The text before us is full of eternal life’s exhortations, warnings and instructions from the word of God through the encounter of our Lord with the young man who has invited Jesus into his family to help divide the inheritance with his brethren: that by so doing, they shall be equally satisfied, gratified and fulfilled from what is left behind in the will of their deceased father which is practically impossible.
                                 
And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? Luke 12:13-14.
We shall do well to see and learn from the reaction, response and refusal of Jesus to the invitation to serve as a judge to intervene in this family’s business that it was a plain spoken response  ‘no’ as an answer. (1) Our Lord’s mission was to save the lost and not to be the judge over the division and distribution of material inheritance that has nothing to do with the kingdom of God and heaven: hence the invitation was seen by him as human or demonic distraction away from his primary assignment in contrast to the life giving commandment to study to be quiet and mind own business.1 Thessalonians 4:11a. (2) As children of God, no peace-maker should be found as a busy-body in other’s bossiness. Yes, the young man desired the Lord’s intervention and supervision of his father’s will to be equally divided between him and his brothers; but what, if the presence of the Lord should be seen and considered as privacy intrusion into their family’s affairs by the rest of his brethren? Christ is therefore at risk to suffer physical injury, verbal abuse and insults as a busy-body in other men’s matter: these kinds of sufferings and injuries does not count for us as suffering for Christ or for his kingdom sake than the correction of fools and rewards of the inquisitive people lacking in self control, self-respect and dignity: if ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 1 Peter 4:14-15. (3). If Christ honored the invitation of the young man because he does not want to offend him without considering the implication of such decision on the glory and testimony of God is to portray himself as a trouble seeker and to bring men’s wrath on himself for his mistake and wrong decision: he that passes by, and meddles with strife belonging not to him, is like one that takes a dog by the ears. Proverbs 26:17. Note: let no man’s admiration and praises influence to drive any into situation to act beyond the measure of line we have from God to exercise spiritual authority where spirituality does not imply and beyond the capacity we received of him to minister in his name, lest our good be evil spoken of when men seems not to understand the reason we have to exaggerate beyond divine influence of grace we received from above.
 
 
Verses 15: And he said unto them, take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisted not in the abundance of the things which he possesses. The Lord searches the heart to declare unto man what his thoughts are because all things are naked and opened before him with whom we have to do. The Lord sees not as man sees, for man looks outward, but the Lord looks deeper into the heart of the heart of men to deal with individuals. Jesus therefore exposed the intents of this young’s man’s heart that is greedy of gain and cannot be satisfied with what he has to avoid contention and other sorrows which may excalated from family’s feud of unequal sharing of will and inheritance, which sometimes can be death -dealing. This is a guy who has gotten more than enough to live and to enjoy his present life: presumably, his brothers are wicked, greedy of material possessions, selfish and cruel; but he desired more without counting the risks of engaging in battle for equal sharing of material possession which was left behind by their late father by thinking that the worth and value of his life among his siblings and in God’s sight is judged by the accumulation of wealth and material resources acquired as the eye is not satisfied with seeing, not the ear filled with hearing: and as the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full: so are men’s desires insatiable until death to go back empty handed to the grave just as he came: or, until he found out that his inestimable riches and true satisfaction is presently in Christ Jesus without any condition to be or not to be, to have or not to have. Ecclesiastes 1:7-8. Note: salvation is priceless and its value is enormously and immeasurably huge beyond any sum of money that none can by any means redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God: for the redemption of his soul is costly that it should not die but live for- ever (Psalms 49:7-9): therefore, no true believer can ever evaluate his true worth to estimate his true value in Christ on the balance of financial net worth as a son who were not redeemed with corruptible things such as gold and silver, but with the precious-priceless unblemished blood of the Lamb which was shed before the foundation of the world.
 
Strong warnings are issued from the Lord Jesus against covetousness which is idolatry; for which things sake the wrath of God is coming upon the children of disobedience, be ye not therefore partaker with them (Colossians 3:5-6) so that believers should be content to find their happiness and satisfaction, not in the vanities and vexations of spirit in those things that can be shaken, material and temporal, and are meant to decay and be destroyed: let none by the lack of contentment and satisfaction in Christ exchange the gift of eternal life for the treasures of Egypt. Hebrews 11:26.
Was the seed that fell among the thorns (Mark 4: 18-19) are not the believers taken over by the cares of this life, deceitfulness of riches and the lusts of other things and are choked to death in hell for their desire and pursuit after gain and ungodly profits? Was Gehazi the servant of Elisha and his generation (2 Kings 5:27) not cursed with the leprosy of Naaman the captain of Syrian’s army because of his covetousness? Was Achan with his family were not stoned to death because of his covetousness (Joshua 7:24-25) to the accursed thing in the conquest of Jericho? Has not the scriptures warn believers to separate from covetous brethren (1 Corinthians 6: 9-10) who would not be content with such things as they have, but will seek to live beyond their means and have what others are enjoying without considering their personal income if it is up to what others are working for? Exodus 20:17.
The spirit of covetousness is to make or have more money and increasing gain in an unrighteous manner, leading many people into hurtful sins and sorrows (money rituals, con lifestyle, embezzlement of funds, murder, broken homes etc) and drowning believers into destruction and perdition of ungodly men. It is called the love of money, the root of all evil for lack of contentment from the basic need and provision of daily life –food and raiment.
This spirit of covetousness is turning many true servants of God to become a false teacher, pastor, apostle, evangelist and false prophet and men pleasers because of what they can get from the people (2 Peter 2: 1-3) and through covetousness are they making merchandise of God’s people by flattering speeches and sweet words. To them, godliness is all about gain and Christ is the merchandise to sell for money just like Judas betrayed Christ, these are also crucifying him the second time: and by them, the way of truth is evil spoken of: if any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmising, perverse disputing of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:3-10. Hebrews 13:5-6.
 
 
Verses 16-21: the exposition of the parable of the rich fool.
 
Every good and perfect gift comes from God, but how hardly shall they that are rich enter into the kingdom of heaven? But the thing that is hard and difficult for a carnal man to do, is possible if Christ lives in him; if he shall not be high-minded to set the heart upon that which is not, for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven (Proverbs 23:5) nor trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy; that he should do good, that he be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for himself a good foundation against the time to come, that he may lay hold on eternal life. 1Timothy 6:17-19.
 
Christ exposed the folly of his heart and the deceitful thoughts of the pridefulness of the rich fool’s heart centered on himself and was based on the false understanding of his perceived fulfillment and accomplishment of life (false value, worth and estimation of life) in the perfection of his seven prideful expression and haughtiness which provoked instant wrath of God and the speedy execution of judgment assigned unto the messenger of death (Ecclesiastes 8:8) to take him out that very night. And he thought within himself, saying, what shall ‘I’ do (no guidance sought from God on what to do) because ‘I’ have no room where to bestow my fruits (no consciousness of his stewardship with the trusted goods and resources). And he said, this will ‘I’ do (his life now centered on himself, its main subject of attention and interest) ‘I’ will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will ‘I’ bestow all my fruits and my goods. And ‘I’ will say to ‘my’ soul, soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
(1) He was so full of himself: but if any man thinks (for whatever reason) that he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 1 Corinthians 4:7. (2) He was so sure of himself as a result of all he has gotten: but shall the axe boast over him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it? Isaiah 10:15. (3) He was so sure of everything and was found guilty of boasting on the wealth sent from God (if I rejoice because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much;If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness;and my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand:this also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above. Job 31: 25-28) and guilty of boasting of tomorrow and future (Proverbs 27:1. James 4:13-16) to personally determined the duration and extent of his life existence on earth (your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalms: 139:16) as if the issues from death are in his proper power to keep alive his own soul as the shepherd and Bishop of it. Psalms 68:20. 1 Peter 2:25. (4) For his ignorance and misconception of the purposes of his existence in his desire and pursuit to live by bread alone with no understanding that the kingdom of God is not meats and drinks: but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy-Ghost (Romans 14:17): for the unpardonable sin of gluttonous wishful and desired lifestyle he sought after (and in that day did the Lord God of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:and behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we shall die. And it was revealed in mine ears by the Lord of hosts, surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, says the Lord God of hosts. Isaiah 22:13-14) to give the rule of his life to his stomach instead of God’s reign over his life for his belly to become his god and to glory in his shame are the factors that moved God to bring his life to an abrupt end and eternal destruction. Philippians 3: 18-19.
 
 
The present and eternal danger of false banking, wrong life’s pursuit and lifestyle: Luke 12 verses 20-21.
 
God will have us understand the importance attached to true heart disposition and administration of whatever goods and blessings of abundance provisions in our possession, lest that which is meant to bless us on earth and enriches us for greater treasure in heaven (prosperity and abundance) becomes a curse and the cause of destruction from the presence of God. In abundance or want, believers should learn to live for Christ in moderation and self-control (according to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:20-21: 4:11-13) lest they that use the world should be engrossed and abused the use of it (1 Corinthians 7:31) and be counted as the enemy of God in their friendship with the world and in the love (1 John 2:15-17) of the things that are in it. Believers must live unto him that died for them and rose again in riches or poverty (2 Corinthians 5:14-15): life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes: none of us live unto themselves in Christ: whether we live, we are the Lord’s: and whether we die, we are the Lord’s.
 
 
None should be confident of anything outside of that he is made assured from the Lord (Luke 2: 25-26) and our expectations ought solely to rest on those things spoken and confirmed to us by God lest we become delusional through vain desires and lustful expectations and hope. Life in Christ is more than anything we can feel, taste; touch, and taste. Life in Christ is more than what we have become or we can become. Life in Christ is more than what we had gained or lose, and what friends have come to stay or the departed company. Life in Christ is more than what we possess as inheritance or have not. Life in Christ is more than our academic, financial, matrimonial, social and professional achievements or what we aim to achieve or failed to achieve according to the standard of the world. Philippians 3:7-8. But a man without understanding, when things are not working out according to his calculations, plans and expectations, assumed that there is nothing to live for than to die: thus he either commit suicide or altogether go back from following the Lord in whom we live and move and have our being. But our life in Christ is much more than our earthly fulfilments and accomplishments: to abide, live and walk daily like Christ in earthly success or failure, prosperity, abundance, want and lack is the true value and worth of life – Christ is the life: to live is Christ and to die while living for him is gain.
 
Material and earthly blessings are just the little of the things eyes has not seen and ears has not heard benefits of salvation and redemption in Christ Jesus which are of no comparison to the treasures incorruptible reserved in heaven and should not be allowed to steal the heart or to puff it up to go astray to miss the greatest blessing of the glorious city to come: for here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come. This is the real value of life- to live for the city to come where God is foundation, maker and builder. 
 
Christ is the model of life to imitate and practice living like him that we may become increasingly more like him day by day to reflect and grow in his resemblance as dear children of God. The real value of life is the life fully lived out all about Christ. It is not a life built on self aggrandisement and praise in the place of increasing and magnifying Christ: such a life is meaningless, senseless, wasteful and fruitless, instead of bringing fruit unto Christ, he’s bring fruit unto himself like was an empty vine , produces fruit unto himself. Amos 10:1 a. Christ is the life: for we are crucified with Christ; and though we live, yet not us, but he lives in us. Galatians 2:20.
 
To live, walk, abide and grow daily in his righteousness is the real value of life is the real deal: and to live, demonstrate and share his compassion and goodness with others is the real value of life for the testimony of a good name in Christ Jesus. This is the whole duty of man on earth, the value of life – to do good and to keep his commandments by sowing to the Spirit and not to the flesh that you may reap eternal life afterward. How many souls have you turned from sin unto righteousness to shine as star when you get to heaven? This is the real value of life! How many lives have you positively impact for Christ to be your crown of rejoicing reward when you get to heaven? This is the real value of life! Lay up for yourself treasure in heaven. What is your personal saving account balance sheet in the treasury in heaven reading, where thieves does not break in to steal and moth does not corrupt to destroy? This is the real value of life! Are you a Barnabas, the son of consolation among the brethren and a Dorcas for the widows in the church? This is the real value of life! Have you forsaken all to follow him and would not count anything dear unto you in comparison of him to live for him alone? This is the real value of life! Have you not read how Moses by faith when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward: that by faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible? Hebrews 11: 24-27.
 
It is the life of greatness you are presently pursuing to become in heaven while you live to serve others for the reward of the inheritance. Has Christ not once said that whosoever seeks to be great among you should be the servant of all, even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life as a ransom unto many? This is the real value of life, even as Christ once lived on earth and he’s now set down at the right hand of God in heaven.
 
 
Do not let your confidence, assurance, quietness, glory and rejoicing be found to be rested and secured on material and financial resources, neither on anything that can be seen and temporal (thus says the Lord, let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, says the Lord. Jeremiah 9: 23-24) than to arm the mind to subdue the flesh to overcome its lusts and its pride in whatever state we found ourselves to live in a victorious and overcoming life in the spirit in this present earthly life of which the worth and values of our spiritual lives shall be the criteria of judgment afterwards: not in any earthly gain or accomplishments and glory of it which shall not descend with man to his grave (Psalms 49:17) nor taken alongside his soul back to his creator: therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh [and died for us], arm yourselves [like warriors] with the same purpose [being willing to suffer for doing what is right and pleasing God], because whoever has suffered in the flesh [being like-minded with Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [having stopped pleasing the world], so that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living for human appetites and desires, but [lives] for the will and purpose of God. For the time already past is [more than] enough for doing what the [unsaved] Gentiles like to do—[b]living [unrestrained as you have done] in a course of [shameless] sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries. In [connection with] all this, they [the unbelievers] are resentful and surprised that you do not [think like them, value their values and] run [hand in hand] with them into the same excesses of dissipation and immoral freedom, and they criticize and abuse and ridicule you and make fun of your values. But they will [have to] give an account to Him who is ready to judge and pass sentence on the living and the dead. For this is why the good news [of salvation] was preached [in their lifetimes] even to those who are dead, that though they were judged in the flesh as men are, they may live in the spirit according to [the will and purpose of] God. 1 Peter 4:1-6. Amplified Bible.