*Luke 12:22-48
Jesus urges his disciples not to worry but to trust in God’s provision and faithfulness.
- Encouragement Not to Worry:
- Jesus instructs his followers not to be anxious about their basic needs such as food or clothing.
- He emphasizes that life is more than material provisions, drawing attention to how God provides for birds and flowers.
- Instead of focusing on worries, Jesus encourages them to seek God’s kingdom, assuring them that their needs will be met.
- Seek God’s Kingdom First:
- Jesus assures them that God desires to give them His kingdom.
- He advises them to sell their possessions and give to the needy, creating spiritual treasures that can’t be destroyed.
- He reminds them that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
- Be Prepared for Christ’s Return:
- Jesus illustrates the importance of being prepared through the parable of servants waiting for their master’s return.
- He emphasizes the uncertainty of the timing of His return, comparing it to a thief coming in the night.
- The message is clear: be alert and ready.
- Faithful and Unfaithful Servants:
- Peter asks whether the teachings are for everyone or just the disciples.
- Jesus tells a parable about a faithful servant who manages his master’s household well and receives a reward upon the master’s return.
- Conversely, an unfaithful servant abuses his authority, thinking the master’s return is delayed, and is punished for his behavior.
- Jesus underscores the principle that greater knowledge and responsibility come with greater accountability.
12:22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
12:23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? 12:25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 12:26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? 12:27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
12:28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 12:29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
12:30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
12:31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
12:35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; 12:36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
12:38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
12:39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
12:41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? 12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 12:43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
12:44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
12:45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 12:46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.