33 lines
1.5 KiB
Markdown
33 lines
1.5 KiB
Markdown
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title = "Luke 12:22–34"
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date = "2022-12-18"
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### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk12.22-34)
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Having reminded the people that earthly goods are not worth anything to them
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after they have died, Jesus continues the lesson by saying we should not be
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anxious about even our basic needs. The poor people of Jesus's day were a lot
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poorer than even most who consider themselves poor today. Finding enough food
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to eat for the day was often a struggle, and there were no government programs
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or charitable organizations to help people out. Into that environment, Jesus
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says don't worry about what you will eat or wear.
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Jesus explains why He says this in three ways. First, mere survival is not all
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there is to life. God wants you to do more with your life than to merely exist.
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Second, worry does not actually give you your food or clothing in the first
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place. In fact, worry and stress will shorten your life, the opposite of what
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we want it to do. Third, God is good and takes care of even the little animals
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and the short-lived grass, and He cares for you and your life even more. He
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knows you need food and clothing, shelter and relationships. He is faithful to
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provide for your needs, so be faithful to Him in return.
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Finally, Jesus exhorts His listeners to invest in the kingdom of God because
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the returns are eternal and cannot be lost, stolen, or worn out. Be generous
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with what you have now, because you won't get to keep it anyway.
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* * *
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Set our eyes on what is truly valuable, and help us live as good citizens of
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Your kingdom.
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