Thursday 7 April, 2016
Luke 12:22-34
22 He 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. 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 can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry 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 clothed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. 30 For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Where is your ‘treasure’?
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
What is at the centre of your being?
What do you value above everything else?
What do you really work for?
Modern answers to these questions are typically things like: A healthy, fit body. Financial Security. Cool stuff. Fine Food – Expensive wine. Lifestyle…
This striking passage of scripture hits me with the almost mocking tone of Jesus as he demolishes the edifice of ‘good things’ that “the pagan world runs after” (v30) Treasures prioritised by ‘the world’ come cheap in God’s kingdom – not that they are worth nothing – rather, God hands out the treasures of beauty, food, drink, clothing, security, life itself(!) to creation without even a second thought. God cares for me & you. Locating the Kingdom of God that Jesus endorses in place of the typical treasures is not as difficult as it might first seem – Jesus is at the centre of the Kingdom, seek him, follow him, copy him, preach him, love him. Answering the questions posed at the beginning of this devotion is now very straight forward … ‘Jesus’
Lord, be my Lord. Thank you for taking my worries. Thank you for promising your provision in every circumstance. Thank you I needn’t fear any thing in life – you have my heart, you are my treasure – Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, amen.
Written by Sam Stewart
Thank you Sam. A good and timely reminder at a period where I have some difficult business decisions to make. God will provide. “Do not be afraid little flock” He states.Guide me Father with Your wisdom
Sam, great passage and one of my favourites. We are often pre-occupied with life rather than putting God at the centre. I often recall to myself v22 “do not worry about your life”. It helps me put life into perspective rather than letting the world dictate how my life and those around me are to be managed.
I was struck by the words “Instead strive for his Kingdom and these things will be given to you as well.” v31. Striving for his kingdom seems to demand effort and probably a lot of it!If it is important to us we will put in the effort, as our heart longs to see his kingdom here on earth. The next days reading helps us see what this looks like. Thanks Sam