Lucas 12
William Barclay · Citado em PreceptAustin
Lucas 12
Barclay - God's care is the most detailed of all. To God we are never lost in the crowd. Matthew says, 'Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?' (Matthew 10:29). Here Luke says, 'Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?' If you were prepared to pay the extra penny you got not four, but five sparrows. One was flung into the bargain as having no value at all. Not even the sparrow thrown into the bargain without real value is forgotten before God.
Lucas 12
Barclay - The very hairs of our head are numbered. It has been computed that a blond person has about 145,000 hairs; a dark-haired person, 120,000; and a person with red hair, 90,000! The Jews were so impressed with the individual care of God that they said that every blade of grass had its guardian angel. None of us needs to fear for each can say, 'God cares for me.' Guzik suggests that "Those who are persecuted are tempted to give in to the feeling that they are worthless and no one cares for them. Yet a loving God in heaven values each one."
Lucas 12
Barclay - Why is that the unforgivable sin? Because in such a state repentance is impossible. If people do not even realize that they are sinning, if goodness no longer makes any appeal to them, they cannot repent. God has not shut them out; by their repeated refusals they have shut themselves out. That means that the very people who can never have committed unforgivable sins are those who fear that they have, for once people have committed it, they are so dead to God that they are conscious of no sin at all. (Luke 12 Commentary) MacArthur Study Bible . - This was not a sin of ignorance, but a deliberate, willful, settled hostility toward Christ—exemplified by the Pharisees in Matthew 12, who attributed to Satan the work of Christ (cf. Lk 11:15). (See context NKJV, MacArthur Study Bible or borrow for one hour The MacArthur study Bible). Warren
Lucas 12
Barclay - “It was not the humiliation which early Christians dreaded, not even the cruel pain and the agony. But many of them feared that their own unskilfulness in words and defence might injure rather than commend the truth. It is the promise of God that when a man is on trial for his faith, the words will come to him.”
Lucas 12
Barclay points out that this man’s “whole attitude was the very reverse of Christianity. Instead of denying himself he aggressively affirmed himself; instead of finding his happiness in giving he tried to conserve it by keeping.” His goal was to enjoy life, but in seeking his life, he lost it. What was wrong was the man’s focus. He had the world’s perspective, not God’s perspective. God’s perspective is not that riches are inherently wrong. Money can be a great good if it is used in line with God’s perspective. There are several wealthy men in the Bible, such as Job, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph who enjoyed God’s blessing and were godly men. But, to a man, they were generous men who lived in light of eternity. As Paul tells Timothy, "Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed."(1 Tim. 6:17-19). So if we want to be rich toward God, we need to be careful to distinguish between the world’s perspective and God’s perspective. We are bombarded daily with the world’s perspective, which invariably is focused on this life. God’s perspective always takes into account the life to come. 3. To invest your life successfully, deposit it with Jesus Christ and spend it for His kingdom. You deposit your life and all that you have into the Bank of Heaven. As you withdraw from the account, you consider God’s purpose through His Son, to be glorified in all the earth when every knee shall bow before Jesus. In other words, you “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matt. 6:33). This investment begins by depositing your life with Jesus Christ, which means, entrusting your eternal destiny to Him. All of the good works that you try to do for God will not begin to pay the debt of your sin when you stand before Him. Jesus Christ paid that debt. On the cross, He cried out, “It is finished” (John 19:30). The Greek word means, “paid in full.” The wages of sin is death, and Jesus paid that price for you if you will put your trust in Him. When you stand before God and He asks, “What is in your account in the Bank of Heaven?” the only answer that will suffice is, “The blood of Your Son Jesus has paid for all my sins.” Every investment requires trust, including the depositing of your life with Jesus Christ. When you put your money into the bank, you trust the officers and personnel of that bank to keep it safe for you. You may say, “Yes, but my money is insured by the Federal government.” So, you trust an institution that is trillions of dollars in debt and is run by the likes of Bill Clinton? If you can trust the U.S. government with your money, surely you can trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior! Then, to be rich with God, you must expend what God has given you in line with His kingdom purposes. If you had come into a lot of money that you planned to invest, presumably you would take some time, thought, and effort to invest it wisely. You may even pay a financial counselor to give you some insights on where to put that money. Yet, while most of us are quite careful about investing money for our own purposes, we’re pretty sloppy when it comes to investing in light of God’s kingdom purposes. But, as the parable of the talents shows, we need to invest what God has entrusted to us in such a way that it will bring a good return in light of His purpose of being glorified among the nations. Does this mean that we can’t spend any money on ourselves? Does it mean that we should live at a poverty level, drive old cars, only buy used clothes, and never spend money for personal enjoyment or pleasure? I doubt if many are tempted to go to those extremes, but, no, that’s not what it means. God has blessed us with many things and it is legitimate to enjoy those blessings with thankful hearts. Also, it is prudent and in line with Scripture to provide in a reasonable manner for our future needs through saving and investing (Prov. 6:6-11). But, at the same time I think that most Christians need to think much more carefully about the question, “Am I really seeking first God’s kingdom?” Am I constantly thinking of the stewardship of my life and money in light of what God is doing? Or, could the deceitfulness of riches be getting a subtle stronghold on my life? We expect missionaries to live modestly. We would be bothered if we heard that a missionary we were supporting was getting rich. And, yet, we aren’t bothered if we get rich and live lavishly. Missions strategist Ralph Winter argues that all Christians should live a missionary lifestyle and give the rest to the Lord’s work. We all should be as committed to the Great Commission as missionaries are, even if God has not called us to go to another culture. After all, Jesus didn’t say, “All you missionaries should seek first God’s kingdom, but the rest of you can just give a tenth, spend the rest on yourselves, and live as you please.” Probably, most of us need to give more serious time, thought, and effort to the matter of our stewardship in light of God’s kingdom priority. Conclusion To be really rich, Jesus says that we must be rich toward God by laying up treasure in heaven. Paul says that we do that when we are rich in good works, generous, and ready to share. We should think of ourselves standing before God, giving an account of what He has entrusted to us. Will we be really rich on that day? At the end of the movie, “Schindler’s List,” the war is over and Mr. Schindler is leaving the many Jews whom he saved by employing them in his munitions factory. He has spent his entire personal fortune to bribe German officials in order to save these people from the death chambers. But as he looks at them, he breaks down weeping and laments, “I could have done more.” They try to console him, but he points to his nice car and says, “I could have sold it and save a few more lives.” He pulls out an expensive fountain pen and a watch and says, “These could have been sold to save another life.” Schindler was not a Christian and he was not saving souls for eternity. Perhaps the man was a bit too compulsive about his mission. But, still, when we think of our Savior’s commission, to preach the gospel to every creature, we all need to ask ourselves, “Am I doing enough?” Am I laying up treasure for myself, or am I getting really rich, rich toward God, by laying up treasures in heaven? Discussion Questions 1. Is it wrong to seek to improve my financial condition? What about wanting to get rich? Give biblical support. 2. How much is enough? At what point do we violate Jesus’ point about not laying up treasure for ourselves? 3. How can we be on guard against all greed? Is all luxury wrong? How do we define luxury in light of the world’s poor? 4. Are things like insurance and investments opposed to trusting in God and seeking first His kingdom? Give biblical support. (How To Be Really Rich ) Joseph Stowell - THE MENACE OF MORE - But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. —1 Timothy 6:8 I recently picked up a paper and read about the marketing of a new cigarette from the R. J. Reynolds Company. “Dakota” is intended to appeal to young “virile females” who like to run with their boyfriends and do what the guys are doing. The tobacco industry knows that smoking is addictive and deadly. Yet when their research shows that these young women are especially prone to start smoking, they are like predators targeting their prey for the benefit of their profit margin. This is only one example of our greed-driven culture. Yet in honesty we must admit that the same tendencies often display themselves among those of us who claim to belong to another kingdom. Think of how often our greed robs from eternity. We spend so much of our time and money accumulating the things that “moth and rust destroy” (Mt 6:19, cf Lk 12:33-note) that we have few resources and little time left to invest in that which lasts forever. Think of how greed tarnishes the testimony of Christ when we compromise integrity and biblical values to cut a less-than-honorable deal. Or of how greed shreds families when parents devote their best energies to dreams of an extra car, a nicer home, or a better vacation—leaving little strength for rearing children in “the training and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4). Greed contradicts love. It has no regard for values. It gobbles up all that is ultimately precious in life. No wonder Christ told us, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). It’s not easy to find contentment in a world in the grip of greed. But we can start by remembering how much we already possess in Christ, whom to have is life abundant. With that truth firmly in hand, we can rid our lives of the love of money and can learn to be content (Hebrews 13:5). And when we are content, we are freed to place loving and caring for Christ, His kingdom, and others above personal gain. May we always treasure that “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). Let contentment liberate your heart! (Strength for the Journey) ILLUSTRATION OF NAZI GREED - The greed of Nazi Germany troubled not only the families of Germany, but the entire world that was thrown into a world war. The Nazi leadership hated the Jews, but they loved their gold and possessions. The Germans used the "death camps" to strip the Jewish people of their valuables. They accumulated huge amounts of furs, watches, clothing, jewelry, and cash before their victims had their appointments in the gas chambers. While the dead bodies were still warm, they would extract the gold from their teeth. They would then use blow torches to melt the gold and pour it into molds. As much as 110 pounds of gold were extracted every day. The Germans found that it was easier to get the gold and dispose of the bodies if they would cremate the bodies in ovens and that is what they did. Goldberg's book, The Complete Book of Greed (you can borrow this book - fascinating reading!), states that in the closing days of the war, the Nazis were intent on taking this stolen wealth with them. In 1945, Martin Bormann, Hitler's deputy, utilized a German submarine operation to transport the booty taken at the death camps to the country of Argentina. The Nazis' own records reveal that six U-boats carried across the Atlantic Ocean 550,000 ounces of gold, 3,500 ounces of platinum, and 4,638 carats of diamonds, plus works of art, gold marks, British pounds, American dollars, and Swiss francs amounting to millions of dollars. At $1100 an ounce, the value of the gold today would be worth 605 billion dollars. At $1200 an ounce the platinum would be worth today over four billion dollars. (ED: POSTSCRIPT - Borman never escaped from Germany to enjoy his large largess! A perfect portrait of the man in Jesus' parable!) Graffiti —Luke 12:15 Pastor and evangelist E. V. Hill went home to be with his Lord and Savior on February 25, 2003. He was much sought after as a conference speaker, and few have gained the attention and respect of people from all levels of society as he did. Many years ago, Pastor Hill was invited to speak in a suburban church of a large southern city in the United States. In the introduction to his message, Pastor Hill commented on the difference between the affluent suburb and the poor urban area where he ministered. “I know what’s missing,” he said. “You folks don’t have any graffiti anywhere. I’d like to volunteer to provide some for you. I’ll get a bucket of paint and walk through your neighborhood, writing this one word on your million-dollar homes and expensive European cars: temporary. That’s it—temporary. None of it will last.” The riches of this world are vain, They vanish in a day; But sweet the treasures of God's love— They never pass away. —Bosch The real measure of our wealth is what will be ours in eternity. The Scenery Or The Play—Luke 12:15 Beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. Early in Moss Hart’s career as a Broadway playwright, he tried desperately to overhaul the dull third act of an ailing play. After a dozen agonizing rewrites, he decided his favorite scene, along with its elaborate and expensive set, had to go. The scenery had captured the plot and was holding the dialog hostage. No longer bound by the overpowering set, Hart rewrote with a new freedom and flexibility. The third act came to life, and Once In A Lifetime became the biggest hit of 1930. Looking back, Hart said, “A play can be blackmailed by its scenery more often than anyone connected with it is likely to realize.” His words cause me to reconsider the truth so powerfully expressed by Jesus: “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Lk. 12:15). “Watch out,” I hear Jesus saying, as I set the stage of my life with things I consider essential. “Be on guard, or the things you own will begin to own you.” Lord, help us always realize That we'd have nothing without You, And may we ever put You first In everything we plan to do. —Sper You're in trouble when the things you own begin to own you. THE GOOD LIFE - Driving down the highway in Houston, I passed a billboard with large letters that announced “THE GOOD LIFE!” I couldn’t wait to get closer to read the small print, which explained that the “good life” was about buying a lakefront home starting at $300,000. Which made me wonder if some unhappy families might live in those homes, with kids who never see their parents, or couples who, though living on the lake, wish they weren’t even living together. Luke 12 came to mind as I remembered the story of the man who asked Jesus to tell his brother to divide the inheritance with him. That was the wrong thing to ask Jesus! He replied with a warning, “Beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (v.15). He then went on to tell the story of an extremely rich man who, from God’s point of view, was a fool—not because he was successfully wealthy but because he was not rich toward God. O Lord, help us to be content, Whatever we possess; Protect us from the foolish lie That “more” brings happiness. —Sper The “good life” is found in the richness of God. Don’t Get Greedy—Luke 12:15 One’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. Philip Parham tells the story of a rich industrialist who was disturbed to find a fisherman sitting lazily beside his boat. “Why aren’t you out there fishing?” he asked. “Because I’ve caught enough fish for today,” said the fisherman. “Why don’t you catch more fish than you need?” the rich man asked. “What would I do with them?” “You could earn more money,” came the impatient reply, “and buy a better boat so you could go deeper and catch more fish. You could purchase nylon nets, catch even more fish, and make more money. Soon you’d have a fleet of boats and be rich like me.” The fisherman asked, “Then what would I do?” “You could sit down and enjoy life,” said the industrialist. “What do you think I’m doing now?” the fisherman replied as he looked placidly out to sea. We chuckle. Yet that story highlights an important truth. If we live only to accumulate material wealth, we’ll never get enough. We’ll work more and more frantically—until we collapse! Once my life was full of effort, Now ’tis full of joy and zest; Since I took His yoke upon me, Jesus gives to me His rest. —Simpson Some people are so busy preparing for a rainy day that they miss God’s sunshine. Beware of Covetousness!—Luke 12:15 Covetousness is one of those overstuffed words in our religious vocabulary that has lost its cutting edge. Many don’t take it seriously. Some even suspect that when God was putting together the Ten Commandments He had nine good solid ones, but then to round out the list threw in one about coveting (Ex. 20:17). Jesus gave a warning about covetousness to a man who interrupted Him in the middle of His sermon. The man wanted Jesus to settle a dispute between him and his brother. Evidently their father had died, and this son felt he was not getting his fair share of what the father had left behind. The inheritance had become an obsession to this man. It consumed him. As he stood in the presence of Jesus Christ and listened to His peerless preaching, he did not hear the liberating words the Savior had been speaking. When we would covet more and more Of this world’s wealth—of earthly store, Help us, O Lord, to look above And draw upon Your endless love. —DJD You cannot covet and be happy at the same time. More, More, More —Luke 12:15 Some people love to shop. They have a perpetual desire to buy, buy, buy. The craze to find the latest deal is worldwide. There are huge shopping malls in China, Saudi Arabia, Canada, the Philippines, the United States, and around the world. A rise in store purchases and online buying show that buying is a global phenomenon. Shopping can be fun. Certainly, there is nothing wrong with trying to find a real deal and to enjoy the things God has given to us. But when we become preoccupied with obtaining material goods, we lose focus. Jesus challenged His listeners with these words: “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15). He went on to tell a parable about a man “who lays up treasure for himself,” but is not concerned about his relationship with God (v.21). Lord, our hearts often run after “stuff.” Teach us not to be obsessed with collecting more and more material goods. May we instead learn what it means to be “rich” toward You. To be rich in God is far better than to be rich in goods. Luke 12:16 And He told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man was very productive. KJV Luke 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: The land Ge 26:12-14; 41:47-49; Job 12:6; Ps 73:3,12; Hosea 2:8; Mt 5:45; Acts 14:17 Luke 12 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 12:13-21 How To Be Really Rich - Steven Cole Luke 12:13-21 The Rich Fool - John MacArthur HOW TO BE REALLY RICH OR REALLY POOR! Darrell Bock - Jesus tells a parable that shows the danger of placing one’s trust in possessions. Part of the power of this parable is that much in the man’s response seems so natural. However, his response is flawed in its perspective. The unit fits into the section’s general thrust that many obstacles lie in front of disciples. The previous passage warned about fearing humans over God. Now another major danger is raised: excessive attachment to wealth. The warnings given in Luke 12 parallel the warnings offered in the parable of the soils, for the obstacles there included trials and riches (Lk 8:4–15; also Lk 16:19–31; 18:18–30). As a result of issues raised here, Jesus will go on to address the need to trust God (12:22–34), something true both in the midst of persecution and as one seeks life’s provision. (Luke 9:51-24:53 (Baker Exegetical Commentary ) (You can borrow Bock's IVP Commentary on Luke - click Luke) And He told them a parable (parabole) - Jesus drives home His point about greed by presenting them a parable dealing with greed, using the picture of a rich farmer with an abundant harvest.
Lucas 12
Barclay - Jesus had something to say to those who had few possessions. In all this passage the thought which Jesus forbids is anxious thought or worry. Jesus never ordered any man to live in a shiftless, thriftless, reckless way. What he did tell a man was to do his best and then leave the rest to God. About your life - Or "about your soul" Life is the Greek word psuche which Mattoon says is "comprehensive term that encompasses all of a person's entire being, which include his physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Jesus is referring to life in its fullest possible sense. Absolutely nothing in any aspect of our lives, internal or external, justifies our worry and anxiousness when we have the Lord in our heart." Mattoon adds that "This word was used in classical Greek to describe a condition of being raised up or suspended in air, like a person dangling from a rope tied to a tree. This word was used to describe a person who felt totally insecure and swinging out of control. God's people are not to be gripped by insecurity." (Merimnao) means "to divide, to cut into pieces, to divide into parties, to be pulled in different directions, or be split into factions." This is what worry does to a person. Our goals and desires pull us in one direction and our worries and fears pull us in another. Worry distracts people and cuts them into emotional pieces, like a chef slicing away at a cucumber. Did you know that people have done studies to try to determine the most dangerous day of the week for a heart attack? What day of the week is considered the most dangerous for an attack? Research has found that the most dangerous day for heart attacks is Monday. When a person worries, their peace of mind and ability to focus on the right things is chopped up. Instead of keeping their eyes on the Lord, they focus on things that cannot satisfy. In fact, the average person crucifies himself between two thieves: 1) the regrets of yesterday, 2) the worries of tomorrow. Let me say here that Jesus is not forbidding proper attention to these material needs but is forbidding improper attention. It is not ordinary, prudent foresight that Jesus forbids in this verse. Our Lord is not advocating a shiftless, thriftless, reckless, thoughtless, improvident, lazy attitude to life. He is forbidding a care-worn, worried fear, which takes all the joy out of life. He is not forbidding foresight but He is forbidding foreboding or worry. Christ is not teaching here that we are not to think about and take proper action regarding food and clothes. It is the inordinate, consuming concern about these things that is forbidden. We must eat to live and we certainly need to be clothed, but it is possible to get so anxious, so consumed and fretful about these things that we take our eyes, attention, and interests off the more important matter of our spiritual needs and relationship with the Lord (Rod Mattoon - Treasures from Luke) Related Resource: Anxiety-Worry-Quotes, Devotionals & Illustrations Worry has a fascinating etymology summarized below Worrying may shorten one's life, but not as quickly as it once did. The ancestor of our word, Old English wyrgan, meant “to strangle.” (Ed note: Isn't this what worry does to our joy?) Its Middle English descendant, worien, kept this sense and developed the new sense “to grasp by the throat with the teeth and lacerate” or “to kill or injure by biting and shaking.” This is the way wolves or dogs might attack sheep, for example. In the 16th century worry began to be used in the sense “to harass, as by rough treatment or attack,” or “to assault verbally,” and in the 17th century the word took on the sense “to bother, distress, or persecute.” It was a small step from this sense to the main modern senses “to cause to feel anxious or distressed” and “to feel troubled or uneasy,” first recorded in the 19th century. (American Heritage Dictionary) Worry... ...gives a small thing a big shadow ...is the interest we pay on tomorrow's troubles. ...over tomorrow pulls shadows over today's sunshine. ...is like a rocking chair; it will give you something to do, but it won't get you anywhere. ...is an indication that we think God cannot look after us. (O. Chambers) ...is putting question marks where God has put periods. (J R Rice) ...is the interest we pay on tomorrow’s troubles. (E S Jones) ...is an intrusion into God's providence. (J Haggai) ...is a guest admitted which quickly turns to master. ... never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its strength (A J Cronin) ... is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble (G W Lyon) ...is practical atheism and an affront to God (R. H. Mounce) June Hunt writes that... Worry shifts the focus of attention from the all sufficient power of Christ (cp 2Co 12:9-note) to your human insufficiency and insecurity (cp 2Co 3:5, 6). Ultimately, worry can undermine your Christian witness by presenting God as impotent and unworthy of praise.... A specific characteristic of worry is a negative focus on the future. If you are a worrier, you are spending time speculating on what may or may not happen and then fearing the worst. (Biblical Counseling Keys - Worry: The Joy Stealer) Quotes on Worry: Worry is a small trickle of fear that meanders through the mind until it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained. Winston Churchill said: Worry is an emotional spasm which occurs when the mind catches hold of something and will not let it go. A church sign said: Worry is the darkroom where negatives are developed. George Washington reportedly said: Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble. Worry is today’s mice nibbling on tomorrow’s cheese. Worry is a complete cycle of inefficient thought revolving around a pivot of fear. The American physician, Charles Mayo, called worry the disease of doubt. He said it affects the circulation, the heart, the glands, the whole nervous system. I have never known a man who died from overwork, but many who have died from doubt. But the great Christian leader, George Müller, knew the antidote: Many times when I could have gone insane from worry, I was at peace because my soul believed the truth of God’s promises. Ray Pritchard writes that Worry is excessive concern over the affairs of life. The key obviously is the word "excessive." Worry happens when you are so concerned about the problems of life that you can think of nothing else. It is an all-consuming feeling of uncertainty and fear. And it is a sin. Worry is a sin for two reasons: First, because it displaces God in your life. When you commit the sin of worry, you are living as though God did not exist. And you are living as though you alone can solve your problems. Second, because it distracts you from the things that really matter in life. As long as you are worrying, you can't do anything else. You are strangled by worry. But how can we tell when the legitimate concerns of life have become sinful worries? Here are three practical guidelines. You are probably well into worry... 1. When the thing you are concerned about is the first thing you think about in the morning and the last thing you think about at night. 2. When you find yourself thinking about it during every spare moment. 3. When you find yourself bringing it up in every conversation you have. Seen in that light, most of us worry a lot more than we would like to admit! (Three Things Not To Worry About ) (Bolding added) Someone has written that worry is a small trickle of fear that meanders through the mind until it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained. Illustration of how worry affects one's sleep... Today if you visit Thomas Carlyle’s famous home in London, they will show you an almost soundproof chamber that Carlyle had built so the noise of the street could be shut out and he could work in silence. One of his neighbors, however, kept a rooster that several times in the night and in the early morning gave way to vigorous self-expression. When Carlyle protested to the owner of the rooster, the man pointed out to him that the rooster crowed only three times in the night, and that after all could not be such a terrible annoyance. “But,” Carlyle said to him, “if you only knew what I suffer waiting for that rooster to crow!” (Clarence Macartney, Macartney’s Illustrations Nashville: Abingdon, 1945) Worry and anxiety is the plague of our modern age as observed by Time magazine (in 1961) which said... Not merely the black statistics of murder, suicide, alcoholism, and divorce betray anxiety … but almost any innocent everyday act: the limp or overhearty handshake, the second pack of cigarettes or the third martini, the forgotten appointment, the stammer in mid-sentence, the wasted hour before the TV set, the spanked child, the new car unpaid for. (Time Magazine, March 31, 1961) Mattoon - It is interesting to note that the cares of this world, or worries, "choke" the Word. In fact, the word "worry" originally meant "to choke." The English word "worry" comes from a German word wurgjan which produced the word wugen, which means "to choke, strangle, seize by the throat with the teeth." Like a lion that suffocates its prey by clamping its teeth on its throat, worry goes for our throat, too. It will destroy us, if we do not conquer it. Beloved, God wants us to trust Him to take care of us and to be content with what we already have in our lives lest we be strangled and choked by our worries. Worry is a kind of mental and emotional strangulation, which probably causes more mental and physical afflictions than any other single cause. It has been reported that a dense fog extensive enough to cover seven city blocks, a hundred-feet deep, is composed of less than one glass of water that is divided into millions of droplets. In the right form, a few gallons of water can cripple a large city. In a similar way, the substance of worry is almost always small compared to the size it forms in our minds and the damage it does in our lives. Someone put it this way, "Worry is a thin stream of fear that trickles through the mind, which, if encouraged, will cut a channel so wide that all other thoughts will be drained out." Yes, worry is draining and distracting. It will flush the joy out of your life. Because of its importance, we are consumed with the need for food and clothing. Taking care of the body has always been a common obsession with men. Even when we are not starving, thirsty, or naked, we still give an inordinate amount of attention to our bodies.(Rod Mattoon - Treasures from Luke) ILLUSTRATION - We spend too much time worrying about things such as clothes, food, health, money and we tend to ignore things with eternal significance. Worry will cause a person to not relax and be at rest. For example, Frank Sinatra's daughter Tina recalls her father's unceasing drive to succeed and make money, even when his health was at risk. She278 said that he constantly worried about money and getting more of it. Here is what she shared: His health was in tatters and his life mired in financial wrangles, but my father refused to stop giving concerts. "I've just got to earn more money," he said. His performances, sad to say, were becoming more and more uneven. Uncertain of his memory, he became dependent on TelePrompters. When I saw him at Desert Inn in Las Vegas, he struggled through the show and felt so sick at the end that he needed oxygen from a tank that he kept on hand. At another show he forgot the lyrics to songs he had sung a thousand times. I couldn't bear to see Dad struggle. I remembered all the times he repeated the old boxing maxim "You gotta get out before you hit the mat." He wanted to retire at the top of his game, and I always thought he would know when his time came, but pushing 80, he lost track of when to quit. After seeing one too many of these fiascos, I told him, "Pop, you can stop now; you don't have to stay on the road." With a stricken expression he said, "No, I've got to earn more money. I have to make sure everyone is taken care of." Unfortunately, since his death, there have been constant family wrangles over his fortune. (Rod Mattoon - Treasures from Luke) Gary Inrig - Luke makes it very clear that this section is addressed not to the crowd but to the disciples. There is an implication here that worry is one of the besetting sins of Christ-followers. The reason is not hard to discover. The terms of discipleship are demanding. To obey the call is to trust Christ completely, but what are the implications of that obedience? Financial questions also loom large. If I say good-bye to all my possessions, will the Lord really meet my needs? My head assures me that He will; my heart is not quite so certain. “An anxious heart weighs a man down” (Proverbs 12:25). Physically, this is so. As someone has observed, people get ulcers not so much from what they eat as from what eats them. Anxiety also steals emotional peace and removes spiritual assurance. Worry is not the presence of appropriate concern for life’s responsibilities. Rather, it is undue care, exaggerated concern. Although the Lord illustrates His words by making a comparison to birds who work but neither worry nor plan, He is not asking us to live on the level of the birds. The people to whom the Lord is speaking know what it is to scramble for life’s necessities. Life was hard in biblical Palestine, roughly equivalent to peasant life in a Third World country today. The needs of life did not fall into their hands accidently, nor were they delivered by a benevolent government. The old King James translation, “Take no thought for your life,” seriously misrepresents the verb the Lord uses. He is not calling for thoughtlessness or the absence of appropriate concern. The sense of the word is beautifully illustrated in the complaint of Martha to Jesus about her sister Mary’s lack of assistance. Martha, we read, “was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made” (Luke 10:40). She was totally unable to enjoy the Lord’s presence because her mind was divided by other responsibilities. (The Greek word for worry literally means “to divide the mind.” The Latin root of our word anxiety is angere, “to choke, be in distress.”) So Jesus’ words to her are “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things.” Anxiety is the emotional distraction and distress that comes from allowing the duties and the unknowns of life to absorb and control us. Telling us not to worry isn’t very helpful. People who tell us that usually seem either unrealistic, uninformed, or patronizing. The Lord forces us to think about why we are not to worry. First, He tells us that worry is foolish (Lk 12:22-24). It is falling into the folly of the rich fool who believed that his life consisted of his possessions. But life is more than food and clothes, and God has promised us that He will care for us, much more so than He does for His creatures, the birds. To worry is foolishly to forget who we are—God’s valued children, and who He is—our loving Father. Second, worry is futile (Lk 12:25-28). Worry can shorten life, but it can’t lengthen it—and God who gives beauty to the fields will not strip us bare. Anxiety denies the care of God, and all to no effect. So the alternative is not to be “care-less” but “trust-full.” A little bit of reflection helps us to recognize that most worry is about things that can’t be changed (the past), things that can’t be controlled (the present), or things that might not happen (the future). How much better to entrust ourselves to our God! Third, worry is faithless (Lk 12:29-31). To be absorbed with physical and personal needs is ultimately to be captured by unbelief. If the gospel is really true, our lives should be different qualitatively from the lives of pagans. In his book Run Today’s Race, Oswald Chambers observes that “all of our fret and worry is caused by calculating without God.” Worry is the product of an inadequate understanding of our Father. He is the One who knows, cares, and acts. The way we look at God determines the way we will look at life, and this will determine what we worry about. Our great need is to worry about the right thing. What is that? “Seek his kingdom.” We do not refrain from worrying. We replace concern about secondary things with concern about the primary thing. Only His kingdom is worthy of our ultimate concern. The Siamese twin of anxiety is fear, and the Lord addresses fear in Lk 12:32-34. He calls us to take drastic action with our financial resources and personal possessions. We are not to grasp them or trust them. We are rather to dispose of them by investing them eternally. In fact, the only way we can truly protect our treasures is to invest them in heaven. Our hearts follow our treasure, and if our treasure is in heaven, so will our hearts be. As David Gooding writes, “Heaven is scarcely a reality to a man who is not prepared to invest hard cash in it and in its interests; but by that same token it becomes more of a reality to the man who is” (According to Luke, p. 241). (Gary Inrig - Borrow The parables : understanding what Jesus meant - see page 93) Our Tomorrows—Luke 12:22 While we wouldn’t want to argue with Jesus, we may sometimes wonder if His words about worry are realistic (Luke 12:22). After all, shouldn’t we be concerned about tomorrow? Suppose we get laid off from work? Get sick? Isn’t fear that we won’t have bread and threads and shelter one of the strongest fears we have? No words in any language can produce more anxiety than the question, “What if?” As we mutter them, we begin to imagine one bad possibility, then another, and then both bad possibilities together. We don’t think about the fact that our needs have always been met in the past and that we have enough for today. There is always that uneasy dread that tomorrow our well may run dry. While it is certainly wise to plan for the future, the imagined thirst of tomorrow, even though our well is full today, is one thirst that is unquenchable. Jesus taught that worrying about the future is futile. We shouldn’t be traumatized by what might happen or by what might be required of us. The imaginary need of tomorrow is one need that God cannot meet. Each day we learn from yesterday Of God's great love and care; And every burden we must face He'll surely help us bear. —D. De Haan Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due. Birds, Lilies, And Me —Luke 12:22 In the episodes of an old television show, the veteran police lieutenant always said this to the young officers on their way out to the street for their day’s assignments: “Be careful out there!” It was both good advice and a word of compassion because he knew what could happen to them in the line of duty. Jesus gave His followers a similar warning, but in even stronger terms. Luke 11 ends ominously with these words: “The scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things” (v.53). In the continuation of this account, Luke says that Jesus compassionately instructed His disciples to “beware” (12:1) but not to worry or be afraid (vv.4-7,22). Jesus was promising to guard, protect, and care for them as they went out into the world. He assured them that because He cared for simple things like birds and lilies, they could be certain that He would take care of His “little flock” of believers (vv.24-32). I walked life’s path with worry, Disturbed and quite unblest, Until I trusted Jesus; Now faith has given rest. —Bosch If Jesus is concerned about flowers and birds, He certainly cares about you and me. Luke 12:23 "For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. KJV Luke 12:23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Ge 19:17; Job 1:12; 2:4,6; Pr 13:8; Acts 27:18,19,38 Luke 12 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 12:22-34 How to Solve Worries About Money - Steven Cole Luke 12:22-25 Anxiety-Free Living, Pt. 1 - John MacArthur THE REASON NOT TO BE ANXIOUS For (gar) - term of explanation. Consider the "5P's" - Pause to Ponder the Passage then Practice it in the Power of the Spirit. What is Jesus explaining? What has He just instructed them not to do? Clearly He is explaining why they did not need to worry. Bock adds that "The reasons for having an absence of anxiety follow in Lk 12:23–28. The point is not asceticism, but a life lived with an eye to God, as he meets one’s needs....The point seems to be that, since there is more to life than food and clothing, to be overly concerned with them is to miss life’s important concern—a relationship with God. (1 Ti 6:6-19) The illustrations of nature in 12:24, 27, 28 operate on the level of food (ravens) and clothing (lilies and grass). God will care for these basics. Food and clothing only sustain and shield us. As Danker (1988: 249) says, “Living is more than having." (Luke 9:51-24:53 (Baker Exegetical Commentary ) Life (psuche) is more than food, and the body more than clothing - There is more to life than eating, as important as eating is for the sustenance of our life. So stop worrying about what you are going to eat! In the next passage He explains they can stop worrying because God will supply for their needs (not their greed). As important as clothing is to protect us from the elements, our life consists of more than what we wear. And as the following passages illustrate, God will provide for these basic needs which should negate our tendency to worry! Jesus proceeds to give three examples of the futility of worry - ravens (birds of the air), length of our life, and lilies of the field.
Lucas 12
Barclay - “His coming would inevitably mean division; in point of fact it did. That was one of the great reasons why the Romans hated Christianity – it tore families in two.” Five members in one household will be divided - Indeed this division did not await His Crucifixion, but had already clearly begun as some of the Jews (e.g. 11/12 of His original disciples) received Him as Savior and Lord, while the majority of the Jews in Israel tragically rejected Him as their long-awaited Messiah (John 1:11+). Those who received in were no longer of the world (cf Php 3:20+), although they were still in the world, but the world would now hate them, (Jn 17:14-18) and sadly this hatred would include even members in one's household! Most of us who have been saved by grace through faith in Christ have experienced this division within our own family and it is an especially painful experience for me. I had one uncle who had been much like a father to me (as my real father left when I was one year old) who finally told me that if I did not stop talking about Jesus (and his need to believe in Him), then I needed to stop coming to see him. This literally broke my heart and sadly, as best I can discern, he continued to deny Jesus until his dying day. Jesus brings division in households and believers need to fully grasp that truth because of the pain that it will bring in their hearts. Perhaps you have suffered dearly for your testimony to your family that Jesus is your Lord. The disciples ask a related question. May Jesus' answer comfort your heart Then Peter said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” 28 And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. (Mt 19:27-29)