Luke 12:17

17 And he reasoned to himself, saying, 'What should I do? For I do not have anywhere I can gather in my crops.'

Luke 12:17 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 12:17

And, he thought within himself
And foolish thoughts they were; he did not think of God, or that there was one, and much less that he was the author, of all his outward prosperity and plenty; and was still further off of thinking of returning thanks to God for it: or of asking counsel of him, what he should do with it; but he consults himself only, and thought only within, and for himself; and not at all of his poor neighbours, or for the good of others; nor did he think even of his own soul, but altogether about his worldly substance:

saying, what shall I do?
he does not say what shall I do for God? for his interest service, and glory? for the poor, the hungry, and thirsty, and naked? or for my own soul, that that may be eternally saved? but what shall I do with my goods?

because I have no room where to bestow my fruits:
he had gathered in his harvest, and filled his barns as full as they could hold, so that they had no room for more; and yet had still an abundance to lay up, and about which he was anxiously concerned; not thinking of the empty bellies, barns, and houses of the poor, where he might have stowed much.

Luke 12:17 In-Context

15 And he said to them, "Watch out and guard yourselves from all greediness, because not [even] when someone has an abundance {does} his life [consist] of his possessions."
16 And he told a parable to them, saying, "The land of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest.
17 And he reasoned to himself, saying, 'What should I do? For I do not have anywhere I can gather in my crops.'
18 And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and I will gather in there all my grain and possessions.
19 And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many possessions stored up for many years. Relax, eat, drink, celebrate!" '
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.