Knowing The Word in Luke 12:22-34, Do Not Be Anxious

From the sins of greed and selfishness, Jesus turns to the sin of worry. Why is worry a sin? Because it leads us away in 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? Apparently, some of his disciples were anxious about things. Was he speaking to Judas? Jesus commands his followers not to worry. 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. Believers must not be dominated by their possessions. Trust in riches prohibits trust in God. Instead we are to seek true and eternal treasures. Our hearts and treasures are to go together.

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.

Prayer:

He that is down needs fear no fall,

He that is low, no pride;

He that is humble ever shall

Have God to be his guide.

I am content with what I have,

Little be it or much:

And, Lord, contentment still I crave;

Because thou savest such.

John Bunyan, 1628-1688