Luke 12: 31-34
Background
In Luke 12, Jesus is passing from Galilee on his way to Jerusalem the final time. On his way he encountered scribes and Pharisees (Luke 11: 54), who disputed with him in hopes of accusing him of something. As a result of these accusations, the Lord warned his disciples of the “leaven” of these accusers (Luke 12: 1-5). The church leaders, scribes, Pharisees, and other representatives, were described by Jesus as hypocrites, serpents, and “whited sepulchers” which appear beautiful outwardly but are full of dead men’s bone within. As leaders for the people, he described them as “blind guides” and “fools” (Matt. 23: 16-17).
Yet, by their positions of authority, these leaders exercised enormous control over the common people including Christ’s disciples. These disciples lived under the rigorously interpreted regulations of the Mosaic Law by these “blind guides and fools” as Christ called them. The background of Christ’s disciples’ lives would exist under the shadow of the church’s power to punish, excommunicate, or deliver them to Roman authorities. Christ’s doctrine was contrary to their Jewish teaching of “believing in God’s promised Messiah”, of which Jesus Christ, proclaimed Himself being (John 14: 6). From decades of perverted scriptural doctrine, rewritten and distorted to control the people’s lifestyles, Christ would counter these teachings with the power of the Spirit within the Scriptures.
Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 7: 21, where there is desire to do good, evil is present. So it would be with the Lord’s teaching among multitudes seeking his teaching, miraculous healings of diseases, and freedom of demonic possession. The Lord would teach in parables to confuse his enemies thwarting their underlying provocations. Knowing possibly the people’s fears in having to survive under burdens of distorted doctrine, the Master expressed how the heavenly Husbandman, the Father, cared for nature. Consider the flowers of the fields, lilies, how they grow and “worry not”? They are more splendid than even Solomon and his glory. Even as the Father takes care of them, will he not more take care of you (Luke 12: 27-28) (Matt. 10: 31)? If the Father clothes the grass, would he not care enough to clothe you or keep you fed and cared for? Your fears are common of nonbelievers. (Luke 12: 29-30).
Answers to All Our Problems
Verse 31
Seek ye the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you.
When Simon Peter told the Lord that the Lord needed to pay tribute money for himself, Jesus instructed Peter to go fishing in the Sea of Galilee and open the mouth of the first fish that he caught. Inside would be the Lord’s tribute money (Matt. 17: 27). The Lord God warned a man named Balaam through the donkey speaking to Balaam of impending danger hidden from Balaam, himself (Num. 22: 28-30). In order for God’s army with Joshua in charge to win a great victory against five armies with darkness approaching, God caused the sun in the heavens to stand still in request by Joshua, to complete victory before darkness fell (Josh. 10). Why then, considering these events, do we worry so greatly about the cost of gasoline, food, and other trivial needs we deal with daily?
Verse 32
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.
The Lord knows at times we are fearful. This however, is not scriptural to be afraid (Luke 12: 32). We are described as being a “little flock”, one normally easy to care for with discipline and order from its sheep. People who live trusting in God’s care enjoy peace and joy (Gal. 5: 22-23). The Lord says, however, not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 7: 21). The Kingdom of God will be given to God’s “little flock” who believe in Jesus (Rom. 10: 9-10) (John 3: 16) (1 John 3: 13), the Alpha and Omega (Rev. 22: 13).
Verse 33
Sell that ye have, and give alms. Treasure laid up in heaven cannot be stolen, rust, or be eaten by moths. Only treasure laid up in heaven shall reap benefits for there, it is secure (Matt. 6: 19-21). It is not treasures that the Lord seeks, but one’s heart. The heart speaks either of evil or of God within (Matt. 12: 34), is easily checked and identified, and clearly verified by God, the Father.
Life here on earth is a vapor in contrast to eternity (James 4: 2). What kind of a future abode resulting from a “life of vapor” compares to “life eternally”?
The fool hath said in his heart, “There is no God” (Psa. 53: 1). Are we recipients of the gift of atonement Christ offered on Calvary to grant us eternal life (Eph. 2: 8-9) or are we fools? If the Bible is the inspired Word of God ( 2 Tim. 3: 16), and we choose NOT to believe it, does that make it not so, or does that classify us as being in the eyes of God “fools” when we stand before Him (Heb. 9: 27)?
Verse 34
Most importantly, love the Lord God with all your heart, mind, and soul and you shall receive eternal life through Jesus Christ (Matt. 22: 27). Then, will your treasure be there where your heart will be also (Luke 12: 34).
Review
The scribes and Pharisees continually questioned the Lord Jesus’ authenticity of being who he said he was. Do we? If so, we will have serious problems after this life is over with our eternal destination, believe it or not? Heb. (9: 27)
The scribes and Pharisees had the temporary power to control other people’s lives by their positions, financial power, or authority. This is not how heaven is like. The Lord said that in His Kingdom, “the first shall be last, and the last shall be first” (Matt. 20: 16). This is a reversal to the kingdoms on earth. In God’s kingdom, those who are humbled or serve others will be exalted, while those who seek prestige will be humbled.
We will as well, be given a new heart that will please God (Ezek. 36: 26). While there will many who receive a new heart, sadly there will many more will who will take their heartened hearts to “a place God created for the devil and his angels, an unquenchable fire, eternal darkness, eternal pain and agonies, a place of unquenchable thirst, a bottomless pit, and numerous other descriptions (Mark 8: 36). If you are reading this, you still have the opportunity of choice to avert this. However, time is rapidly running out (Rev. 16: 15) (Matt. 24: 43) (1 Thess. 4: 13-18).
Fear has often being said to be the enemy’s greatest weapon since he has no power over God’s children. (Luke 10: 19) (1John 5: 18) (1John 4: 4) (James 4: 7) (1 Cor. 10: 13) Don’t let fear steal the joy of our Salvation (2 Tim. 2: 7), (Psa. 27: 1). Even more importantly, do not trade eternity in Heaven for a “place created for the devil and his angels.
Most importantly, love the Lord God with all your heart, mind, and soul and you shall receive the greatest treasure of eternal life through Jesus Christ (Matt. 22: 27). Then, where your heart is, your true treasure will be with you also (Luke 12: 34).
Sower's Field by L. Michael Schoonover 