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Bible Reading Plan

Reading Plan: Luke 12:22-34

Do Not Worry

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. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 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! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

“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. 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! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 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. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

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Daily Devotional: Seafood Diet

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”

Matthew 6:22-23 

The passage that comes before this verse is about storing up treasure in heaven: “For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.” The verse after this scripture declares, “You cannot serve both God and money.”  

My husband used to fondly tease me with the old line, “My wife is on a seafood diet. Whenever she sees food, she eats it.” He wasn’t wrong. You see, I’m a cookie person, not a cake person but if I see cake and other people enjoying it, then I desire some too. I know I’m not the only one afflicted. An advertisement shows gooey cheese dripping from a slice of pizza and suddenly someone says, “Hey, who wants to order a pizza?” Maybe food is not your trigger, instead you see a trendy outfit in a store window or the newest technology online or an adventurous vacation commercial. What you see, you kinda want. 

The eyes are the center of the passage from verses 19–24, because desire starts with our eyes. These desires can be healthy and God centered. I may choose to eat an apple instead of chocolate cake. My desire for food is critical, my blind desire for sweets may be detrimental. If we are solely focused on obtaining what we see, there is little room for being generous to others. It’s a balance, a disciplined response. 

When my kids were little, every time we walked through a department store they would pick toys off the shelves. Intentionally, I stopped, admired it with them, then handed it back and asked them to return it to the shelf. They got used to the routine. Every once in a while I made the purchase. Hopefully I taught them the application of this verse. We can see with our eyes and admire, without a consuming desire that blocks out God and generosity to others. 

Healthy, generous eyes see God more prominently than objects. Healthy, generous eyes see people, who are made in God’s image, as center stage and their possessions in the peripheral. Physically we may need glasses to see clearly. Spiritually we need discipline and prayer to see the sharp and brilliant colors God shows us.

Owning things is not wrong or sinful. I know many people who have lots of things, are incredibly generous, and always put God first. What do you see when you look at your house? The best house on the block? Coveting the best house on the block? A great space to host international Summit guests? A welcoming environment for small groups? See with your eyes, interpret with your brain and heart.

Next Steps

Try this prayer today: Here are my eyes, Lord. Let me see how you see.