FEAR GOD, NOT PEOPLE, Kevin Albright
A TREASURE IN HEAVEN
Passage: Luke 12:22~34  
Key verse: 31
Do Not Worry(A)
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.(B) And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life[a]? 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(C) 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!(D) 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(E) knows that you need them.(F) 31 But seek his kingdom,(G) and these things will be given to you as well.(H)
32 “Do not be afraid,(I) little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.(J) 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor.(K) Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven(L) that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.(M) 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.(N)
Footnotes
- Luke 12:25 Or single cubit to your height
Cross references
- Luke 12:22 : 12:22-31pp — Mt 6:25-33
- Luke 12:24 : Job 38:41; Ps 147:9
- Luke 12:27 : 1Ki 10:4-7
- Luke 12:28 : S Mt 6:30
- Luke 12:30 : S Lk 6:36
- Luke 12:30 : Mt 6:8
- Luke 12:31 : S Mt 3:2
- Luke 12:31 : Mt 19:29
- Luke 12:32 : S Mt 14:27
- Luke 12:32 : S Mt 25:34
- Luke 12:33 : S Ac 2:45
- Luke 12:33 : S Mt 6:20
- Luke 12:33 : S Jas 5:2
- Luke 12:34 : Mt 6:21
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
1. Do not worry (22-30)
We worry about money, which can buy food, clothes and shelter. Jesus gave 2 natural examples of God's provision: food for ravens and beautiful clothes for flowers. God feeds the ravens and clothes the grass with flowers. How much more will God feed and clothe us! (24,28) Unbelievers chase these things. But our Father God knows that we need them.
2. Seek treasure in heaven (31-34)
So what must we do? We are to seek God's kingdom. How can seeking God feed or clothe me? God will give them. That's his promise. Things on earth wear out, fail, get stolen and are destroyed (33). If from our hearts we give up worldly things for treasure in heaven, we gain the kingdom. It only takes faith to seek his kingdom. It's that easy and that hard. Where is your treasure?
Prayer: Lord Father, I worry too much about worldly things. Help me to simply trust in you and seek your kingdom ahead and instead of earthly prizes. Give me a right value system and investment strategy.
One Word: Only heavenly treasure lasts forever