The Preeminence of God's Kingdom

What are you anxious about right now? Maybe like me you are watching the cost of everything increasing and you have anxiety or maybe you are watching world events and wonder about the future of our nation.

In the passage we are looking at today Jesus exposes those things in which we have often placed our confidence in.

Jesus give is two scenarios. One demonstrates the futility of living for the wealth of this world the other the fathers provision. In this we see the preeminence of God’s kingdom.

The key to understanding how these two passages go together is found in Luke 12:15

Luke 12:15 CSB

15 He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”

The Scene:

Luke 12:13–14 CSB

13 Someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 “Friend,” he said to him, “who appointed me a judge or arbitrator over you?”

In Jesus day it was not uncommon for a dispute to be brought to a Rabbi to act as an impartial judge. In this case it seems to brothers were arguing over an inheritance and wanted Jesus to settle the matter. While Jesus was more than capable of weighing in, he hid not. The problem was not the issue of inheritance. The real problem is greed. Jesus then begins to use this as a platform to highlight kingdom living.

The first scenario is the rich fool.

I. The Rich Fool Luke 12:16-21

Luke 12:16–21 CSB

16 Then he told them a parable: “A rich man’s land was very productive. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? 18 I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there. 19 Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.” ’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’ 21 “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Now in the American mindset this man seemed to do what was prudent. He had a sudden windfall of excess.

He weighed his options and thought this is the best course of action. Build bigger barns and take it easy. Its time to retire.

Now my question is how many of us would naturally do the exact same thing?

I mean can you see yourself in this story? Isn’t this how we are trained to think about life. Work hard store your goods, take it easy and enjoy life.

So then is this parable against saving? No, I think the Proverbs make it clear that is not the case.

Is it against a form of retirement? No, not necessarily.

Then what is Jesus actually condemning?

To answer that question I want to look through this parable and count how many times the rich man refers to himself. I’ll give you a moment to count. Once you have it somebody shout it out.

Answer :11 - 12x

Now I want you to read this passage again. How many times does this man give any thought to God?

Answer: None

We call this practical atheism. Whether he believed in God is not mentioned in the passage but either way he was living his life as if God did not exist.

What should have been a blessing for him to both enjoy and use for God’s purpose became a curse.

Jesus is condemning greed that causes us to lose sight of Him. How quickly we can begin to trust in other things. This man had everything yet did not acknowledge God.

In this first scenario a man thought he had nothing to worry about due to his wealth, but did not consider his own mortality. In other words, he lived if God did not exist. This man had everything but did not have God. This man should have been concerned as was not.

Luke B. Dedication to Riches: Redefining Wealth (12:13–21)

Riches have one major weakness. They have no purchasing power after death. They cannot buy the currency needed to get to heaven. Do not try to be rich in regard to the bank or barn. Be rich in relationship to God.

Out next scenario are those who should not worry but do.

The next scenario is a man that has no material wealth, but has God.

II. The cure for anxiety

Luke 12:22–34 CSB

22 Then he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, don’t worry about your life, what you will eat; or about the body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: They don’t sow or reap; they don’t have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than the birds? 25 Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying? 26 If then you’re not able to do even a little thing, why worry about the rest? 27 “Consider how the wildflowers grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these. 28 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? 29 Don’t strive for what you should eat and what you should drink, and don’t be anxious. 30 For the Gentile world eagerly seeks all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be provided for you. 32 Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Make money-bags for yourselves that won’t grow old, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

A. Life is more than acquiring the necessities. Luke 12:23

Luke 12:23 CSB

23 For life is more than food and the body more than clothing.

Luke 12:24 CSB

24 Consider the ravens: They don’t sow or reap; they don’t have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than the birds?

Is God telling us it is okay to be lazy and he will provide? Of course not but rather that all necessities ultimately come from him....

B. Worry is a symptom of unbelief

Luke 12:25–30 CSB

25 Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying? 26 If then you’re not able to do even a little thing, why worry about the rest? 27 “Consider how the wildflowers grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these. 28 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? 29 Don’t strive for what you should eat and what you should drink, and don’t be anxious. 30 For the Gentile world eagerly seeks all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.

The reference to the gentile world is a reference to those who do not know the goodness of God.

In other words, God is not going to call you into his kingdom than let you fend for yourself as you strive to live for him.

He is a good Good who takes into account our needs. If we live for him he will provide.

Luke 12:31–34 CSB

31 “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be provided for you. 32 Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Make money-bags for yourselves that won’t grow old, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

In these last few verses he compares seeking His kingdom and our hearts pursuit.

Show me what you spend your time, money, and energy on, and I will show you what your heart values.

Seeking God’s kingdom is more than giving a head-nod to moral living and church attendance. It is heart that is transformed in what it treasures.

It actively seeks out the things of God and His mission.

Whatever you pursue in this life is what you will treasure.