SEEK HIS KINGDOM
Luke 12:22-34
Key Verse: 12:31
LK_Ch12_22_34_DavidGates
“But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”
Last week Jesus counseled a brother who was unable to get his share of an inheritance. He was angry and jealous of his family because he was missing the chance to have some money to buy nice things. Jesus rejected the case and gave him difficult advice in his situation saying, beware of all kinds of greed. Then he told a parable about someone who tried to hoard everything to retire early, but died without enjoying anything. In this way Jesus tried to show the angry brother his selfish motive, to have everything this world has to offer. He should strive instead to become rich toward God, and think of much he may inherit from the Heavenly Father. Next, Jesus speaks again to his disciples, to help them think about treasures and wealth in this world compared to treasure in heaven and riches that last forever.
Jesus must have sensed his disciples’ confusion after he refused to help the brother get his share of his family’s inheritance. They would expect justice in the same case. They were also looking forward to a kingdom where all the jews live in abundant wealth like oligarchs thanks to offerings and plunder from many conquests. But Jesus just told everyone not to look forward to such things. Why was Jesus speaking against what seems naturally desirable and expected for a kingdom established by God? Let’s read verse 22. “Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you,
do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.”” Food and clothes are the number 2 and 3 necessities after breathing air. Life could be difficult if they don’t have such things. If the brother who was depressed about the inheritance was still there, he might be worrying most about having nothing to eat and jealous to see his richer brother buying the nice clothes and feasting sumptuously off his inheritance money. What a depressing situation. Since Jesus’ disciples were probably expecting unlimited loot in the coming kingdom, they had to understand the very basic supply and demand principles first. So, Jesus tried to take their eyes off their hopes and dreams to start from scratch.
Look at verse 23. He told them, “Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.” Practically speaking, there are several more things that could be categorized in life. Maybe the biggest worry for the majority in our region could be whether we have wifi and battery for the phone. After that, we only eat things a few times a day and we can survive with a few clothes. So, it is possible that this lesson is just further stressing the need to not be so greedy, overdoing it with extras like storehouses of food and 15 pairs of shoes, just to be up on latest fashions. In other practical areas of life, we have work to do, hobbies to occupy our time and we need to sleep. Maybe there can be a life category for interpersonal things that some folks do more than others. In reality, living on earth is rather simple, as long as everyone gets along. When shortages arise, or if interpersonal things go wrong, like in the war zones or sinful behaviors, we experience many sorrows. This must be the situation Jesus is trying to prepare his disciples for, especially considering the near future for his own life and what his disciples might experience some years down the road.
Look at verse 24. Jesus told them to “consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them.” This illustration shows two principles. The first is right in line with the last story about gathering abundant harvest to stock up for the future. It also reminds them of the sparrows, God fed in another story on the same theme.
Another principle is God taking care of the creatures he put on the earth. The main idea is that disciples may realize their position and God’s purpose. He said to them, consider “… how much more valuable you are than birds!” Disciples of Jesus are children of God, born again by his spirit, so they are infinitely more valuable than birds. Seeing themselves from god’s view is key to living under his care.
Consider should be a key word in this lesson. According to the internet, it means to think carefully about (something), typically before making a decision. So, Jesus must be trying to help them decide about serving God as he counsels them toward poverty in this world. They were greedily dreaming of abundant benefits in God’s kingdom, but it’s not going that way according to the last passage. They need some facts to remember when Jesus is gone and their hometown people reject them violently in the future. They need to decide if they will stay on Jesus’ side even though they have nothing in this world to show for it. They should have the facts up front so they can make a clear decision. Will they go for all they can have in this world or let it go, looking forward to something better in God’s time?
Let’s read verse 25&26. Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Jesus reiterated that life is unpredictable and could be short. It is familiar to the story from last week where the owner died suddenly and had no chance to enjoy his stash. It is humbling to remember that we don’t know how long we have to live. At any time an unexpected accident, sudden sickness or body failure might take us out of the world in a moment. Comparing this most unpredictable thing to our daily needs, Jesus stressed that worrying over situations we can’t really control is not worth the trouble.
Next he told them another parable about their possessions. He said, “Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” Comparing the flower’s beauty to Solomon’s fancy apparel seems to indicate the fashion problem is the main thing on their minds. Similar to life ending suddenly, Solomon’s glorious clothing was gone now. It was looted by vandals and decayed over the years. But the flowers kept coming back, in their yearly cycle, blooming and planting to provide a nice garden over and over. Jesus expressed a principle based on that in verse 28. “If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!”
People like looking good in front of others and sporting expensive clothing makes them so proud. Every now and then a designer brand takes off and we waste a lot of money to buy outfits that are insanely inflated in value. I heard recently that fashion designers began making a lot of money selling even digital clothes that people pay money for, just so they can post a picture of themselves in a unique look on the internet. Someone paid $9500 dollars for one outfit. It shows that humans’ “what to wear” problem is terrible. They waste a lot of money but never dress up better than a flower filled meadow. We spend lots of money to make ourselves a little more beautiful than others, but we fail to see our true beauty as children of God.
Considering things God prepares, cares for, and provides to everyone should help the disciples see their creator in the new light, but they must realize the context of the lost world around them. So verse 29&30 contrasts the two. Let’s read those together. “And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.” There the contrast is between the pagan world, running after the most basic things, vs the Father in heaven providing what his children need to accomplish his work.
This translation says “pagan world” which has an implication meaning all the nations or races of the world as a group. So, in this context, Jesus divides the world into two groups, the lost souls compared to God’s children. The disciples should follow Jesus’ pattern. Though he was the son of God, his life was characterized by self-denial, not seeing equality with God as something to be grasped, but humbly serving others and ultimately laying down his life to save his people from their sins.
While the nations of earth were running after another meal, the next party or stylish things, the Son of God set the example of serving the Father with patient trust and humble obedience. He wished for his disciples to serve God in the same way, to experience his freedom and look forward to inheriting eternal blessings together.
Let’s read his encouraging thesis in verse 31. “31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” This direction flips the priority system over so disciples may fix their motivations and their expectations in the right order. The context is helpful to understand the principle. Disciples around Jesus at the time probably thought, Duh, we’re following you because we want to live in the kingdom where all god’s people get unlimited bread and clothes that never wear out. We want to retire with all the other nations surrendering to us, becoming our servants, waiting on us hand and foot. They had high hopes for a political kingdom of god that is centered on them, rooted in their traditions and culture based on Israeli history and Moses law. They were unable to see the reality that Jesus will die soon and they could not imagine how much their lives have to transform when they seek God’s kingdom. What they really need to know at the moment is their heavenly father is looking out for them. All they need to survive, as long as God needs them alive, will be provided.
Apostles Peter and Paul might be the most documented examples of what it meant to seek God’s kingdom at the beginning. They did not end up ruling the world from Jerusalem. They were sent to jail several times and ended up moving all over the world in order to tell people about Jesus’ death and resurrection. It was very hard for Peter to visit the Gentiles at first, but he took Jesus’ advice to step out of his legalism and share the kingdom of God with Gentile Cornelius. Paul was on the rise in the strictest sect of legalistic Judaism when Jesus called him. He was the one who could look forward to the fanciest robes and delicious dinners with the elites when he ran after self-righteousness. When he sought God’s kingdom instead, he became one of Israel’s most wanted criminals, and the hardest working witness to the pagan nations of his time.
See what he wrote to the Corinthians about the apostolic lifestyle: 9 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men. … 11 To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.
What a drastic change of lifestyles when the disciples chose to seek God’s kingdom, trusting their heavenly father to provide what they need. It is hard to feel jealous of Paul. His testimony seems depressing and we feel sorry for him. We might feel ashamed of our affluence when we think of what seeking his kingdom means to many believers like him. On the other hand, thankfully, Paul appreciated the fact that Corinthian believers were more affluent than him and able to support his ministry and help with offerings for the harshly persecuted believers back in Israel. Paul never had a large palace or walk-in closet full of suits and many shoes. But he looked forward to the crown of life when he met the Lord again at the end of time.
Look what he told the Corinthians after describing his lifestyle. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. Paul was the man with no regrets at all because his hope in heavenly reward was firm and every sacrifice was worth it when he experienced the right relationship with God in Christ. For the apostles day to day life, seeking his kingdom meant turning their lives into the most dynamic witnesses and evangelists, inviting people from all the nations to share eternal life and support them in sharing the news. For a majority of believers whom they helped, seeking his kingdom meant repenting of their “seek food and fun first” lifestyle to learn from Jesus’ servants and worship God in spirit and truth. These don’t seem to change in the big picture. Now and then God empowers a unique witness or inspires some missionaries to do unusual things. A majority of servants also end up in the background, witnessing simply and trying to support God’s work as they can. Many still experience harsh conditions too, when family and villages consider them apostate traitors. All in all, we might summarize what it means to seek his kingdom in the practical sense, as a lifestyle that focuses on inviting others to the everlasting kingdom, rather than striving to have everything we can get out of this world. Having what is required to survive should be enough and we can believe our father in heaven is aware of all we need. Jesus’ direction challenged the disciples to set their lives on course toward eternity, without fear of perishing. The alternative is to seek perishing things and perish with them forever like the grass that is thrown into the fire.
Just having what we need is not the end of the game though. Look at verse 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.’ What an encouraging, precious promise. God is pleased to give Jesus’ disciples the kingdom he has prepared for his own son who rose from the dead. It is not a kingdom based on a geographic boundary with Israel in the center. In this life, the kingdom is having peace with God thanks to our sins being forgiven. It is working together with God’s spirit to help Jesus round up the lost sheep he is looking for all over the world. Eternally, the kingdom God gives his children is unimaginable, but looking forward to it is very hopeful because it lasts forever.
At the end of today’s passage Jesus shares some advice about the disciples’ existing possessions, how to invest their money and deal with their treasured possessions. His ideas also seem contrary to common practice. Look at verse 33. He said, “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.” The first advice sounds like what he told a rich man to do when he asked about eternal life. But many disciples don’t have extremely large amounts of valuable things like the rich man. So, they might be thinking, there is not much I can do. Nevertheless, in the same context of the disciples’ future mentioned earlier, it is a good strategy. They won’t be able to bring much of their stuff with them, if they face persecutions or ex-communication from their villages. It is better for them to sell off their extra things and invest them in serving the poor on behalf of the Lord. He said somewhere else, even sharing a cup of water with one of the least of his brothers was worthy of a reward in his everlasting kingdom. So, at the end of the auction, it doesn’t seem to matter what the amount is that disciples can offer. What really matters is offering it to the Lord, to bless those he associates with. It expresses faith in Jesus’ word and trust in God’s promise. The result of these investments is amazing, a purse that cannot wear out and treasure in heaven that cannot be plundered or ruined like the things we own in this world. Even with Jesus’ word about the return on the investment, most people find it very difficult to follow this advice.
Treasured possessions seem very meaningful to us, even when they might be useless things or considered complete junk by others. Many suffer what’s known as a hoarding disorder where things just fill their homes in every corner in piles that cannot be distinguished from actual garbage. Some others are known as clutterers who collect trinket after trinket and spread them all over the house in little compartments. It’s unexplainable why we grow so attached to treasured possessions or why we think we need a mattress full of money while we still worry about what to eat. When I moved to the Bible House over 20 years ago, everything I owned fit in my blanket and I rolled it down there in a little red wagon. Over many years, I seem to have collected many trinkets and treasured possessions that seem to have no purpose to anyone but me. According to Jesus’ instructions, it may be good practice to make time and find a way to sell off such things and invest in his kingdom.
Verse 34 describes the real point of the lessons we covered in this passage. Let’s read that one together. Let’s go. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Jesus gives disciples a chance to examine their hearts by looking at their main desires, financial goals and treasure collections. If they are focused on perishable things and hoarding wealth for themselves, their heart is immature and tied up to the world. They may miss the chance to help Jesus, by blessing the poor and their heavenly investment return may be small. Or worse, they may be so fixed on money they fall away like Judas. On the other hand, if they take Jesus’ advice and invest their earthly time and money wisely, seeking his kingdom, they will share a great return, enjoying the kingdom and treasure that will never perish or decay.
Today’s passage is difficult to study because Jesus speaks specifically about our greedy human nature that is contrary to God’s hope for us. Implementing his advice seems like it leads to poverty with no chance to have any fun. But it was the best instruction for the disciples around them in context. When they took his advice, God blessed them and advanced his kingdom to many nations. Even though many of them were executed, they were assured an amazing inheritance in eternity. All in all, Jesus’ lesson was a depiction of his own life and sincere encouragement to help his disciples establish a baseline. He hopes that without hindrance or obligations that come with abundant wealth and too many material possessions they can mature as God’s servants. When their hearts were set on God’s kingdom, their treasure and rewards in eternity were secure. Let’s read the key verse together one more time and pray.
But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.