Knowing Your Heart

Jesus 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. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 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! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 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. 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! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 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. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

- Luke 12:22-34

Why is worry a sin? Because it leads us away from trusting in God. Jesus argues that if God makes provision for the unclean raven, how about you who are created in his image? If you cannot control your lifespan, why do you think you can control other things? If God does so much for flowers that disappear quickly, won’t he do so much more for you?

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. Trust in riches prohibits trust in God. Instead, seek true and eternal treasures, such that our hearts and treasure go together.

Are your heart and treasure in or out of alignment? If out of alignment, what can you do to bring it into alignment?

Prayer

Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.