is worthy discussing because it determines how people see themselves in the story.  Perhaps the greedy, lazy, ignorant, and business minded alike all have something to learn from this man.  Any thoughts?

Thanks for the insight.  I have definitely not grown up in a farming community and now that I live in a little town surrounded by farms people often remind me that I am a city boy  One commentator that I read reasoned that the man might have torn down the old barns so that he could build the new barns in the same space and not take up more of his land, thereby still growing as much as possible on his land while also having bigger barns.  Is that a realistic explanation?  I have no idea.  Since the story itself doesn't clearly characterize this man in one direction or another (at least in my opinion) I am going to have my sermon do the same.  I am going to paint him as greedy and then as lazy and then as foolish and then finally as just a typical guy whose worked hard all of his life and it has finally paid off.  His 401k has finally paid out and now he is just enjoying what he thinks he has earned.  The problem is, of course, that he has failed to recognize that it is all a gift from God.  I think this plays within the parameters of the story and will be a character many more people can see themselves in.  The rest of the sermon will focus on security and how we attempt to find security in everything other than God.  Thanks again for the comments.

The Present
It was the old lady's birthday.
She got up early to be ready for the post. wow power leveling,From the second floor flat she could see the postman when he came down the street, and the little boy from the ground floor brought up her letters on the rare occasions when anything came.
Today she was sure the would be something. Myra wouldn't forget her mother's birthday, even if she seldom wrote at other times. Of course Myra was busy. Her husband had been made Mayor, and Myra herself had got a medal for her work the aged.
The old lady was proud of Myra,wow power leveling, but Enid was the daughter she loved. Enid had never married, but had seemed content to live with her mother, and teach in a primary school round the corner.
One evening, however, Enid said, "I've arranged for Mrs. Morrison to look after you for a few days, Mother. Tomorrow I have to go into hospital--just a minor operation, I'll soon be home."
In the morning she went,WoW Gold, but never came back--she died on the operating table. Myra came to the funeral, and in her efficient way arranged for Mrs. Morrison to come in and light the fire and give the old lady her breakfast.
Two years ago that was, and since then Myra had been to see her mother three times, but her husband never.
The old lady was eight today.WoW Gold, She had put on her best dress. Perhaps--perhaps Myra might come. After all, eighty was a special birthday, another decade lined or endured just as you chose to look at it.
Even if Myra did not come, she would send a present. The old lady was sure of that. Two spots of colour brightened her cheeks. She was excited--like a child.WoW Gold, She would enjoy her day.
Yesterday Mrs. Morrison had given the flat an extra clean, and today she had brought a card and a bunch of marigolds when she came to do the breakfast. Mrs. Grant downstairs had made a cake, and in the afternoon she was going down there to tea.World of warcraft Power Leveling, The little boy, Johnnie, had been up with a packet of mints, and said he wouldn't go out to play until the post had come.
"I guess you'll get lots and lots of presents,"wow gold, he said, "I did last were when I was six."
What would she like? A pair of slippers perhaps. Or a new cardigan. A cardigan would be lovely. Blue's such a pretty colour. Jim had always liked her in blue. Or a table lamp. Or a book, a travel book, with pictures, or a little clock, with clear black numbers. So many lovely things.
She stood by the window, watching.World of warcraft Power Leveling, The postman turned round the corner on his bicycle. Her heart beat fast. Johnnie had seen him too and ran to the gate.
Then clatter, clatter up the stairs. Johnnie knocked at her door.