Don't Worry, Have Faith

The Fool

God gave the rich farmer a bumper crop

the man was worried about what to do with the crop

he tore down his barns and built bigger ones

God ended his life the night he was all set for the rest of his life

V 20-21

Jesus spoke about being greedy

and our need of being rich toward God

this man had his retirement plan secured

he thought only of himself and nothing toward God

he was not thinking about his eternal retirement plan

like giving to the church or missions ect.

I know a couple who early on decided to put their retirement into missions. and trust in God in their retirement age years

investing in their heavenly account

on the heels of this teaching and warning from Jesus

He is telling us not to worry about the necessities of life

be rich toward God and allow God to take care of you

read V 22-34

Worry

V 22-23

"Stop being worried." Or "Don't begin to worry." Stop fretting, being weighed down with cares, being distracted and distressed, being troubled

this is a command by God

with every command there is the Holy Spirits help in this task

do you want to do the will of God?

stop worrying

our word worry comes from an Anglo Saxon word meaning to strangle

when you are worried about something you are being strangled by these thoughts

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Eleven: Believer, Beware! (Luke 12)

Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow,” said Corrie Ten Boom; “it empties today of its strength

worry does not lengthen our lives , but it makes us sick and in the hospital

I could go on about the harmful effects of worry

let’s just leave it here and remember it is a command, the will of God for us not to worry.

My car I think God used this breakdown so I can have a good illustration about worry

between talking with my mechanic neighbor and the mechanic who fixed my car they have filled me with enough to worry me every time is start the car. bur I cant get rid of it. so I have decided I will drive it and not worry about it and leave it in His hands

Consider the Ravens

V 24 the raven in the levitical law the raven is considered a un- clean bird a dirty bird

So Jesus is is giving these people an example of something despised

not a preferred bird like the dove

Have you ever watched birds eat?

they are always working looking for seeds or insects

so Jesus is not saying stop working and sit back be lazy and let God feed you

in the case of the couple I mentioned before the husband has no plan of retiring.

and so called enjoying life. the American dream

the ravens go about looking for food

and there is plenty to be found

V 25-26

Remember the model prayer that Jesus gave to us

And give us today our daily bread

God knows our needs

sometimes we mix up our needs with wants

V 27-28

food clothing shelter medicines are all needful things

these are things people around the world works for

these are things that everybody needs

people spend their lives in acquiring

don’t worry about these things. God knows your need

Do you have enough to eat today?

let God worry about tomorrow

Psalm 23 LSB

A Psalm of David. Yahweh is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will pursue me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of Yahweh forever.

Jesus the good shepherd takes care of His sheep

God knows who are His

He has given promises to take care of us

how much do we believe in these promises?

V 29-30

don’t be like the world in worrying about the future

you on the other hand

Seek God’s Kingdom

V 31

you let God give you the means of eating and clothing

and invest in God’s Kingdom

not this worldly kingdoms

allow God to prove Himself to you

trust in his daily provision

Give us this day our daily bread

V 32

don’t be like the foolish farmer

who only thought of the here and now

who had no thought of sharing his new found wealth

Look at the early church in Jerusalem selling their property to give to their brothers and sisters in the church

now Jesus is going to be really radical

V 33

take an inventory of what you have

is there something of these earthly possessions that you have that is more important than God to you

is there something you own that if Jesus asked you to sell and give away you would say no.

the things of this world are but a vapor here today gone tomorrow

the investment you make in the Kingdom of God is an everlasting treasure

also you enjoy the treasure of helping someone else

Jesus starts this discourse by telling us not to worry

don’t worry about the necessities of life

be generous to God be generous to others

God will take care of you

god wants you in eternity to have the best that He tells us to get rid of the possessions that hinder us from being generous to him

to the rich young ruler Jesus tells him sell all you have give to the poor

What is more important and few short years or eternity?

V 34

it is more important to God and you if your treasure is in Heaven