“Then Whose Shall Those Things Be Which You Have Provided?”

In Luke 12:16-20, Jesus tells a parable that strikes at the very core of our assumptions about success, legacy, and security. 

The rich man had a problem most of us dream about—he had too much. His ground yielded so much produce that he had no room to store it. So he built bigger barns, secured his future, and said to himself, “Take life easy; eat, drink, and be merry.” But God called him a fool, saying, “This night your soul will be required of you. Then whose will those things be which you have provided?”

This haunting question invites us to rethink how we view our resources, our legacy, and the people who come after us.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• Effort Alone Is Not Enough—Wisdom Must Follow
• God Cares About Who Inherits Your Values and Resources
• Build a Legacy That Doesn’t End With You
• Equip the Next Generation—Don’t Just Bless Them
• Don’t Let Your Life’s Work Die With You

Are you building a legacy that ends with you? Or one that echoes God’s wisdom through generations? Read on and explore how you can answer Jesus’ question with confidence.

Effort Alone Is Not Enough—Wisdom Must Follow

The rich man’s ground yielded bountifully, but ground does not yield without effort. 

He likely studied soil science, seasonal cycles, and economic trends. He was not lazy; he was strategic. His success didn’t fall from the sky—it resulted from planning, learning, and diligent labour.

But here’s the tension: Success in the present without preparation for the future can be dangerous. Jesus didn’t question the man’s work ethic—He questioned his foresight and spiritual awareness.

What good is hard work if the fruit of your labour ends up in the hands of those unequipped to steward it? 

The rich man had no legacy plan. And in the end, someone else—perhaps unworthy or unwise—would inherit what he had built.

So, where do we go from here?

God Cares About Who Inherits Your Values and Resources

The lesson deepens. 

Jesus’ question isn’t only about material loss; it’s about spiritual neglect. The rich man built wealth but failed to build people. God was not only watching how he used his wealth, but also who it would impact when he was gone.

Scripture often highlights intergenerational responsibility:

“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children” (Proverbs 13:22, NKJV).

This inheritance is more than wealth. It’s about values, faith, wisdom, and readiness. Jesus’ question—“Then whose will those things be?”—suggests that God holds us accountable not only for what we build but also for how we pass it on.

If we don’t disciple those who follow us, we may be guilty of empowering destruction.

Build a Legacy That Doesn’t End With You

But legacy isn’t automatic. 

To ensure that our values outlive our assets, we must build intentionally, not just in barns, but in hearts.

The Bible gives us many models of generational planning:

• Moses mentored Joshua, preparing him to lead.
• David failed to mentor Absalom, and it led to rebellion.
• Jesus equipped the disciples, who carried on His mission.
  

Legacy is intentional. It’s about pouring your convictions into others while you still can. The man in the parable had barns, but he lacked proteges.

Are you storing grain while neglecting to sow into people?

And remember:

“He who lives for self is a pauper in the sight of God. He who stores up treasures for himself is bankrupt in the books of heaven.”
— Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 258

This sobering reminder cuts through the illusion of worldly success and refocuses us on divine accounting. God’s books measure generosity, not accumulation.

Now that we’ve identified the importance of legacy, the next question is: How?

Equip the Next Generation—Don’t Just Bless Them

It’s one thing to pass down resources; it’s another to pass down readiness. 

Many inherit wealth, but few inherit wisdom.

The tragedy of the rich fool was not only what he built, but who he failed to build.

Here’s how to equip others wisely:

• Model stewardship: Let them see how you use resources, not just what you have.
• Teach biblical values: Use resources like HFA’s content to offer timeless, biblical answers to life’s questions.
• Include them in your process: Let your children or mentees be part of decisions, so they learn responsibility.
• Pray for and with them: The spiritual legacy must be both taught and transferred.
  

Preparing the next generation doesn’t require perfection—but it does require presence, purpose, and planning.

Don’t Let Your Life’s Work Die With You

So, back to Jesus’ question: “Then whose will those things be which you have provided?”

It’s a question that pierces through time and speaks directly to each of us. Will your life’s work bless others, or vanish in a legacy vacuum? Will your barns outlive your beliefs?

The rich man’s story doesn’t have to be your story.

You can:

• Work diligently like the rich man, but also…
• Prepare wisely like a godly steward, and
• Empower others like a faithful disciple.

Then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?