Saving vs. Hoarding

How can you know whether you are storing up with wisdom—like the ant in Proverbs—or falling into the trap that Jesus warns us against through the story of the rich fool?

Proverbs 30:25 says, “Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer.” The ant is one of four small things on earth that the writer of Proverbs calls “extremely wise.” From this, we see that saving—preparing for the future—is a good and godly practice.

But then we come to Luke 12 and the parable of the rich fool. This man, a successful farmer, has a harvest too large for his barns. So he decides to tear them down and build bigger ones. On the surface, it sounds like wisdom—just like the ant storing up for the season ahead.

Yet Jesus calls him a fool. Why?

Because his heart is revealed in his response to the surplus.

Jesus critiques him for two things:

1. A sense of self-sufficiency that leads to self-indulgence.
2. Storing up for himself without being “rich toward God.”

The ant saves to survive and thrive in a season of need. The rich fool saves—or more accurately, hoards—without any thought for others, for God, or for the bigger story of the kingdom. He wants to be self-sufficient, needing no one, including God.

Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 6:17 are a timely warning: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”

So what can we take from this?

The wise saver—the ant—prepares for the future but stays ready to use what is saved to meet real needs. The rich fool saves in pursuit of control, comfort, and more—always more. And in the end, he loses everything.

Jesus makes it plain: “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”

Saving wisely means choosing the path of the ant. It means stewarding what we’ve been given—yes, with foresight—but always with open hands, ready to serve, ready to give, ready to trust God for the next season.