Financial Anxiety

OPENING PRAYER:

Thank you for getting to be here today as a gathering of believers.

As we just sang about… “Man shall not live on bread alone, but by every good word that proceeds from your mouth.”

Lord as we consider the passage here today… let it convict us where we need to be convicted… let it build us up for your glory and guide us into a life of being KINGDOM SEEKERS in everything that we do in this life so that we may be RICH TOWARD YOU.

Lord let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you this morning.

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Good morning church: Please open your Bibles to Luke 12:22 as we will be making our way from Luke 12:22-34 this morning.

We have the privilege of continuing in Luke 12 from where Pastor Nathan left off last week.

If you have not had the chance to be here the two weeks, I encourage you to go and watch the previous sermons both on Stewardship and Contentment.

This sermon here today is very much connected to the previous passage where we see Christ answering a questions that was posed to Him about an inheritance in which Jesus takes as an opportunity to teach something about Kingdom living.

Jesus tells this parable of the RICH FOOL who thinks that he will be satisfied if only he has larger barns to fill with all of his grain and goods so that he then can say to his soul that he is satisfied and secure.

TO WHICH JESUS SAYS YOU FOOL. THIS NIGHT YOUR SOUL IS REQUIRED OF YOU.

And so rather than trying to fill our own souls with what we THINK THEY NEED out of wordly covetousness…

What we learned last week was that THOSE WHO ARE RICH TOWARD GOD ARE CONTENT.

And so what we see here today in Luke 12:22-32: JESUS IS DRAWING A CONCLUSION FROM WHAT HE JUST TAUGHT IN THE PRECEDING VERSES ABOUT THE RICH FOOL.

STOP IT: Bob Newhart

Bob Newhart is playing a Psychiatrist who has been hired to counsel Kathryn.

He assures her that the session will not take more than five minutes.

She begins telling him of her problem that she came in to be counseled for that she has this fear of being buried alive in a box.

She starts thinking about it and she begins to panic.

To which he ask her… have you ever had anybody try to burry you alive in a box to which she answers no.

But that thinking about it makes her life horrible. She can’t go through tunnels, she can’t go into an elevator, or be in a house or anything boxy…

Bob Newhart: “So what you’re saying is that your claustrophobic” to which she replies YES.

Bob now tells her that he’s going to give her TWO WORDS to take very seriously, to memorize and to incorporate into her life… she ask if she needs to write down these words to which he replies, no their two words…

He ask if she’s ready… and say ok here they are… STOP IT!!

She becomes very offended to which he then spells it out… S-T-O-P I-T.

THIS PASSAGE IS MOST DEFINITELY A STOP IT STATEMENT FROM JESUS.

THIS PASSAGE can also be one where we react in a similarly fashion to Kathryn in the skit because of the fact that our culture is so accustomed to thinking that WORRY AND ANXIETY IS JUST A PART OF WHO WE ARE… That there is just no way I can just stop it…

To which Jesus says to just stop it.

As we’ll see today…ANXIETY IS NOT A PART OF WHO YOU ARE AS GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE…

In all actuality… It’s a sign of the WORLD, A SIGN OF THE NATIONS… A SIGN OF UNBELIEVERS AND NOT A SIGN OF GOD’S KINGDOM…

Jesus, as the perfect counselor doesn’t just stop HIs counseling with the two words of “STOP IT”…

Jesus here tells His believers that

Because of the Fathers delight in provision and giving His Kingdom, disciples are commanded to stop living in anxiety & rather live as KINGDOM SEEKERS, HEAVENLY THINKERS, and a GENEROUS GIVERS.

We learn that those who’s heart treasures the Kingdom… do not worry.

READ Luke 12:22-30

Luke 12:22–30 ESV

22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.

A. Luke 12:22-30: The Command to STOP IT

V. 22-23: The Command - STOP IT. (Worrying that is)

As we’ve already mentioned… this passage we have before us today is very much tied to the previous section that Pastor Nathan preached on last week.

We see here at the beginning of our passage that Jesus turns to His disciples…

Jesus uses this word “THEREFORE”…

Literal meaning: "Because of this," "For this reason," or "On account of this."

The "therefore" (διὰ τοῦτο) is incredibly important.

Jesus isn't changing subjects here; He's drawing a conclusion from everything He just said about the Rich Fool.

He has just exposed the danger of covetousness in the parable of the rich fool (vv. 13–21). 

Therefore, He says, "Do not be anxious about your life,” what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. (v. 22).

Why does He draw this conclusion from coveting?

Because covetousness and anxiety are two sides of the same coin.

 Both reveal that our confidence & security has shifted from God to possessions.

Nathan touched on this last week. Think about it:

The poor can covet what the rich have and become anxious because they fear they'll never have enough.

The rich can covet more than they already possess and become anxious about protecting, growing, or losing what they have. Ironically, some even long for a simpler life because their wealth has become another source of worry.

The issue isn't how much money someone has. The issue is where they're looking for security.

The rich fool wasn't condemned because he had a successful harvest.

He was condemned because he believed his abundance could guarantee his future to which JESUS REPLIES YOU FOOL.

The anxious person makes the same mistake from the opposite direction. Instead of saying, "I have enough to control my future," they say, "I don't have enough to face my future."

But both perspectives assume that our future ultimately depends on our resources rather than God's provision.

That's why Jesus says, "Therefore... do not be anxious."

We recently made sort of a crazy move in our house where we allowed both our seven year old and five year old to room together with a bunk bed.

Before the first night of this adventure, we were threatening our five year old with her life…

Laying out our expectations for our five year old not to mess with the seven year old who enjoys her sleep…

She replies “Ok I’ll try not to mess with her”… or “I’ll listen in the morning…”

TOO WHICH MOMMA REPLIES NO I WANT TO HEAR THAT YOU WON’T DO IT FULL STOP. Not this I’ll try when the occasion best suits me, or when I feel like it.

Now, this phrase “DO NOT BE ANXIOUS is a fun one to look at.

Especially in our western mind sets and culture.

We can tend to read what Jesus says here and infuse into it our own feelings and thoughts and allow this to be made into Jesus saying “TRY YOUR HARDEST”,

when it best suits you… DON”T BE ANXIOUS.

—->>JESUS here is not asking for obedience when we feel like it… He’s telling us to STOP IT now and at all times.

(Present Active Imperative)

Present Active Tense: Jesus is addressing a present ONGOING HABITUAL ACTION, a lifestyle being carried out by the disciples. (They themselves are doing it… nothing else is making them do it.)

The “Anxiety” Jesus is speaking about here means to worry excessively - a concern that divides our attention and causes inner turmoil within the heart.

AND SO JESUS GIVES A PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE.

Imperative: A direct command.

Stop doing what is already in progress.

Do not continue in a pattern of doing it.

"Don't become characterized by anxiety."

"Do not live in continual worry."

It’s important to remember that He’s speaking about important matters

What we’ll eat

What we’ll put on…

These would have been real life issues that the followers of Jesus had to deal with and think about.

Many were socially vulnerable

Many were Economically insecure.

There would have been this constant worry of harvest instability with no insurance structure.

Believers may have been excluded from trade and excluded from any welfare system within the community and even family.

AND SO WHEN JESUS SAYS STOP IT WITH THE ANXIETY… He’s making a very serious statement to His followers.

This isn't merely a suggestion or comforting advice—it is an authoritative command from Jesus.

Verse 23: JESUS SAYS LIFE ISN’T ABOUT STUFF! This life that YHWH has given you is about SO MUCH MORE!

It’s important then to keep reading because Jesus isn’t like Bob Newhart in that he leaves it at those two words of “STOP IT”…

Jesus Gives examples of God’s providential care beginning with The Ravens…

V. 24-26: God’s Provision to the The Ravens

The readers of Lukes letter would have chuckled at the thought of the Raven’s being the recipient’s of God’s grace.

UNCLEAN: Under the Mosaic Law, ravens belonged to the birds the Israelites were not to eat and Leviticus says to detest. (Lev. 11:15; Deut. 14:14)

Ravens eat anything! (Dead animals, garbage, insects, rodents… anything they can find.

Long been associated with places of death and desolation.

AND YET JESUS SAYS THAT GOD BY HIS GRACE CARES FOR EVEN THE RAVEN.

In comparison to humans… they Neither sow nor reap.

In comparison to the RICH FOOL… They have no storehouses or barns.

YET GOD STILL FEEDS THEM and provides for them.

HOW MUCH MORE VALUABLE ARE GOD’S CHOSEN THAN THE RAVEN?

The answer is ETERNALLY MORE VALUABLE!

CAN THIS WORRY ADD AN HOUR TO YOUR LIFE? Jesus ask… to which He mentions is merely a small thing

OBVIOUS ANSWER: NO CHANCE.

We know by studies that worry can actually shorten your life. ONGOING ANXIETY ACTUALLY CAUSES CONTINUOUS ‘FLIGHT OR FIGHT” responses which floods your body with stress hormones which over time accelerate aging and increase health risk.

Jesus says that if you can’t even do as small as a task as adding time to your life…

THEN WHY ARE YOU PLACING YOURSELF IN THE SEAT OF GOD THINKING THAT YOUR WORRY CAN PRODUCE WHAT YOU NEED IN THE ESSENTIALS OF THIS LIFE? (Food & Rest)

YHWH is the provider of these… not your self perceived power through worry.

V. 27-28: God’s Provision to The Lillies & The Grass

Jesus then says to consider the Lillies & the Grass.

I love Nathan bringing up the lone Blue Bonnet last week. It was a beautiful Blue Bonnet.

But church not only can we not add an hour to our life… we also can’t even add to the beauty of lilies or a blue bonnet, or even to the beauty of green grass.

EVEN SOLOMON, the most wise and lavish of Israel’s Kings was outdone by wild flowers.

This of course in under the provision of YHWH.

That Blue Bonnet from last week… guess what… it’s not there today.

It’s gone my friends. (You missed your chance for those Christmas photos Nathan had suggested.)

But how beautiful was that flower that only lasted maybe a week!

If God so clothed that little flower so beautifully for just a week… how much more do you think YHWH cares about clothing you.

OH HOW LITTLE FAITH WHEN WE SECOND GUESS GOD’S PROVIDENTIAL CARE.

V. 29-30: Don’t be like the Pagans

Jesus then puts worry in it’s true place.

WORRY… is not what God’s Children are characterized as but rather originates from those outside of God’s promises.

Over in the book of Matthew we have the identical passage to what we have here in Luke.

Three times in Matthew’s report that believers are cautioned not to behave like pagans…

In relation to how they treat others (Matt. 5:47)

In relation to how they pray (Matt. 6:7)

And then in relation to their material possessions (Matt. 6:31-32)

Matthew 6:31–32 ESV

31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

I don’t know if anybody else's kids will do this… but every now and then our children will come and ask something to the effect of… “ARE YOU GOING TO FEED ME TODAY?”

WHICH IS HILARIOUS because these children have never gone more than three hours without food or a snack let alone a whole day!

When they ask me this question… they acts as if they are not the children of a FATHER and a MOTHER who have lovingly cared for them every day of their lives!

They act as if they do not even know us. They act as if they have NO FATHER.

When a disciple worries…they act as if they don’t know their Father. They don’t know HIs knowledge of their need and His care.

BUT JESUS SAYS>>> You’re Heavenly Father

KNOWS YOUR NEEDS

HE WILL PROVIDE FOR YOU

HE CARES FOR YOU

This is secure knowledge of God’s knowledge that gives the disciples the foundation and means to stop living with ANXIETY & WORRY and instead live like our hearts are COMPLETELY HIS.

HOW DO WE DO THAT?

Well, thankfully Jesus tells us…

Luke 12:31-34: LIVE AS Kingdom Seekers, Heavenly Thinkers, Generous Givers

Luke 12:31–34 ESV

31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

V. 31 LIVE AS KINGDOM SEEKERS

With the assured knowledge of God’s care for His people, the disciples can then turn all their attention to SEEKING GOD’S KINGDOM INSTEAD.

Matthew 6:33 ESV

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness…

When a person has been chosen and adopted by a King—->>>

THE KING’S KINGDOM

and the advancement thereof,

His glory,

His reign,

the consummation of the kingdom;

HIS RULE;

ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE TO BE THE DEFINING PURPOSE of the CHOSEN.

This chosen child of the KING IS BOTH DEFINED BY THE RULE OF THIS KING AND ALSO THE OBEDIENCE TO THE KING.

1 Peter 1:13–19 ESV

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

For the children of God… instead of worrying about they were to eat, what they were to wear, instead of worrying to the point of inner turmoil about having enough for the future…

the King’s child is to rest by seeking HIs KINGDOM & His Righteousness.

And if they do that… Jesus says that all these things will be added to them.

Now if you are a critical thinker… this may present a problem for you.

There have been plenty of Christians throughout history who sought God’s Kingdom and His righteousness while dealing with deprivation & starvation and even now as we speak sadly there are thousands if not millions of Christians dealing with this same thing.

One way to think on this is that when Jesus says “these things will be added to you”; (There are two parts of this promises being fulfilled)

We know that when the fullness of God’s Kingdom will be ushered in by the return of Christ,

Revelation 7:16 ESV

16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat.

Another thought here is that is that it’s hard to think that Jesus would rule out worry in the present age if THIS PROMISE only applied to the distant future.

Meaning that if God’s Kingdom has already been inaugurated; then God’s people should expect pieces of God’s Kingdom seen here on earth.

And when the church is filled with KINGDOM SEEKERS who are being HEAVENLY THINKERS AND THEREFORE GENEROUS GIVERS (giving to the needy)…

Those in need within the church are taken care of.

The rich man thought that these provisions gained by his own effort and merit.

Jesus teaches that all the disciples needs will be added to them By God if only they live as KINGDOM SEEKERS

And not only will things like food and clothing and rest be given… but indeed God will give something far great to His disciples: He will give the KINGDOM ITSELF!

V. 32: LIVE AS HEAVENLY THINKERS

Jesus here gives another exhortation to “FEAR NOT” which serves more so as a reassuring word to His followers.

Everything that has been said up to this point serves as sufficient reasons NOT TO LIVE IN FEAR… But if you need any other reason here are a few more…

Jesus calls His people little flock reminding them of who they are as GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE. This is the true people of God that Jesus is referring to… the same flock mentioned in Micah 2:12

Micah 2:12 ESV

12 I will surely assemble all of you, O Jacob; I will gather the remnant of Israel; I will set them together like sheep in a fold, like a flock in its pasture…

FEAR NOT… YOU ARE GOD’S CHOSEN FLOCK OF SHEEP and therefore YOU ARE PRECIOUS TO HIM.

Secondly: Jesus gives them another reality to dwell on… and that’s the fact that it will be God’s good pleasure to give His children the kingdom!

When YHWH calls His child and adopts them into His Kingdom… it’s not like He gives them a second hand room with second hand clothes and tells them to sit at the other end of the table and be thankful… NO HE GIVES THEM THE BEST OF HIS KINGDOM!

Jesus is speaking both to the now and not yet reality of salvation.

He tells them that the Kingdom has arrived and is in their midst through Him (Luke 17:20-21)

But I think Jesus is especially speaking about the future inheritance of eternal life.

It will be the Father’s good pleasure to give His children the new heaven along with the New Jerusalem

which will include the Father dwelling with His people

Every tear being wiped away.

No more death

no more mourning or crying nor pain with the former things having all passed away.

Revelation 21:7 ESV

7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

HEAVEN, and the FATHER’S GOOD PLEASURE TO GIVE IT WAS TO BE CONSTANTLY ON THEIR MINDS.

30-50 times throughout the NT does Jesus or the writers of the NT encourage others with the thought of heaven.

Jesus says to lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven.

Paul: “Set your mind on the things above.

Our citizenship is in heaven.

Peter: Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you.

IF HEAVEN IS SOMETHING we think on often… it changes how live now…

ACTIVE HEAVENLY THINKERS DON’T FEAR… ACTIVE HEAVENLY THINKS DON’T LIVE IN ANXIETY

ACTIVE HEAVENLY THINKERS ARE CONFIDENT BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY THEIR INHERITANCE IS A RICH ONE IN THE FATHER.

You want to combat ANXIETY?

Live as a KINGDOM SEEKER.

Live as a HEAVENLY THINKER

Also live as A GENEROUS GIVER.

V. 33-34: LIVE AS GENEROUS GIVERS

Jesus concludes with a radical imperative to sell your possessions and give to the needy.

Throughout church history… there have been a slew of church leaders and followers who have read INTO this statement from Jesus and thought that they literally needed to go and sell ALL POSSESSIONS…

This began with The Desert Fathers (3rd-4th Centuries): Anthony the Great literally sold his inheritance, gave the proceeds to the poor and withdrew into the Egyptian Desert. (There’s some who may like the idea of this…)

This inspired the monastic movement beginning in the 4th century. These were people who embraced intense self-denial so much so where you had communities who would take vows of poverty.

Is Jesus here telling His followers to literally sell all of their possessions? The quick answer to that is NO.

I think at times readers can forget that Jesus often used hyperbole.

Hopefully you never actually have to take a log out of your eye.

He didn’t actually mean to pluck out your eye or to cut off your hand.

A camel can’t go thru an eye of a needle.

You aren’t supposed to actually hate your family.

AND FOLLOWERS CAN’T LIVE WELL WITHOUT ALL POSSESSIONS.

RATHER… what Jesus is getting at here is He’s telling His disciples to live in a simple modest way for the purpose of being a GENEROUS GIVERS ESPECIALLY TO THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED.

Not only is this good for the needy BUT THE MORE I GIVE MY STUFF THE LESS I AM TIED TO MY STUFF AND THE MORE I CAN TIE MYSELF TO CHRIST.

The crazy point here is that in order to fight financial anxiety… GIVE MORE AWAY.

To be a GENEROUS GIVER is to constantly remind my own heart who it’s ruler is.

Every time the disciple would seek to give more than they think they should give it would reestablish in their heart that God is the giver of life and everything in it.

It would also reestablish that this life is not about THINGS (what we’ll eat or drink or wear, it’s not about where the disciple will live or what they’ll drive, It’s not about the harvest that can be saved)

(ALL OF THESE THINGS BEING THINGS THAT GROW OLD< THINGS THAT FAIL, THINGS THAT CAN BE STOLEN OR DESTROYED)

… rather life is about being RICH TOWARD GOD.

IF I AM A GENEROUS GIVER & MY TREASURE IS WITH GOD AND HIS KINGDOM… my heart will rest there and not with THINGS.

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER FOR EVALUATION:

KINGDOM SEEKERS:

UNBELIEVERS: In order to be a KINGDOM SEEKER, you must first become a part of the Kingdom through repenting & putting your faith and trust in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.

Dear one, if we’re to go along with the investment theme of this passage… right now you are wasting your life.

You may think you’re a good person and are earning some kind of security for yourself but there are no works of the law that can justify your sins… All your life is earning for you right now is God’s righteous judgement on the day of wrath. (Rom. 2:5).

The righteousness of God can only be received by faith in Jesus. Dear one, if you want to be a KINGDOM SEEKER and better steward your life… it starts with repentance & faith.

BELIEVERS: What occupies your thoughts most?

Jesus doesn’t ONLY tell us to STOP IT with the ANXIETY but He gives us a greater pursuit in His Kingdom!

Questions to ask myself:

What do I spend most of my time thinking about?

What consumes my prayers?

What dominates my calendar?

What dominates my spending?

If someone watched my life for a month would they conclude that I’m seeking God’s Kingdom or building my own?

Anxiety usually reveals that I’ve made my kingdom more important than Christ & HIs Kingdom.

When my greatest concern becomes about things that are here one day and gone the next, anxiety usually follows because those things are fragile.

But when my greatest concern is Christ and His Kingdom, I can rest because His kingdom will never fail.

REPLACE YOUR ANXIOUS THOUGHTS WITH BEING A KINGDOM SEEKER

HEAVENLY THINKERS:

I don’t know about you… but I can often be really good at thinking about next week, next month, retirement or college funds, next to do task…

but how often do we intentionally think about heaven?

How often do we think about what is awaiting me through the gospel?

How good would it be to remind ourselves every day of our inheritance because of the Fathers good pleasure to give it.

To think and dwell on this and to preach the gospel to myself anytime ANXIETY ARISES.

Let’s become more consistent HEAVENLY THINKERS rather than wordly investors.

GENEROUS GIVERS:

TO LAND THE PLANE…

Jesus doesn’t says, “Where your heart is, your treasure will be.”

He says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

In other words...

Your money doesn't merely reveal your heart—it directs your heart.

Every dollar you spend is slowly attaching your heart somewhere.

Spend everything on yourself—your heart follows yourself.

Spend everything on comfort—your heart follows comfort.

Spend everything on earthly security—your heart follows earthly security.

Invest in God's kingdom—your heart follows Christ.

That's why generosity is one of God's greatest tools for freeing us from anxiety.

WHAT ARE WAYS YOU CAN BECOME MORE GENEROUS IN THE COMING WEEK IN INVESTING TOWARD GOD’S KINGDOM??

WE MUST REMEMBER THOUGH… JESUS ISN’T JUST MERELY TREATING ANXIETY…

HE’S REMINDING HIS DISCIPLES OF THE FATHER’S CARE AND PROVISION FOR HIS PEOPLE and that LIFE IS ABOUT BEING RICH TOWARD GOD as we wait for the return of His Son and the completion of HIs Kingdom…

Let us be found when that time comes

seeking HIs Kingdom,

Thinking about heaven

as we are giving generously.

LET’S PRAY.

God we thank you fort he passage that we just got to think through and Lord we now pray that we can be doers of your Word.

However that looks in our own lives and in whatever way that the Spirit has convicted us in… let us now act.

Let our thoughts, prayers, our calendars, our spending be saturated with kingdom living.

Let our dwelling be constantly toward the hope that we have in heaven….

And let our giving not be such that fulfills my earthly desires and security but allow our giving to invest rather in your Kingdom and it’s advancement.

Lord let us be RICH TOWARD YOU as we patiently wait for your return.