Dr. King on the Parable of the Rich Fool

On 27 th August, 1967 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave a summon in Chicago that
interpreted the Parable of the Rich Fool as presented in Luke 12: 16-21. In the summon, Dr. King
explained why God called the rich man in the Parable a fool. He gives three reasons why God
was right to call the rich man a fool.
Three Reasons Why God Called The Rich Man a Fool
First, the man was called a fool because he prioritized material things over eternal matters
(King). In his life he showed more concern for his wealth instead of eternal matters such as his
relationship with God, family, and other people within the society who may have needed him.
Dr. King explains that the man was a fool because he failed to have clear demarcation
between material things that made his existence possible and the eternal things that really matter.
According to Dr. King, the rich fool is represented in modern times by people who spend so
much of their time and energy pursuing wealth that they forget to show love, affection, and
attention to their spouses and children (King). He is also represented by people who have access
to excellent books, works of philosophy and poetry, and music but neither read the books nor
listen to the music.
A recent experience that Dr. King used to explain the foolishness of the rich man was the
example of a man who was called after his wife had an automobile accident. Instead of enquiring
about the condition of the wife, he enquired about the condition of his Cadillac (King). Dr. King

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considers the man to be a fool because he made the Cadillac to be more important than a human
being.
The second reason for God calling the rich man a fool, according to Dr. King, is that he
failed to realize that he depended on others (King). He did not appreciate that there were many
people who contributed to his prosperity. The man was, therefore, a fool because he thought he
could create wealth and build barns all by himself.
Dr. King provides three examples that show how interdependent humans are and why it
is foolish not to appreciate the efforts of other people. First, he gives the example of daily
routine. From the time one wakes up to the time they go to sleep, they use countless products,
such as soap, towel, and sponge that have been made by other people, often from foreign
countries.
The other example he gave was that of the singer Marian Anderson. He praises the singer
because she appreciated the efforts of her mother in making her career successful (King). By
appreciating her mother’s efforts in making her successful, Marian Anderson showed that she
understood that even though she was talented and worked hard, it still took the efforts of other
people for her to achieve success.
The last example Dr. King gives is that of perception of whites in the US that only they
have made the country prosperous. Dr. King argues that they should appreciate the efforts of
African Americans who provided free labor that made America rich (King). Since African
Americans were not paid any wages, they have not shared in the prosperity that they created. Dr.
King contends that America too qualifies to be called a fool because of the nation’s inability to
appreciate everyone who has helped it to grow rich.

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The third reason Dr. King gives as why God called the rich man a fool is because he
failed to appreciate his dependence on God. The man did not just fail to appreciate the role other
people had played in making him successful, he also failed to appreciate the role of God in his
success. He did not bother to give thanks to God for making him prosperous.
Dr. King believes that the rich fool is represented in modern days by people who claim
that there is no God or who have developed such a great love for material things such as
expensive cars and money that they have forgotten everything about God. By not appreciating
the role that God plays in their lives, these people, like the rich fool, can be considered fools.
How The Three Failings Relate to Situations in Current World
The current world contains many examples and situations that are related to the three
failings of the rich man that Dr. King highlighted in his sermon. Regarding the first failing –
failure to put eternal matters first – many parts of the world are witnessing increasing cases of
family break ups, loneliness, and depression. Most of these problems are a result of people
focusing more on material things and forgetting spiritual or eternal matters, such as building
relationships with other people, helping those who may need their help, and spending time with
their family members.
The second failing – failure to realize his dependence on others – is exemplified by
today’s condition of labor. In many parts of the world, workers endure long working hours,
difficult work conditions, and low pay. The wealth they create ends up in the hands of a few
people who do not appreciate the efforts of the workers who actually create their wealth.
As for the last failing – failure to appreciate his dependence on God – surveys continue to
show declining faith in God and religious activities such as church attendance and prayers. This
decline shows that people are increasingly relegating God either to secondary status in their lives

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or writing him off completely as non-existent. This reduced importance of God can be seen in
the way countries treat religious practices such as prayer. Many countries such as the USA and
Canada have banned prayers in public institutions, such as schools.

Works Cited

King, Martin Luther, Jr. “Why Jesus Called a Man a Fool,” Sermon Delivered at Mount Pisgah
Missionary Baptist Church. Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute.
Stanford University, 27 August 1967. Web. https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-
papers/documents/why-jesus-called-man-fool-sermon-delivered-mount-pisgah-missionary-baptist