The situation of the poor, the orphan, the widow, the suffering, the afflicted, was brought to this rich man's attention; there were many places in which to bestow his goods. He could easily have relieved himself of a portion of his abundance, and many homes would have been freed from want, many who were hungry would have been fed, many naked clothed, many hearts made glad, many prayers for bread and clothing answered, and a melody of praise would have ascended to heaven. The Lord had heard the prayers of the needy, and of His goodness He had prepared for the poor. (Ps. 68:10.) Abundant provision for the wants of many had been made in the blessings bestowed upon the rich man. But he closed his heart to the cry of the needy, and said to his servants, "This will I do: I will pull 257 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 thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry."

Denne mand blev gjort opmærksom på de fattige, de forældreløse, enkerne, de lidende og de syge; der var mange steder hvor han kunne anbringe sit gods. Han kunne let have skaffet sig af med en del af sin overflod, og mange hjem ville være blevet befriet for deres savn, mange sultne ville være blevet mætte, mange nøgne ville have fået klæder mange hjerter gjort glade, mange bønner om brød og tøj ville være blevet besvaret, og lovsang ville være steget op mod det høje. Herren havde hørt de nødlidendes bøn, og i sin godhed havde han sørget for de fattige. Der var sørget rigeligt for mange trængende i de goder som den rige mand havde modtaget. Men han lukkede sit hjerte for de nødlidendes råb og sagde til sine tjenere: "Sådan vil jeg gøre: jeg vil rive mine lader ned og bygge dem større, og der vil jeg samle alt mit korn og mit gods; og jeg vil sige til min sjæl: Sjæl! du har meget gods liggende, nok for mange år; slå dig til ro, spis, drik og vær glad!"