Knowing The Word in Luke 12:22-34

Do Not Be Anxious

12:22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Comments

From the sins of greed and selfishness, Jesus turns to the sin of worry. Worry is a sin because it means we do not trust God. I have heard many people try and justify their worry, but as they do, they expose further their lack of trust in God. Jesus makes the point that life is so much bigger than basic necessities and possessions. If God makes provision for the unclean ravens, how about you who are created in his image? Are we not worth more to God? If we cannot control our lifespan, how can we control other things. The rich fool could not add an hour to his life.

Apparently, some of Jesus’ disciples were anxious about things. He may have been speaking directly to Judas. Jesus commands his followers not to worry, because worry inhibits action. Instead, disciples are to pledge themselves to Jesus and spend their time doing his work and seeking his rule in their lives and in the world. They are to bring others into the same relationship with, and understanding of, Jesus. They will not grow rich, but they will not go lacking either.

The “little flock” is Jesus’ small group of true disciples. He had told them to seek first the kingdom of God, and now he tells them the Father will give it to them. In accepting the kingdom into their lives, believers must not be dominated by their possessions, because trust in riches prohibits trust in God. They are to seek true and eternal treasures. For believers, their hearts and treasures are to go together.

Application

Anxiety can lead people to sin. Think of the anxiety of peer pressure as an example. God wants us living in his kingdom and not a worldly kingdom. This is hard but possible. The Bible tells us to rest in God, meaning to trust in him. This will lead us away from anxiety.

If someone were to look at your checkbook or credit card statement, where would they say your treasure is? Why not look now and see where it is?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I hand over my worries to you at the foot of the cross so that you may increase my trust in you more and more. (Name those worries now to Jesus.)