August 26, 2016
GOD'S T.L.C.
Luke 12:13–34
Barbara Stoerner
Central Truth
God loves and has compassion for what He created, from nature to human life, and He meets the needs of His creation. Jesus encourages the disciples with this message and shows them that living is about more than just what they have. Worrying is worthless.
Key Verse | Luke 12:32
"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32)
Luke 12:13–34
The Parable of the Rich Fool
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
Do Not Be Anxious
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? 1 12:25 Or a single cubit to his stature; a cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters 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, 2 12:27 Some manuscripts Consider the lilies; they neither spin nor weave 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 3 12:31 Some manuscripts God's 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.
Dive Deeper | Luke 12:13–34
Lately, I've noticed that when things aren't happening according to my plans, I'm more inclined to buy the lie that God doesn't care about me—that I'm being punished, so He's withholding good from me and leaving me behind. This can open the floodgates of fear and worry, leaving me struggling to stay afloat.
In this section of Scripture, Jesus uses the example of a rich young man to show that life is about more than what we have. Jesus then points to natural life to show God's care for ravens, the least popular of birds during this time. He also gives a practical reason to abstain from worry: it adds absolutely nothing to your life. Then, He describes God's ability to make things beautiful, even short-lived grass and lilies. The passage reminds us that worry is a wasted emotional investment that earns nothing and that God will meet our basic needs, just like He does for the birds and flowers.
Jesus wraps all of this up by addressing the disciples directly using a term for a group of sheep—"little flock" (verse 32). He then shares the best message: God cares for us. A LOT! He purposely refers to His followers as animals that are easily frightened, fragile, and in need of a strong, caring leader to guide the way and provide for their needs. Jesus assures that He will do just that.
Isaiah 55:8 says, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord." Scripture also tell us, "No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly." (Psalm 84:11b)
These verses remind us that what we see as good might not be God's best for us. And when things look less than ideal or even hopeless, let us remember that He is a very good and gracious Father, and He cares deeply for us, His children.
Be reminded of what He has already done for you and take heart, little flock, because He's promised us the Kingdom, which is very, very good!
Discussion Questions
1. When are you most likely to believe that God doesn't care? What Scripture can you use to combat those feelings and remind yourself of Truth?
2. If the opposite of worry is trust, in what areas of your life can you trust Him more?
3. What, if any, changes do you need to make to value others through giving and service, rather than valuing yourself more through control and hoarding of resources?