Day 3
Lisa Sheffler, author
Yesterday we considered that the motivation for turning to the idol of money might be greed. Greed isn’t like an open wound that calls for obvious medical attention. It’s more like a hidden tumor that grows undetected until it becomes life threatening. If we put our hope in our financial health, rather than our spiritual one, we are flirting with disaster.
The desire to have more is often accompanied by a fear of losing everything. We think money will buy us security and protection from calamity. Jesus addresses this fear in the Sermon on the Mount. He knows how susceptible we are to fear and how meager our faith in him can be. During his time on earth, he taught his disciples that only trust in him allows for a healthy view of money.
In Day 2 we looked briefly at Jesus’ warning: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15). He then illustrates his rebuke with a parable about a wealthy farmer who attempts to stockpile his abundant harvest so he can relax, only to find that he has already arrived at end of his days.
Recall that Jesus ends the story this way:
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:20–21)
Jesus then moves on to address his disciples, and that is the passage we are focusing on today.
Read
Luke 12:22–31
22 Then Jesus 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 clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Ask Yourself
- Are you prone to worrying about having enough money? If so, how does that anxiety affect your life and relationships?
- What reasons does Jesus give for having faith in God. How could those reasons combat anxiety?
- According to verse 31, what should we do instead of worrying? What does this mean to you?
Reflect
In Luke 12, Jesus deftly transitions from warnings about greed to warnings about worry because both show a dangerous lack of faith in the goodness of God. He told the parable of the rich man to warn against the foolishness of storing up possessions on earth. “Jesus is not saying possessions are bad, but that the selfish pursuit of them is pointless.”[1] The man’s focus on his possessions led him into self-centered greed.
Now Jesus shifts his attention specifically to his disciples (Luke 12:22), for whom the promises he’s about to speak are intended. He warns them against the fear of not having enough. Like greed, worrying can also cause us to focus on accumulating money and possessions rather than on loving God and people. While greed can tempt us to put our faith in riches to find joy and wholeness, worry insists that we find our security through them. “Greed can never get enough, worry is afraid it may not have enough”[2] In either case money becomes an idol we seek out to meet our needs.
According to Jesus, faith in God can keep us from making an idol out of money. God’s love for us is such that he will provide for his children. Using creation as an example, Jesus demonstrates the gentle care of God who feeds common birds and adorns flowers. Our Father is not a reluctant or stingy Caregiver.
We can hoard our money in order to feel safe, but anyone who has watched the value of their home or 401K float up and down with the changing economic tide knows that there is no security in wealth. The loss of a job, a natural disaster or a serious medical crisis can decimate even the most conscientious person’s savings account. We hear stories of these financial crises all the time. You may have been through one yourself.
Yet Jesus assures us that the Father will not only take care of his children now, but has “already given you the kingdom.” The children of God are rich beyond measure. What earthly riches could compare with the extravagant goodness of God? We are free to be generous in this life, because in light of eternity, we are exceptionally wealthy.
Material possessions break and rot, but people are eternal. Loving others, building relationships and pointing people to Jesus have far more worth than earthly riches. Investing in the kingdom means pouring our God-given resources into that which will have everlasting impact. That kind of treasure-building can take many forms. We can be called to meet physical needs as well as emotional and spiritual ones.
When Jesus tells us not to worry about having enough food or clothing, where do you think the care he promises will come from? Sure, God could send manna from heaven to feed us, but more likely he is going to use people to meet the need of his beloved child. In God’s economy we get to be the agents of his grace. Within the body of Christ, we should be honored to be each other’s safety net in times of need.
So how can we smash the idol of money when it’s fear that sends us to bow at its feet? Instead of worrying about our needs (that in many cases aren’t really needs), why don’t we give to those who lack a place to live, food to eat, or clothes to wear. Instead of buying into the idea that wholeness is a thing we can buy, why don’t we invest in spreading the gospel so others can find the ultimate peace.
Pray
Before the Lord, take a moment to assess your fears about money.
If you are prone to worry about your financial security, even though you have stable income, invite the Spirit to show you the root of that insecurity. It might be a fear stemming from childhood, a lack of faith in the goodness of God, a disbelief that you are worthy of God’s care, or some other factor.
If you are in a difficult financial situation, your worries have a more direct cause. Pray over your spending habits. Consider taking a class like Financial Peace University to help you get control of your finances.
Of course, if you lack basic necessities, let the church know. As the body of Christ, we want to help.
Pray over your next steps.
Talk about it
- Based on these verses, how would you describe “heavenly treasure”? How can focusing on our future with Jesus help us when we are worrying about money today?
What should we do when we have legitimate financial concerns? How can we trust God during difficult times? How could being generous to others help?
[1] Darrell L. Bock, Luke, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994), Lk 12:13.
[2] William F. Arndt, The Gospel According to St. Luke, Bible Commentary Concordia, 1956).
