Thou Fool

Based on Luke 12: 16-18

With a smile, Edward Horton scanned his south 80-acre corn field. It looked to be a bumper crop. The leaves of the corn starting to turn brown, meant time to prepare for the harvest. After checking the combine, he planned to bring his files up to date.

Lestor Horton, Ed’s neighbor, pulled his truck to a stop next to Edward’s truck to visit. “Morning, Ed. I didn’t see many weeds when it was green. Your field is looking good. When you figure you’ll harvest it?”

“It’ll be ready in a few weeks. It better not have many weeds,” said Ed. “I spent a lot of money on spraying. How’s your crop looking?”

“Not as good, but I don’t have an irrigation system like you do. I get by with old equipment and the good Lord’s help.”

“’Good Lord’s help’?”

“Yeah. You know. Rain and shine. Good germination rate. Things I can’t do myself…I heard your warehouse is for sale. You getting out of the furniture business?”

“Sort of. I’m selling all the new furniture and the building. I’ll use the money to start a new business. I’ve found a niche market. Furniture at estate sales goes pretty cheap, and I plan to buy the good ones. That furniture I’ll sell to people who want to refinish it. Some people like to do that. My plans are to buy a lot to have a good selection. I figure I need a bigger warehouse.”

“You’ve got it made all right. Good corn crop. Thriving in the business world…Have you made plans for your wife to take care of it all?”

“Nah. She doesn’t care about it. I’m only in my 50s. And don’t plan on dying anytime soon. Self-made man is what I am. The first dollar I earned mowing yards at age thirteen is hanging on the wall.”  

“How about your kids? Leaving anything to them?

“They fi-nally have it figured out. I won’t give them anything. They can work up from the bottom, like I did.”

“I could use your advice on investments.”

“Not today. I’m pretty busy…but sure. I’ll have you over for supper some night.”

“Well. My cows are waiting for their grain. Here’s wishing you the best. Goodbye,” said Lestor.

“Goodbye,” said Edward.

           After preparing his combine for harvest, he came in for supper.

           “I talked to Lestor Horton today,” said Ed to his wife, Myrna. “He said his crop doesn’t look as good as mine. The money, corn, and goods I have, well, that’ll be good for years to come. Numbers don’t lie. I’ll crunch them tonight… I’m thinking about tearing down the old grain bin and building a bigger one. If the yield is what I expect, I will need it.”

”

           Myrna said, “You haven’t even filled that old grain bin from last year. Is a new one worth it?” She muttered, “What good will a new one do when you don’t use what you have?”

           “After I bring my files up to date, I’ll know for sure. No loans for me. I don’t want a bank with any claims to my property. What I have, I earned myself. No one gives me anything. I did it all.”

           “Not even God helping you, huh?” said Myrna as she stood from the supper table. “Job said, ‘The Lord giveth.” Myrna lifted a plate as she cleared the table. “And the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.’ If God can take as well as give, what are you going to do if he takes your harvest?”

           Ed snorted. “There you go pushing God again. He’s ignored me and I’m getting along fine. I’ve got corn in bins, furniture to sell, and commodity investments. I’m prepared. God just set things in motion, and I’m using it wisely.

“What about the weather?”

           “Yeah. Well. Planting early took care of that.”

           Myrna frowned and put her hands on her hips. “I don’t think you did it without God’s help. You didn’t make the kernel of corn. You planted those kernels all right, but they germinated without you. The plant made ears of its own accord.”

           “You’re denying my role in growing corn,” said the farmer. “The money I’ve spent on taking care of that corn is showing up now. It wouldn’t have grown if I hadn’t done what I did. I’m good at what I do.”

           “You’re ignoring God.”

           Ed shrugged. “He ignores me.”

           “I hope your corn bins get mice, and your warehouse gets rats.” The wife walked away muttering. “No wonder I’m a church widow.”

           “We have farm cats,” he called to her. “And my new warehouse will be rat proof.”

           Ed sat in his recliner to work on his laptop. “One hundred sixty bushels to the acre. 80 acres. $4/bushel. Yes. Myrna.” He leaned in wife’s direction and called to. her. “The numbers show I’ll cover my expenses and have extra on top.”

”

           Myrna stopped washing dishes to talk to him. “’Don’t count your eggs before they hatch.’ It’s an old saying but true.” She resumed doing the dishes.

           “Old sayings are just that: old. I’ve got the most recent computer and farm program. I’m ready for anything. That hybrid corn is doing better than I thought. Numbers from last month indicate this may be the best year ever. Talking about old sayings, I’ll do like the old one that says ‘eat, drink, and be merry’. Maybe we could even take a vacation after harvest. What do you think?”

           “A vacation would be nice, but if you have so much money, why don’t you donate some to that hurricane disaster in Louisiana?” said Myrna as she dried her hands on a towel. “Or take our vacation to go down there and help.”

           “Don’t be ridiculous.”

           Myrna rolled her eyes and left to work on her crafts.

           Edward set aside his laptop.

He turned on the TV to the Weather channel to learn of worldwide conditions that might affect his commodities. Ed relaxed and as the weatherman droned, he drifted asleep.

“Thou fool,” said a voice without a body. It came out of nowhere, “This night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?”