The Christian and His/Her Possessions

Please take your Bibles this morning, and turn to Luke 12:22.  I want to speak to you this morning about the Christian and His Possessions or the Christian and Her Possessions. 

 

If you were here last Sunday, you remember that Jesus was talking to His disciples, but He was interrupted with a request from the crowd.  He then took that opportunity to encourage His disciples and the crowd to beware of coveting riches. 

 

Do you remember why we shouldn’t covet riches?  The main reason is because they tempt us to forget God. 

 

Jesus illustrated His message with the parable of the rich fool.  Jesus called this rich man a fool because his riches had caused him to forget God.  He presumed that he was in control of his life instead of God. 

 

This morning, we are going to continue talking about riches or possessions.  Jesus is refocusing His attention to His disciples.

 

Today’s text will sound a lot like Jesus’ sermon on the mount.  We are going to see three “do not” statements, and each of them will be countered with a “do” statement.

 

One more thing to keep in mind today.  Nothing that Jesus says today means Christians shouldn’t work hard or Christians should save for the future.  Both diligence in our work and discernment for the future are commended in the Bible.

 

 

1. DO NOT WORRY ABOUT POSSESSIONS! Luke 12:22-28

22 Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. 23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? 25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 26 If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?

 

Again, verse 22 begins with Jesus refocusing His attention to His disciples.  He then gives our first imperative or command related a Christian and his possessions.

 

Do not worry!  Do not worry about what?  Do not worry about this life and our food or our clothes. 

 

Why not?  Life is more than food and clothing.  Then Jesus gave three reasons why Christians should not worry about our possessions.

 

First, God takes care of the birds of the air, and we are more valuable to Him than them.  Look at verse 24.  

 

God also takes care of the flowers of the field.  Look at verse 27 and 28.  We are more valuable than them.

 

Second, look at verses 25-26.  We should worry because worry doesn’t accomplish anything.  It can’t add time to your life.  It can’t change the situation, and it certainly can’t help. 

 

Third, look at verses 29 and 30.  We shouldn’t worry about possessions because that is what lost people do. 

 

I mentioned when we began that every “do not” statement is offset by a “do” statement.  Instead of worrying about possessions, we should remember these reasons why not to worry. 

 

 

2. DO NOT SEEK AN ABUNDANCE OF POSSSESIONS! Luke 12:29-31

29 “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. 30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. 31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

 

Remember from last week, money is not the root of all evil.  It is the love of money.

 

In a similar way, possessions aren’t bad in and of themselves.  It is coveting them or seek an abundance of them that crosses the line.

 

Just like we should not worry about possessions, we should not seek an abundance of possessions.  Of course, this doesn’t mean not working hard, and it doesn’t mean not saving for the future.

 

However, instead of seeking an abundance of possessions, we should seek first the kingdom of God.  Making Jesus your first priority.

 

Why?  Verse 30 says God knows what we need like food and drink, and when we seek Him, all these other things will follow.

 

 

3. DO NOT FEAR THE ABSENCE OF POSSESSIONS! Luke 12:32-34

32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

 

The last “do not” statement is in verse 32.  Jesus addressed His disciples as little flock.  He charged them not to worry about the absence of possessions. 

 

Why?  Our good, heavenly Father wants to give the riches of His kingdom. 

Jesus then said the unthinkable.  He told them to sell their possessions.

 

I wouldn’t take this as absolute for all disciples to sell all.  However, if you’re struggling with coveting, and you’re afraid of the absence of possessions, you might want to consider this antidote.

 

Instead of fearing the absence of possessions, we should invest in eternity.  That is what He means when he says provide for yourselves money bags that don’t grow old. 

 

Invest in the gospel.  Invest in missions.  Invest in growing God’s kingdom in heaven.

 

 

Invitation

Verse 34 is an invitation.  It is an invitation to give your heart to Jesus.  Make Him the treasure of your life.