#83 Luke 12:32-34 Do Not Be Afraid, Your Father is Pleased to Give

On August 7, 2022 by Amy Burgin

Joy:
Episode #83 Luke 12:32-34

Welcome

Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are so glad you’re here. I’m Amy Burgin.

Joy:
I’m Joy Burgin.

Amy:
Amid a world of many words, this podcast makes room for the God-breathed Words, the best words, the ones that rightly convict, correct, teach, and lead us. Each week we read one passage from the Bible several times and create stillness after each reading so we might also be still, listen, and know God more for ourselves.

We are in a very long series that takes us through the book of Luke.

Pour Out Your Heart to God

Amy:
Before I read today’s passage, take a minute to pour out your heart to God. Maybe you have a list of questions for which you need answers or a heart filled with hope, grief, gratitude, bitterness, joy, worry, or a mix of all these things and more. Whatever is on your mind, name it and bring it to God in the next minute.

[Pause and pour out your heart to God]

What Does This Passage Say About God?

Joy:
I’m going to read today’s passage two times. As I read, consider the question, what does this tell us about God?

Luke 12:32-34 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Again?

Take a minute to be still and know what this says about God.

[Pause and know]

What Does This Passage Say About People?

Joy:
As I reread the passage, consider a different question. What does this tell us about people?

Take the next few moments to answer the question, what does this passage tell you about people?

[Pause and know]

Lord, What Would You Have Me Know Or Do Today?

Joy:
As I read for the last time, ask God, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?

Take the next minute to ask God, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?”

[Pause and listen]

Blessing

Joy:
Christgazer, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. And may you turn your face toward Jesus today and know his love.

One Response

Amy:
Let’s zoom out and remind ourselves where we are in the story of Jesus. Jesus had performed a miracle and crowds formed around him so large, that people were trampling on each other. A man yelled out from the crowd, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me!” Jesus responded with a warning, “Watch out for all kinds of greed!” He told a short story to show us what it’s like for a man who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God – he’s like a man whose plans come to naught because he unexpectedly dies before he can enjoy any of his stored up treasure.

It’s then that Jesus turned toward his disciples and spoke the words from the last three episodes about worry. I’ll close by re-reading them all together now. Luke 12:22-34 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. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 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—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

I just want to repeat verse 32, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”

Closing

Amy:
Joy and I will be back again next week to go Christgazing together. Until then, don’t forget, when you put your trust in Christ, you are one in whom he dwells and delights, a dearly loved child of God. You are royalty in his strong and unshakeable kingdom. Though trouble abounds, Christ prevails, and so do you.