Proper 14 (August 10, 2025)

Undivided Attention – Part 9

Undivided Trust

Luke 12:22–34 Supporting Readings: Genesis 15:1–6; Hebrews 11:1–16

Goal (Purpose Statement)

To strengthen hearers in confident trust that the Father who has already given them the kingdom will surely provide for their needs, freeing them from anxious striving so they may live generously as His little flock.

—————

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Last week, we explored Jesus’ stark warning against the folly of greed. Through the story of the rich fool, we witnessed a man who mistakenly thought his security rested in building bigger barns and accumulating wealth. His confidence in material abundance proved to be fleeting, as God called him a fool, showing that his earthly treasures were not only temporary but also futile in the face of eternity.

This week, we transition to a closely related but equally perilous temptation—worry.

While greed is the excessive desire for more, worry is the consuming fear of having less. Both are twins in showing a misplaced trust in earthly things rather than in our Heavenly Father.

Greed and worry are two sides of the same coin, both arising from a lack of trust in God's generous provision for our needs.

Jesus now directs us to confront this worry—not fear over an abundance of possessions, but fear of scarcity. He calls us to Undivided Trust in the Father’s care, reminding us that His provision for our lives is not only sufficient but promised with certainty.

I. The Folly of Worry

First, Jesus shows us the folly of worry—what it means to live like spiritual orphans.

Jesus says,

Luke 12:22–23 NKJV

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.

We know this truth. We’ve heard it countless times. Yet worry and anxiety has a way of sneaking in—

not just about money,

but about health,

family,

the future,

and whether God will truly take care of us.

When worry and anxiety governs us, we start living like spiritual orphans— as if we have no Father in heaven who knows us, loves us, and cares for us.

The world lives this way. Jesus says,

Luke 12:30 NKJV

For all these things the nations of the world seek after.

The non-Christian spends their days chasing food, drink, clothing— the visible securities of life— because they do not know the Father.

But do you want to know the real tragedy? Even as God’s children, we sometimes live the same way. Our attention is divided between trusting God and trusting ourselves. And that’s what worry really is— trust in my own ability to provide instead of trust in my Father’s care.

I once visited with a young father who had just bought his first home. He told me, “Pastor, I thought this would bring me peace— but now I lie awake at night wondering how I’ll keep up with the payments, the repairs, the taxes.” That’s the thing about worry—it doesn’t vanish when we “have enough.” It simply shifts to a new target.

II. The Father’s Care

Lessons from Ravens and Lilies

So Jesus tells us to consider. Not just glance— but ponder deeply— how the Father cares for His creation.

The ravens. They neither sow nor reap, they have no barns, yet they eat every day. Why? Because God feeds them.

The lilies. They don’t toil, they don’t spin, yet they are clothed with beauty that surpasses even Solomon in all his royal splendor.

And here’s Jesus’ point: If God cares for them, how much more for you— you, His child— you, His little flock.

A farmer in our area once lost much of his crop to hail. He didn’t know how the bills would be paid. Yet by season’s end, the family still had food on the table and clothes on their backs. God’s provision came through unexpected ways—a neighbor dropping off meat, a check from a friend, work that arrived just in time. That’s what Jesus is getting at here: trust that looks at the ravens and lilies and says, “If God cares for them, He’ll care for me.”

But there’s the rub— unlike the ravens, we do sow and reap; unlike the lilies, we do toil and spin. We were made for work. And so we’re tempted to think that our value comes from our work and the things our work can buy.

When that happens, our work and possessions take on the role of savior. They become the source of our identity and security. And that is why Jesus says,

Luke 12:34 NKJV

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

III. The Kingdom Already Given

Right in the middle of this text, Jesus gives perhaps the most tender and reassuring command in the whole Gospel of Luke:

Luke 12:32 NKJV

“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

What beautiful words! Not “earn the kingdom”. Not “prove yourself worthy of the kingdom”. Not even “hang in there and maybe you’ll receive the kingdom someday”. No—your Father has already given it to you.

The Greek verb is in the past tense — a completed action. This means the gift has already been placed in your hands. It is done. Nothing can undo it.

This is the Father’s gracious will from before the foundation of the world — to give you life in His kingdom as a free gift. No merit of yours. No worthiness of mine. Just His delight in saving sinners. As Jesus says elsewhere,

Matthew 18:14 NIV84

In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.

Think of Abram in our Old Testament reading. God promised him descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. At that moment, Abram had no children. His eyes told him one thing; God’s promise told him another. And Abram believed the Lord, and it was credited to him as righteousness (Gen. 15:6).

That’s faith — trusting God’s Word when sight says otherwise. Abram’s treasure was not in what he could see but in what God had already promised.

I’m thinking of a couple in a former congregation who, after a job loss, decided to continue supporting the congregation they had pledged to help. They didn’t know how it would work, but they believed God’s mission was worth the sacrifice. Within weeks, the husband found work—different than before, but enough to meet their needs. Like Abram, they acted not on what they could see, but on God’s faithfulness.

Hebrews 11 picks up that same theme.

By faith, the patriarchs lived as strangers and exiles on the earth. They were looking forward to “a better country — a heavenly one” (Heb. 11:16).

Their eyes were fixed on the city whose architect and builder is God (v. 10). Why? Because God had already promised it to them. It was as sure as if they were already there.

So it is with you. Your place in the Father’s kingdom is not in doubt. It is not pending review. It is not up for appeal. The King Himself has already signed the adoption papers in His own blood. In Baptism, you were brought into His household. The Father has placed His name upon you. You belong.

And the Good Shepherd — the One speaking these words — not only purchased the kingdom for you, He walks with you until the day you enter it in fullness. His Table here is a foretaste of the feast to come. His Word keeps you in His care. His Spirit strengthens you for the journey.

So hear His voice again today: Fear not, little flock. You are safe. The kingdom is already yours. And if God has already given you the greatest treasure imaginable, do you really think He’ll withhold the smaller things you need along the way? Daily bread? Clothing? Shelter? They are nothing compared to the kingdom — and yet He gives those too.

IV. Freed from Worry → Freed to Give

And so Jesus says,

Luke 12:33–34 NIV84

Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

He’s not saying every Christian must sell everything today. He’s saying: When you know your treasure is secure, you can hold earthly things loosely. You can use them for the sake of others. You can be generous. You can give without fear of running out— because your supply comes from your Father in heaven.

George Müller, who cared for over ten thousand orphans in 19th-century England, it is said that he never asked for money. When food ran out one morning, he gathered the children at the table and prayed for breakfast. As they finished praying, a baker knocked at the door—he had felt led to bring bread. Moments later, a milk cart broke down outside, and the driver offered them all the milk before it spoiled. That’s what living free from worry looks like: confidence in the Father’s provision, expressed in generosity and prayer.

This is what it means to live with undivided trust. Your confidence is in Him— not in barns, not in bank accounts, not in tomorrow’s paycheck. And that frees you to live generously today.

V. Conclusion – Your Treasure and Your Heart

The promise is this: You are not an orphan. You are a beloved child of the Father. You are part of the little flock watched over by the Good Shepherd.

The kingdom is yours— already given, already secure. And with your treasure safe in heaven, your heart is free from the tyranny of worry.

And that changes how you live every single day.

It changes how you pray — you can seek first God’s kingdom, knowing daily bread will follow.

It changes how you work — not to prove your worth, but as a faithful child of the Father.

It changes how you give — not out of fear or guilt, but out of joy, because you cannot outgive the One who has given you the kingdom.

It changes how you rest — trusting that even when you sleep, the Father is still providing.

So you are free: Free to work with joy, free to serve with love, free to give generously, free to live each day in the care of your Father.

Fear not, little flock. Your Father knows what you need, and it is His good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Prayers of the Church – August 10, 2025

P: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

As Your little flock, O Heavenly Father, You have already given us the kingdom through Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Strengthen our trust in Your care, freeing us from anxious striving so that we may live generously and joyfully in Your service. You know our needs; Lord, in Your mercy C: Hear our prayer.

As Your little flock, Lord of the Church, keep us steadfast in Your Word and sacraments. Strengthen all pastors, teachers, missionaries, and servants of the Gospel to proclaim Christ with boldness and to comfort Your people with the assurance of Your kingdom. You know our needs; Lord, in Your mercy C: Hear our prayer.

As Your little flock, God of mercy, provide for the needs of our homes and communities. Give to the unemployed meaningful work, to the anxious Your peace, and to all who labor a spirit of contentment. Guard us from greed and worry, and teach us to seek first Your kingdom. You know our needs; Lord, in Your mercy C: Hear our prayer.

As Your little flock, Compassionate Lord, grant healing to the sick, comfort to the grieving, and strength to the weary. We especially remember those whose names are upon our hearts, including Gabe Jension and Alissa Reep, Chad Hammer and Rhonda Post. Surround them with Your mercy, strengthen their bodies, and encourage their hearts through the promises of Your Word.  You know our needs; Lord, in Your mercy C: Hear our prayer.

As Your little flock, Generous Giver, move our hearts to use the resources You have entrusted to us in service to others. Make us rich in good works, eager to share, and confident that we can never outgive the One who has given us the kingdom. You know our needs; Lord, in Your mercy C: Hear our prayer.

P: Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord Who taught us to pray: C: Our Father who art in heaven…