SATURDAY 21ST FEBRUARY DEVOTIONAL: SETTLED IN FAITH, NOT FEAR

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Refuse to Be a Fool: Lessons from Scripture By Rev. Dr. Albert Oduwole

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Parable of the rich fool painting

Church is not just a family, it is also a faculty — a place of learning, growth, and discipline. That’s why note-taking matters. Revelation 1:11 reminds us that even John was asked to “write in a book what you see.” In Acts 17:11, the Berean believers were commended because they searched the Scriptures daily to confirm what they heard. A wise Christian doesn’t only listen; they record, reflect, and return to the Word.

But wisdom is more than taking notes. The Bible warns us against living as fools. Jesus Himself told a story in Luke 12:15–21 about a rich man who trusted in his wealth and forgot God. That very night, his soul was required of him. God called him a fool.

The message is clear: success without God is foolishness.

Five Types of Fools in the Bible

  1. The Atheistic Fool
    📖 Psalm 53:1 – “The fool has said in his heart, There is no God.”
    Denying the Creator while enjoying His creation is the height of folly.

  2. The Unexpected Fool
    📖 Job 2:10 – Job rebuked his wife for speaking like a foolish woman.
    Sometimes, people we expect to know better still act foolishly.

  3. The Influenced Fool
    📖 Galatians 3:1 – “O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you…?”
    Many lose their way because they let others mislead them.

  4. The Proud Fool
    📖 1 Samuel 25:25 – Nabal, whose very name means “fool,” was arrogant and unteachable.
    Better to remain single than to marry a Nabal. Pride blinds and destroys.

  5. The Rich, Self-Centered Fool
    📖 Luke 12:20 – “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you…’”
    When possessions replace purpose, wealth becomes worthless.

The Three Errors of the Rich Fool

  1. He focused on gold instead of God.
    If you pursue God, He can give you gold. But if you chase gold without God, you’ll end up empty.

  2. He focused on his soul instead of souls.
    How many souls have you prayed for this year? Who around you have you invited into God’s light?

  3. He refused to give glory to God.
    Every blessing is a trust from God. Deuteronomy 8:18 reminds us: “It is He who gives you power to get wealth.”

Five Things the Rich Fool Forgot

  1. He forgot to give glory to God.
    Some celebrate in clubs what God gave them in church. Don’t forget the Source of your blessings.

  2. He forgot the place of his blessing.
    Jacob remembered Bethel, the place where God visited him, and returned to honor God there.

  3. He forgot the instruments of his prosperity.
    God uses people — pastors, mentors, leaders — as channels of blessing. Don’t despise them.

  4. He forgot the helpers of his destiny.
    Joseph was forgotten by the butler, but in due time God stirred remembrance. Don’t be ungrateful to those who stood by you.

  5. He forgot to give thanks.
    Gratitude preserves blessings; ingratitude shortens them.

A Call to Wisdom

The devil believes in God, yet refuses to obey Him. Don’t live like that. Wisdom is not in possessions, but in living rich toward God.

Say it aloud: “I refuse to be a fool.”

  • I refuse to put gold above God.
  • I refuse to put my comfort above winning souls.
  • I refuse to forget the Source of my blessings.

Prayer

Lord, give me the grace not to be a fool. Deliver me from pride, bad influence, and self-centered living. Help me to remember You, to value souls, and to give You glory always. Today I make a commitment: I refuse to be a fool. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Into Thanksgiving

As we give thanks today, let us be unlike the rich fool who hoarded and forgot God. Let us remember: every breath, every blessing, and every breakthrough comes from Him. Thanksgiving is our wisdom response to God’s goodness.

Did anybody get blessed? Then give God the glory! 🙌

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