Question:

In Luke 12:20 (NKJV), it says:

“But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’“

But who are these that “require” or “demand” his soul?

Context:

In Luke 12:13–21, Jesus tells a parable in response to a man concerned about inheritance. Jesus warns against greed (choyo) and the false belief that life’s security comes from wealth.
The rich man in the parable had such a great harvest that he planned to build bigger barns to store it all. He told himself to relax — eat, drink, and be merry — thinking he had secured his future.

But God calls him a “fool” — not because he was rich, but because he trusted in his wealth instead of God. He thought he controlled his life, but in reality, he was blind to the spiritual reality that life and death are in God’s hands

(see Job 1:21 — “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.“).

This suggests that more than one party was involved in demanding his soul:

• Angels of death could have been sent to claim his life (Hebrews 9:27 — “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment“).
  
  
• Spiritual forces of darkness could also have been awaiting his downfall, especially because of his sin of idolatry — trusting riches more than God (John 10:10 — “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.“).
  
  
• Human enemies — thieves, assassins, or jealous opponents — could have been plotting physical harm.
  
  
• The justice of God itself demands the soul of those who are unrepentant and live for themselves instead of God (Romans 6:23 — “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.“).
  
  

In short, it’s not just “one” — it’s the combination of spiritual and physical forces moving under God’s sovereign allowance to bring judgment.

warning message :

Like that rich man, many today put their trust in wealth, careers, insurance, medicine, and human systems, but forget their ultimate security comes only from God.
The Bible warns us

 in Proverbs 11:4 (NKJV):“Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.“

It’s dangerous to live without being “rich toward God” — meaning to invest your heart, time, and treasures into God’s Kingdom and purposes

Matthew 6:19–21 — “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also“).

The rich man stored up earthly goods but had no heavenly investment. When the time came, his riches couldn’t save him.
Psalm 49:6-7 (NKJV) says:

“Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him.“

Only a relationship with Jesus Christ can guarantee eternal life.
That’s why Hebrews 2:3 urges us:

“How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation…“

And remember what Psalm 127:1 (NKJV) says:

“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.“

Final Thoughts:

Every day we live, unseen forces are at work. Only God’s mercy keeps us safe.
Let’s be wise — not fools — by living every day in trust, obedience, and relationship with Him, rich toward God, not just rich in the things of this world.

Be blessed.
Trust in Jesus.
Stay ready.

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