Strive for the Kingdom
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.
“Do not worry about food or clothing – do not worry about your financial needs” – these words from Jesus seem completely out of touch with reality. Everywhere we turn we are invited to worry about the financial matters of our lives. In fact, money seems to be the first thing that we are to be concerned about.
Jesus’ point is two-fold. First, God knows our physical needs. Just as God knows that the birds need food and the flowers need sunshine – so also God knows that human beings need food and clothing. The birds are cared for – the flowers bloom – needs are provided for. Trust God, remembering that God has provided in the past. This is a key part of being able to trust God with the material things of life – remembering the ways God has provided in the past. The provision of God in our lives in the past gives us the ability to trust for the future.
The second point is that God is calling us to a more important role in life than simply providing ourselves with food and clothing. Instead, we are invited to put our energy into living towards God’s kingdom, to put our energy into growing our investments in the reign of God. The things of this world – the money of this world – is to be invested towards a bigger and greater truth – the work of God, the reign of God. God is bringing the kingdom and we are invited to live into that. In such a life we can hold loosely to the things of this world – using them towards to eternal values of the reign of God.
PRAYER:
God our provider, teach us to trust your provision for us is sure and certain. Show us who to invest our lives and our resources towards the greater purposes of your kingdom which is promised. We thank you that we can live our lives towards the greater purpose of your kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.