“Then he (the rich man) said, ‘. . . I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and goods.’ And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink, and be merry.’” (Luke 12:18-19)

It was the kind of plan any financial planner would applaud. Save. Put resources away. A foolproof approach to retirement.

And so the rich man expanded his portfolio. He set about the business of accumulating. He began to execute his foolproof plan. He was prepared.

But you know what happened?  

God called the rich man, “Fool.”

Within the economy of the world, the man’s plan was foolproof. Within the economy of God, the man was a fool.

We have a tendency to rely on what we can measure. If the bank account is growing, we feel good. If it’s shrinking, we become anxious. If there is money left at the end of the month, we breathe easier. If there is month left at the end of the money, we hyperventilate.

For us, it’s about what we can see, and count, and compute, and quantify.

Therefore the church, like any “business,” wants to exercise wise financial management and plan for the future.  To that end you are in the midst of a capital campaign to secure the necessary capital before expanding ministry. And while that approach may make good financial sense, don’t lose sight on what this is ultimately about – things that are eternal. That’s exactly what the rich man forgot about.  

The rich man’s plan called for saving a measurable amount for himself.  

God’s plan is offering more than we can measure . . . immeasurably more.  

Any question which plan is more brilliant?

As you proceed with your capital campaign efforts, don’t lose the perceptive of being “rich toward God” which is what ministry is all about.