Luke 12:22–24

Luke 12:22-24

English Standard Version 

  Worry feels productive, right?  If we worry about every possible scenario, then when that situation happens, however unlikely it may be, we'll know what to do!

  A wise woman once told me that worry is negative prayer.  It's trying to wrest control of life away from God.  Rather than letting go of stressful things, it's holding onto them, believing that they're best in our own hands.  Worry is focusing on all the limitations, all the shortfalls, all the fears, rather than focusing our hearts on God's abundance, on his provision for us.  God cares for the ravens, so they have food to eat.  They still have to go and find it, but it's there.  The same is true for us -- God cares for us.  We still have to move, to work, to strive, but we are not forgotten by God.  

  So let your mind focus on the provision of God, rather than the things of fear.  When you're anxious and worried, find a Psalm.  Pray.  Hand that over to God, and let your times of anxiety be transformed into leaning into the Lord.

Luke 12:16–21

Luke 12:16-21 

English Standard Version 

  Can physical wealth provide ultimate security?

  Of course not.  It feels like it should... but only ultimate things can give ultimate security.  Only God can truly provide this.  This man believed that his wealth would give him peace.  It cannot do that.  

  Jesus isn't telling us not to plan.  I don't even think he's necessarily railing against wealth here.  He's opening our eyes to the lie that wealth is the only thing we need, and he's telling us that we're foolish if we don't first consider what it means to be rich towards God.  If our material wealth ends up well beyond what we had planned for, the opportunity is not to build bigger barns for the sake of having more, but rather to look outward.  If we have everything we need, then what does more provide?  Only the illusion of security.  When we cling to God, we don't pursue more for the sake of more.  We recognize that our blessings are opportunities to be stewards, to think of how blessings run through our hands and into the lives of others.  We are blessed to be a blessing unto others, and to remember that true wealth is found only in God.

Luke 12:13–15

Luke 12:13-15 

English Standard Version 

  We don't hear many sermons about these teachings.  It's far easier to preach on sins that are easy to see and count.  Greed, though... that's pervasive.  It erodes us from the inside, leaving us dissatisfied and in a state of constant comparison.  We keep score in our possessions, in a way that's celebrated in society.  Any number of websites, magazines, and social media channels will celebrate covetousness.  We covet other houses, other lives, other things.  We'd just as soon not think about this as sin.

  But Jesus warns us against everything that corrupts, everything that separates us from God.  He has care for our souls, and so we have this warning.  When our minds think of things we want, hoping they'll bring fulfillment, they're pulling our hearts away from God, who is only one who can truly satisfy.

  What do you want most?  What does your life consist of?

  And how do we pray for the Holy Spirit to help us answer honestly, and then to help shift that answer so that we can say with integrity that we want more of God.

Luke 12:8–12

Luke 12:8-12 

English Standard Version 

  Have you ever felt pressured to hide your faith?  You're in good company -- the apostles certainly felt pressure.  Jesus was constantly opposed by the Pharisees, and after his ascension, the early church was heavily persecuted.  Jesus knew this would happen, which is why he includes a promise.  We don't have to be anxious about finding the right words to say -- the key is to remember that Jesus is sending the Holy Spirit to give us the words to say, to speak on our behalf, and our reward sits not in the hands of those with worldly power, but rather with the one who holds universal power.  The same power that carves the mountains is acknowledging you and holding you tightly.  So fear not.