Today’s passage reminds us that God already knows what we need, so worrying won’t add anything to our lives—it only drains us. Jesus tells us not to get caught up chasing after food, clothing, or stuff that fades, but instead to seek the Kingdom, because that’s the real treasure. I’ll be honest, worry comes naturally to me—I tend to carry it for everyone—but Jesus’ words are clear: worry can’t fix a thing. What lasts is trusting God, living generously, and remembering it’s the Father’s good pleasure to give us the Kingdom.

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Well, good morning. It’s good to be with you on this Wednesday. Always a gift to spend time together in God’s Word whenever we can.

Today we’re reading from Luke 12:22–34. My Bible calls this section “Do Not Worry.” Yesterday we read about the rich fool—someone rich toward himself but not rich toward God. Today Jesus flips it and shows us what real abundance looks like for the Christian.

Luke 12:22–34 (NRSV)
He 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. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 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! And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest?

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

I love this passage. Jesus says: The Father knows. The Father knows you need food. The Father knows you need clothes. The Father knows you’ve got to live. This isn’t pie-in-the-sky, “don’t worry, just vibe and everything will be fine.” No—Jesus is clear. The Father knows what you need. But he also says: Don’t settle for less than the Kingdom.

It’s like Jesus looks us in the eye and says, “Beloved, don’t be afraid. It’s your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.” Not every earthly want. Not every shiny new thing. The Kingdom. Don’t trade that for stuff that moths eat and thieves steal. Don’t treasure what’s going to rust and fade. Treasure what lasts.

And that’s where the hard question comes: where’s your treasure? Because where your treasure is, that’s where your heart is. If all my energy, time, and worry is wrapped up in the stuff of earth, then I’ll be like the rich fool—rich in barns, poor toward God.

I’ll confess something here. Worry is my spiritual gift. Ask anybody who’s worked with me. When I was serving in Petal, somebody stole the church safe. I was off at a confirmation retreat and got the call. Came back, and while the police were there, someone asked, “Why is Andy here?” One of my staff answered, “Well, somebody’s got to worry. And Andy’s got that covered.” That’s me—I’ll take care of the worrying so you don’t have to!

But Jesus says, “Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” And the answer is no. Worry doesn’t fix it. Worry doesn’t provide. Worry just drains.

I need this word, because I worry about everything—my kids, my church, money, the state of the world. And Jesus is right: it doesn’t accomplish a thing. My energy would be much better spent striving for God’s Kingdom.

So here’s today’s reminder, for me and maybe for you too: the Father knows. He knows what you need. He knows your hunger, your clothing, your bills, your fears. And he says: Seek my Kingdom first, and I’ll take care of you.

Don’t worry. Treasure what lasts. And remember—it’s your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.

Thanks for being with me today. Tomorrow we’ll pick up in verse 35. Have a great day.