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Be intentional about your worries

March 28, 2022
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Daily Scripture

Luke 12:8-34

During Lent, we are using short videos to share a daily idea (linked to the gospel of Luke) on how to grow spiritually. Watch today’s video. Click here or on the image below:

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Note: We are reading the entire gospel of Luke in the GPS. Some day’s readings are longer than usual. We hope you’ll have an extra cup of coffee, or use your lunch break, and read Luke’s entire story of Jesus.

8 “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before humans, the Human One [or Son of Man] will acknowledge before God’s angels. 9 But the one who rejects me before others will be rejected before God’s angels. 10 Anyone who speaks a word against the Human One [or Son of Man] will be forgiven, but whoever insults the Holy Spirit won’t be forgiven. 11 When they bring you before the synagogues, rulers, and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what you should say. 12 The Holy Spirit will tell you at that very moment what you must say.”

13 Someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

14 Jesus said to him, “Man, who appointed me as judge or referee between you and your brother?”

15 Then Jesus said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourself against all kinds of greed. After all, one’s life isn’t determined by one’s possessions, even when someone is very wealthy.” 16 Then he told them a parable: “A certain rich man’s land produced a bountiful crop. 17 He said to himself, What will I do? I have no place to store my harvest! 18 Then he thought, Here’s what I’ll do. I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. That’s where I’ll store all my grain and goods. 19 I’ll say to myself, You have stored up plenty of goods, enough for several years. Take it easy! Eat, drink, and enjoy yourself. 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool, tonight you will die. Now who will get the things you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 This is the way it will be for those who hoard things for themselves and aren’t rich toward God.”

22 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Therefore, I say to you, don’t worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. 23 There is more to life than food and more to the body than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither plant nor harvest, they have no silo or barn, yet God feeds them. You are worth so much more than birds! 25 Who among you by worrying can add a single moment to your life [Or eighteen inches to your height]? 26 If you can’t do such a small thing, why worry about the rest? 27 Notice how the lilies grow. They don’t wear themselves out with work, and they don’t spin cloth. But I say to you that even Solomon in all his splendor wasn’t dressed like one of these. 28 If God dresses grass in the field so beautifully, even though it’s alive today and tomorrow it’s thrown into the furnace, how much more will God do for you, you people of weak faith! 29 Don’t chase after what you will eat and what you will drink. Stop worrying. 30 All the nations of the world long for these things. Your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, desire his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well.

32 “Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights in giving you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to those in need. Make for yourselves wallets that don’t wear out—a treasure in heaven that never runs out. No thief comes near there, and no moth destroys. 34 Where your treasure is, there your heart will be too.

Daily Reflection & Prayer

Jesus used a simple, sobering parable to get his listeners (and us) to consider how far ahead our plans reach. For the rich fool hoarding his large crop, the sad answer was, “Not nearly far enough.” Jesus no doubt appalled some hearers by saying, “One’s life isn’t determined by one’s possessions.” This life, and the material goods we enjoy in it, will end. Only God can (and does) offer us eternity.

  • Jesus spoke sadly of “those who hoard things for themselves and aren’t rich toward God.” His story said what we work (maybe even fight) so hard for does us no good when we die. Has your desire for material goods ever damaged your relationships with people or God? What helps you make sensible material plans without letting the stuff you think you “own” actually “own” you?
  • When Jesus called his followers a “little flock,” they were. That wasn’t cause to fear. God liberally “delights” in giving them (and us, a much larger “flock”) the gift of God’s eternal kingdom. That’s why Jesus said we don’t need to worry. How does worry differ from wise foresight or planning? Instead of worrying, what are more useful ways to meet life’s demands?

Click here to incorporate music and worship from the COR Worship Collective into your daily practice and devotion.

Prayer

Loving God, in fall foliage or spring flowers, every morning and every evening, you delight in giving to me. Keep my generosity growing, even though it will never match the scale of yours. Amen.

GPS Insights

Kersee Meyer

Kersee Meyer

Kersee is a part of the Resurrection Experience team at the church and works alongside other creative folks to make videos to connect people to community, their faith and God.

My two immediate takeaways from that passage were:
1. Worrying won’t add a moment to your life.
2. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be too.”

I constantly feel worried. I’m a planner who loves a good 5-year plan, scheduling out family dinners a week at a time, and I buy a new planner every year. For me, my planning can sometimes lead to worrying. Is there enough time, enough money, enough food, etc.? I’m not saying God doesn’t like planners, but he’s telling us not to focus on our worries.

This passage forces me to ask a simple question. If worrying won’t add a moment to our lives, then why do we allow worry inside our treasure chest?

I know God cares for me more than the birds in the sky or lilies in the field, but I can still find so many things to worry about. The more I worry the more I start to do the things that are pleasing to me, not God. I hoard items to remain locked inside my house or I shut my wallet tight because I can’t see past my own worry.

When I lean into the things that cause me worry or stress, I find God there. When I unclench my hand over my wallet and give away freely, I become less worried in that moment. When I give away the things I’m hoarding (including my time), I feel God remove my worry then too.

What is your treasure, and what worries can you let go of to live a life that is pleasing to God?

© 2024 Resurrection: A United Methodist Church. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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