
Luke 12:22-34 (New Living Translation)
22 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
27 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. 30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. 31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.
32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
I. Is heaven in us? (vv. 22-23)
• Nothing competes with God for worship like
• There are kinds of greed:
• There are no universal
• Generosity is not determined by
• Our material priorities reveal our
II. Is hell in us? (vv. 24-28)
• God cares and provides for the “
• Worry is faith in something other than
• Peace is trust and knowing that God’s nature is
• People are objects of God’s
• God blesses without desire or possibility for
III. Treasures are the tell (vv. 29-34)
• Self-sufficiency is striving for
• Only God is truly secure because he is
• The solution to worry is
• The
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1. Read Luke 12:22-26. What is Jesus referring to when he turns to the disciples and says, “that is why I tell you” (refer to Luke 12:17-20)? How does this reference help us remember that our natural lives are part of our spiritual lives?
2. Give examples of things that we are prone to worry about. Why does Jesus tell us not to worry? Do his words bring you comfort?
3. Read Luke 12:27-31. How do faith and unbelief correlate with peace and anxiety? How does this correlate to dear friend (philos) and human (anthropos) in Luke 12:4 and 14?
4. Read Luke 12:32-34. Who does Jesus tell us that God gives the Kingdom to? How do we store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth? How does giving tithes, offerings, and being generous with possessions cultivate an attitude that is congruent with bringing heaven down to earth?
5. What else stood out to you in the sermon that you have questions about in this passage of Scripture?