How often do we find ourselves wrestling with the nagging questions: "Does God truly care about what I'm going through?" "How deeply does His concern run?" "Is this worry even significant enough for His attention?" These doubts can weigh heavily on our hearts, especially when life's anxieties creep in.
Jesus addressed these concerns with profound clarity in Luke 12:22-34.
Luke 12:22-34 NIV [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.
This call to "seek first" isn't about ignoring our responsibilities. Instead, it's about aligning our priorities. It's about recognizing that God desires to be the central focus of our lives, our highest goal. When we prioritize His kingdom and His righteousness, we open ourselves up to His provision and care.
Speaking to a diverse crowd, He urged them, "Therefore I tell you, don’t worry about your life, what you will eat; or about the body, what you will wear." He pointed to the natural world – the ravens who neither sow nor reap, yet are fed by God, and the wildflowers, more splendid than Solomon in all his royal attire, yet they neither labor nor spin.
If God so meticulously cares for the birds and the fleeting beauty of the flowers, how much more valuable are we in His eyes? Jesus asks, "Aren’t you worth much more than the birds?" and "If that’s how God clothes the grass, which is in the field today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will He do for you—you of little faith?"
Our worries often center on the basic necessities: "What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?" But Jesus redirects our focus. He doesn't dismiss our needs; rather, He assures us that "your Father knows that you need them." His instruction is clear: "But seek His kingdom, and these things will be provided for you."
This teaching follows another parable: this one of the rich fool. A man consumed by accumulating wealth for his own comfort, neglecting his relationship with God.
Luke 12:16-21 NIV [16] And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. [17] He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ [18] “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. [19] And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ [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.”
Jesus' point isn't that material possessions are inherently evil, but that a life solely focused on self-accumulation breeds anxiety and misses the greater purpose.
Worrying about the necessities reveals a potential lack of trust in God's promises. Just as God provides for the short lives of birds and the temporary beauty of flowers, how much more will He care for humanity, those created in His image with an eternal spirit?
Hebrews 13:5 NIV Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
So, what should occupy our minds instead of worrying? Jesus answers plainly: "But seek His kingdom." God, our loving Father, understands our needs, and nothing concerning His children is too small or insignificant for His attention.
Jesus addressed these concerns with profound clarity in Luke 12:22-34.
Luke 12:22-34 NIV [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.
This call to "seek first" isn't about ignoring our responsibilities. Instead, it's about aligning our priorities. It's about recognizing that God desires to be the central focus of our lives, our highest goal. When we prioritize His kingdom and His righteousness, we open ourselves up to His provision and care.
Speaking to a diverse crowd, He urged them, "Therefore I tell you, don’t worry about your life, what you will eat; or about the body, what you will wear." He pointed to the natural world – the ravens who neither sow nor reap, yet are fed by God, and the wildflowers, more splendid than Solomon in all his royal attire, yet they neither labor nor spin.
If God so meticulously cares for the birds and the fleeting beauty of the flowers, how much more valuable are we in His eyes? Jesus asks, "Aren’t you worth much more than the birds?" and "If that’s how God clothes the grass, which is in the field today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will He do for you—you of little faith?"
Our worries often center on the basic necessities: "What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?" But Jesus redirects our focus. He doesn't dismiss our needs; rather, He assures us that "your Father knows that you need them." His instruction is clear: "But seek His kingdom, and these things will be provided for you."
This teaching follows another parable: this one of the rich fool. A man consumed by accumulating wealth for his own comfort, neglecting his relationship with God.
Luke 12:16-21 NIV [16] And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. [17] He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ [18] “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. [19] And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ [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.”
Jesus' point isn't that material possessions are inherently evil, but that a life solely focused on self-accumulation breeds anxiety and misses the greater purpose.
Worrying about the necessities reveals a potential lack of trust in God's promises. Just as God provides for the short lives of birds and the temporary beauty of flowers, how much more will He care for humanity, those created in His image with an eternal spirit?
Hebrews 13:5 NIV Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
So, what should occupy our minds instead of worrying? Jesus answers plainly: "But seek His kingdom." God, our loving Father, understands our needs, and nothing concerning His children is too small or insignificant for His attention.
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