Luke 12:22-34 Life Security

# Life Security
## Luke 12:22-34

[Kelly Sikkema](https://unsplash.com/photos/SiOW0btU0zk "caption")

---

# Do I **worry** about my **future**?

>>>
+ some: finances, career, edu
+ others: health, parents, kids
+ outlook + **emotional** response
  + to **uncertainty** about future

******
[22](# "ref")
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](# "ref")
For life is more than food, 
and the body more than clothing.

[Luke 12:22-34 (ESV) (p.1/7)](# "ref")

******
[24](# "ref")
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!

[Luke 12:22-34 (ESV) (p.2/7)](# "ref")

******
[25](# "ref")
And which of you by being anxious 
can add a single hour to his span of life?

[26](# "ref")
If then you are not able to do 
as small a thing as that, 
why are you anxious about the rest?

[Luke 12:22-34 (ESV) (p.3/7)](# "ref")

******
[27](# "ref")
Consider the lilies, how they grow: 
they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, 
even Solomon in all his glory 
was not arrayed like one of these.

[28](# "ref")
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!

[Luke 12:22-34 (ESV) (p.4/7)](# "ref")

******
[29](# "ref")
And do not seek what you are to eat 
and what you are to drink, nor be worried.

[30](# "ref")
For all the nations of the world 
seek after these things, 
and your Father knows that you need them.

[Luke 12:22-34 (ESV) (p.5/7)](# "ref")

******
[31](# "ref")
Instead, seek his kingdom, 
and these things will be added to you.

[32](# "ref")
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's 
good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

[Luke 12:22-34 (ESV) (p.6/7)](# "ref")

******
[33](# "ref")
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](# "ref")
For where your treasure is, 
there will your heart be also.

[Luke 12:22-34 (ESV) (p.7/7)](# "ref")

---

## Luke 12:22-34
1. Anxiety [(v22-24)](# "ref")
1. Ability [(v25-28)](# "ref")
1. Aim [(v29-34)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **worry**, emotional response
  + seeking for **security**
+ inability to **provide** for self
  + **dependency** on God
+ **treasure**, priorities

---

[22](# "ref")
Do not be **anxious** about your life, 
what you will **eat**, 
nor about your body, what you will **put on**.

[23](# "ref")
For **life** is more than food, 
and the **body** more than clothing.

[Luke 12:22-23 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Gabby Orcutt](https://unsplash.com/photos/9mzGpUpqUpw "caption")

>>>
+ not that **life**/body not important
+ but **food** != life
  + **necessities** do not **define** you
+ remember v15, Jesus' warning abt **covetousness**:

---

One's **life** does not consist 
in the abundance of his **possessions**.

[Luke 12:15b (ESV)](# "ref")
[Vita Vilcina, Spain](https://unsplash.com/photos/KtOid0FLjqU "caption")

>>>
+ what does it mean to be **alive**?
  + **identity**: who God made you to be
+ not what you **own**
+ not being able to **provide** for self
+ not indulging selfish **desires**
  + to **play** + have fun

---

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!

[Luke 12:24 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Lancaster County, PA. Barth Bailey](https://unsplash.com/photos/p72K-AvJrbQ "caption")

>>>
+ two **examples**: food + clothing
  + **consider**: think deeply about
+ sow/reap: **annual** cycle of labour
+ barn: **savings** for the future
+ live only **day** to day
+ but God **provides** for necessities
  + e.g., daily **manna**:

---

In the wilderness He fed you **manna** 
which your fathers did not know,

that He might **humble** you 
and that He might **test** you, 
to do **good** for you in the end.

[Deuteronomy 8:16-17 (NASB) (p.1/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ only 1 **day**'s worth of food
+ sometimes God does not **allow** us to
  + **store** up much for the future
+ to **humble** us so we are not proud
  + or trust in own **power**

---

Otherwise, you may say in your heart, 
‘My **power** and the strength of my **hand** 
made me this **wealth**.’

[Deuteronomy 8:16-17 (NASB) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ to **test** the purity of our **faith**
  + do we **really** believe in God?
+ for our own **benefit**, good in the end
  + but not always seen **immediately**

---

# What do I **worry** about? What gives me **security**?

---

## Luke 12:22-34
1. Anxiety [(v22-24)](# "ref")
1. **Ability** [(v25-28)](# "ref")
1. Aim [(v29-34)](# "ref")

---

And which of you by being **anxious** 
can add a single **hour** to his span of life?

[26](# "ref")
If then you are not able to do 
as **small** a thing as that, 
why are you anxious about the **rest**?

[Luke 12:25-26 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Melitopol, Ukraine. Rodion Kutsaev](https://unsplash.com/photos/UIUgYu9bENU "caption")

>>>
+ **span** of life: age, maturity
  + from birth to **death**
+ **worry** / anxiety does no good:
  + split/**divided** attention
  + unable to **focus** on God's kingdom
+ **emotional** response in anxiety
  + **health**: consumed by diet / exercise
  + **safety**: check locks 10x each night
+ give self **busy work**
  + illusion of **control** over life
+ but ultimately, we are **powerless**
  + not even one **hour**
+ this **smallest** thing
  + don't worry about the **remainder**
+ God **provides** for our necessities
  + even more than the **birds**, flowers:

---

Consider the **lilies**, how they grow:

[Luke 12:27 (ESV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")
[Paweł Czerwiński](https://unsplash.com/photos/U5Bl72Brlhs "caption")

>>>
+ small field **flowers**

---

they neither **toil** nor spin, yet I tell you, 
even **Solomon** in all his glory 
was not arrayed like one of these.

[Luke 12:27 (ESV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ toil: **stress** / tiring of labour
  + spin: as wool/thread: **make**
+ not just that God **provides**
  + but provides **abundantly**
  + and **beautifully**

---

For you know how you ought to **imitate** us, 
because we were not **idle** 
when we were with you, 
[8](# "ref")
nor did we eat anyone's **bread** 
without paying for it,

[2 Thessalonians 3:7-8,10 (ESV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")
[Elaine Casap](https://unsplash.com/photos/qgHGDbbSNm8 "caption")

---

[8](# "ref")
but with **toil and labor** 
we worked **night and day**, 
that we might not be a **burden** to any of you

[10](# "ref")
If anyone is not willing to **work**, 
let him not **eat**.

[2 Thessalonians 3:7-8,10 (ESV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ v10 good for **teens**!
+ had the **right** to expect church to provide
  + was **serving** church in gospel
+ but did not **exercise** that right
+ in order to lead by **example**:
  + not **idle** / doing **busy work**

---

Are not five **sparrows** sold for two pennies? 
And not one of them is **forgotten** before God.

[7](# "ref")
Why, even the **hairs** of your head 
are all **numbered**.

**Fear** not; 
you are of more **value** than many sparrows.

[Luke 12:6-7 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **purpose** of eat healthy, exercise, rest?
  + to be **ready** for God's work
  + **not** to prolong **life**

---

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**!

[Luke 12:28 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Geran de Klerk, Gävle, Sweden](https://unsplash.com/photos/WJkc3xZjSXw "caption")

>>>
+ focus is not on **birds**/flowers, but
  + on compassion of our **Father**
+ and hence our **response** in faith

---

# Do I **trust** in my own **ability** to provide?

---

## Luke 12:22-34
1. Anxiety [(v22-24)](# "ref")
1. Ability [(v25-28)](# "ref")
1. **Aim** [(v29-34)](# "ref")

---

And do not **seek** what you are to eat 
and what you are to drink, nor be **worried**.

[Luke 12:29 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Alex Jones](https://unsplash.com/photos/p0W9Q9gei4g "caption")

>>>
+ seek: **search**, pursue, as for philosophical truth
  + worry: **suspended** in midair
+ **waiting** for life/finances to be **stable**
  + not about becoming **rich**, but
  + freedom from **worry** about necessities

---

For all the nations of the **world** 
seek after these things,

and your **Father knows** that you need them.

[Luke 12:30 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Geetanjal Khanna](https://unsplash.com/photos/8CwoHpZe3qE "caption")

>>>
+ human **nature**, the world pursues this
  + the **needs** are real: food, shelter, security
+ but our **Father** knows
+ so what **should** we focus on?

---

**Instead**, seek his **kingdom**, 
and these things will be added to you.

[Luke 12:31 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Iceland. Davide Cantelli](https://unsplash.com/photos/H3giJcTw__w "caption")

>>>
+ instead: **only**, just this one thing
+ seek: w/**intent**, pursue, strive
  + purpose to **discern**, find out for sure
  + as of philosophical inquiry
  + **investigate** to conclusion
+ **kingdom**: make Christ **king** in our hearts
  + **act** as servants of the High King
  + **proclaim** His kingship and authority
+ what is it we **fear**?
  + not being able to **provide** for ourselves?
  + or do we fear **God** foremost?

---

**Sell** your possessions, and **give** to the needy.

Provide yourselves with **moneybags** 
that do not grow **old**,

[Luke 12:33 (ESV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")
[Steve Johnson](https://unsplash.com/photos/0sPFjdcRhko "caption")

>>>
+ give **alms**: mercy
+ not a **scheme** to get you to 
  + **offer** more money to church!
+ thinking is still **focused** on money
+ by **giving**, we:
  + train our **reliance** on God's providence
  + learn to emulate His **mercy**

---

with a **treasure** in the heavens 
that does not **fail**,

where no **thief** approaches 
and no **moth** destroys.

[Luke 12:33 (ESV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")
[Steve Johnson](https://unsplash.com/photos/0sPFjdcRhko "caption")

>>>
+ **safest** place for our investment
+ worldly wealth is not **reliable**:
  + **external** threats (thieves)
  + **internal** loss of utility (decay)

---

Let the **lowly** brother boast in his **exaltation**, 
[10](# "ref")
and the **rich** in his **humiliation**,

because like a **flower** of the grass 
he will **pass away**.

[James 1:9-10 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Dominik Martin](https://unsplash.com/photos/YuVzPOBuuf0 "caption")

>>>
+ flowers are **beautiful** but don't last
+ we are **worth** much more than flowers
  + not **defined** by what you **own**
+ use the fleeting **riches** of this world
+ to **invest** in lasting treasure
+ rich **young man**: kept all **commandments**
  + **morally** irreproachable
  + but **missing** one important thing:

---

One thing you still **lack**. 
**Sell** all that you have and distribute to the **poor**, 
and you will have **treasure in heaven**; 
and come, **follow me**

[Luke 18:22 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Nikolay Svishchev-Paola, "Beggar with a Lyra", 1900](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Beggar_with_a_Lyra,_by_Svishchev-Paola_1900s.jpg "caption")

>>>
+ learn **dependence** on God
+ show **mercy** to others as God has to us
+ let go of earthly **treasure**
  + in order to gain **heavenly** treasure
+ **follow** in Christ's footsteps

---

“**Fear** not, little **flock**, 
for it is your **Father's** good pleasure 
to give you the **kingdom**.

[Luke 12:32 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Gemma Evans](https://unsplash.com/photos/nph59r9hkVg "caption")

>>>
+ little flock: term of **affection**
  + we are **small**, powerless
  + but our **powerful** Shepherd guides us
+ and has a **promise** of future hope
  + **crown** of life to those who've **persevered**
  + **strength** / resilience in **this** life:

---

In everything **commending** ourselves as **servants** of God

as **sorrowful** yet always **rejoicing**, 
as **poor** yet making many **rich**, 
as having **nothing** yet possessing **all** things

[2 Corinthians 6:4,10 (NASB)](# "ref")
[Raphael, "St. Paul Preaching in Athens", 1515](http://www.the-athenaeum.org/art/detail.php?ID=34558 "caption")

>>>
+ focus on **God** as our Master
+ not afraid to put ourselves **out** there
  + display our own **frailty**
+ to highlight God's abundant **provision**

---

For where your **treasure** is, 
there will your **heart** be also.

[Luke 12:34 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Anas Belmadani](https://unsplash.com/photos/6yZ5CWMnDNw "caption")

>>>
+ treasure: act of **storing** up
  + walk **seashore**: collect pretty **stones** 
+ as we **walk** through life,
  + are we **seeking** opportunity to show **mercy**?

---

# Where is my **treasure**? What is **precious** to me?

---

**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.

[Luke 12:33-34 (ESV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")

---

For where your **treasure** is, 
there will your **heart** be also.

[Luke 12:33-34 (ESV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

---