22Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (NIV)
MAIN IDEAS FROM THIS TEXT
A. The basic necessities of life are not sufficient to give meaning to life, so they should not receive our most urgent attention.
22Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.
God has granted us life so that we may seek Him (Acts 17:25-27), know Him (Jn 17:3) and worship Him in spirit and in truth (Jn 4:24). Yet, He fulfills His purpose even for those who reject Him (Da 4:35).
B. Anxiety is pointless, because a) only God has control over our lives; and b) He values us more than the rest of His creation.
24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
Jesus’ point of verse 24 is not that people shouldn't work just as ravens don't; rather, it is this: if God provides for these creatures in spite of the fact that they don’t sow or reap, how much more will He provide for those who trust in Him!
v. 24 – in God’s eyes, there is clearly a difference in importance between humans and creatures (see also Ps 8:3-8)
v. 25 – we think that worry can somehow give us power to control our lives – i.e., the more we obsess over something that’s concerning us, the more control we have over it. But we can’t; we are no less dependent upon God for our lives than at any other time.
Discussion Question #1: If our anxieties and worries not only grieve the Holy Spirit, but result in having no value whatsoever for us, why do we still struggle with it as we do?
C. When we consider how much more important we are to God than the rest of His creation, it is helpful for us to think about how much He cares for creation itself.
27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!
Discussion Question #2: What works of God encourage you to trust Him, knowing how wonderfully He has made them?
D. In contrast to the world around us, we must seek - as our biggest priority - God’s rule in our life rather than what we need for our life, and the LORD will provide us with both.
29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
Seeking God’s kingdom, or His rule, involves knowing Him personally as our Lord, giving the direction and control of our lives over to His rule, and making Him known to others.
E. He who is pleased to have us dwell with Him in His future kingdom will not fail to carry out His purpose for us in this world.
32"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.
Discussion Question #3: In what sense has God’s kingdom already been given to us? In what sense do we still need to seek it?
F. Good works done for God’s kingdom constitute the true riches which will last forever.
33Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
“I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” (Lk 16:9)
”God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” (Heb 6:10)
G. How we use what we have reveals the true state of our heart.
34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Discussion Question #4: What is the difference between Jesus’ saying in verse 34, and the statement, “Where your heart is, your treasure will be”? Why do you think Jesus says the former rather than the latter?
Next week (Oct. 5): Luke 12: 35-48 – A Call to Faithful Stewardship
27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (NIV)
MAIN IDEAS FROM THIS TEXT
A. The basic necessities of life are not sufficient to give meaning to life, so they should not receive our most urgent attention.
22Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.
God has granted us life so that we may seek Him (Acts 17:25-27), know Him (Jn 17:3) and worship Him in spirit and in truth (Jn 4:24). Yet, He fulfills His purpose even for those who reject Him (Da 4:35).
B. Anxiety is pointless, because a) only God has control over our lives; and b) He values us more than the rest of His creation.
24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
Jesus’ point of verse 24 is not that people shouldn't work just as ravens don't; rather, it is this: if God provides for these creatures in spite of the fact that they don’t sow or reap, how much more will He provide for those who trust in Him!
v. 24 – in God’s eyes, there is clearly a difference in importance between humans and creatures (see also Ps 8:3-8)
v. 25 – we think that worry can somehow give us power to control our lives – i.e., the more we obsess over something that’s concerning us, the more control we have over it. But we can’t; we are no less dependent upon God for our lives than at any other time.
Discussion Question #1: If our anxieties and worries not only grieve the Holy Spirit, but result in having no value whatsoever for us, why do we still struggle with it as we do?
C. When we consider how much more important we are to God than the rest of His creation, it is helpful for us to think about how much He cares for creation itself.
27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!
Discussion Question #2: What works of God encourage you to trust Him, knowing how wonderfully He has made them?
D. In contrast to the world around us, we must seek - as our biggest priority - God’s rule in our life rather than what we need for our life, and the LORD will provide us with both.
29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
Seeking God’s kingdom, or His rule, involves knowing Him personally as our Lord, giving the direction and control of our lives over to His rule, and making Him known to others.
E. He who is pleased to have us dwell with Him in His future kingdom will not fail to carry out His purpose for us in this world.
32"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.
Discussion Question #3: In what sense has God’s kingdom already been given to us? In what sense do we still need to seek it?
F. Good works done for God’s kingdom constitute the true riches which will last forever.
33Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
“I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” (Lk 16:9)
”God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” (Heb 6:10)
G. How we use what we have reveals the true state of our heart.
34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Discussion Question #4: What is the difference between Jesus’ saying in verse 34, and the statement, “Where your heart is, your treasure will be”? Why do you think Jesus says the former rather than the latter?
Next week (Oct. 5): Luke 12: 35-48 – A Call to Faithful Stewardship
