Luke 12:31
(2009 – 11)
Bob Rakestraw
There is richness and depth in the promise of Jesus in Luke 12:31: “Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well” (NRSV). This posting will surely not exhaust the depth of the verse, but it will draw together our thoughts on the text by concluding the question we began to consider last time—“Jesus and Money: Does the Promise Really Work?” For this posting I ask the same question in a slightly different way—“Can Jesus be Trusted?” Last time I offered three reasons why it may seem to some people that this promise of Jesus is not true. In this piece I offer three more explanatory points that I hope are helpful.
1. We Are to Accept God’s Sovereignty
We easily forget that our God is the Sovereign Lord, and does what he wills according to his own good pleasure. We become very uncomfortable when our wants and then our needs begin to dwindle. Our necessities may not be coming in, or we are getting close to that point, and we then begin to doubt God. Even though my wife, Judy, and I have found the promise of Jesus to be consistently true during the forty-plus years of our marriage, we have had to rest in his sovereign care and accept that he works in his time and ways, not ours.
Over the years, Judy and I have gone through a foreclosure on our house, lost money that we had saved for our later years due to economic turmoil, and have often had very little money to buy even a few groceries. For several years we did not own a car. I received a heart transplant that has led to chronic rejection and numerous difficulties in daily living. I can truthfully say, however, that God has provided all of our basic needs every day of our lives. R.V.G. Tasker says it well: “His servants may not grow wealthy as the world understands riches, but they will not lack” (The Gospel According to St. Luke [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974], p. 215). You may lack money to buy junk food, excess food, restaurant meals, questionable entertainment, unnecessary clothing, cigarettes, and other non-essentials, but you will never lack for your daily bread and other daily needs.
2. We Are to be Givers to the Kingdom Work
We may not be giving to the needy as we should be. When times are tough, we instinctively want to hold on to the little we have. We assume God does not want us to give, or give much, when we are in difficulty. But this is one of the three mandates from our Lord in Luke 11:31-33. “Strive for his kingdom” (v. 31); “Do not be afraid, little flock” (v. 32); “Sell your possessions, and give alms” (v. 33). We are not to give only when we are comfortable in doing so, but consistently, through easy times and hard. We may need to give less when our income is less, but we are to never stop being cheerful givers. If you are down to two loaves of bread, and you discover that your neighbor has none, give one of the loaves to your neighbor. Don’t be foolish or boastful in your giving, but be merciful and joyful, trusting in God.
New Testament scholar Alfred Plummer has some fine words on this last point.
“[There is here] no condemnation of possessions as sinful. As Bede points out, Christians are not commanded to retain nothing for their own use (for Christ Himself had a purse out of which He gave alms), but to take care that fear of poverty does not interfere with benevolence. Almsgiving is not to be a mere giving of what we can spare. Nor is it merely for the sake of the receiver. It is also for the good of the giver, that his heart may be freed from covetousness. The attempt to keep the letter of the rule here given (Acts 2:44-45) had disastrous effects on the Church of Jerusalem, which speedily became a Church of paupers, constantly in need of alms (Romans 15:25-26; I Corinthians 16:3; 2 Corinthians 8:4; 9:1).” (The Gospel According to St. Luke [Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, Fifth Edition, 1922], p. 329).
3. We May Have to Endure Persecution
Sometimes God in his own wisdom, and for our ultimate good, allows his children to suffer severely. In the words of D.A. Carson: “I think the major exception to this pledge [Matthew 6:33; Luke 12:31] occurs when Christians are suffering for righteousness sake. Some are martyred by starvation and by exposure. The overwhelming importance of the kingdom may require self-sacrifice even to this ultimate degree” (The Sermon on the Mount [Grand Rapids: Baker, 1978], p. 93). This brings up the matter of God’s sovereignty again, applied to extreme cases. I am reminded of the biblical account of God’s people who suffered greatly: “They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, (Hebrews 11:37-38, NIV).
Such special cases, while grievous, do not negate the overall promise of Jesus. Some promises in the Bible may be overridden by the will of God in specific instances. God’s people have for centuries placed themselves in the care of the Lord, knowing that if outward circumstances turn sour, God will never leave them. If God allows suffering for his children, it is for their ultimate good throughout eternity, and for the growth of the kingdom of God here on earth (Hebrews 11:32-40). While we must never forget the persecuted church, and need to give to and pray for their care, we are not to live our daily lives focusing on possible exceptions, but dwelling rather on the general principle behind all of God’s promises: our heavenly Father continuously watches over his children with tender care, and provides all our needs as we strive above all for his kingdom and righteousness.
Ultimately, all of the matters in these six postings boil down to a simple threefold formula, already mentioned above, in Luke 12:31-34: strive for God’s kingdom, do not worry, and give cheerfully to the advancement of God’s kingdom on earth. Here is true peace, true joy, and true satisfaction in life. Here is freedom from anxiety, a reason for living, and a wise heavenly Father to trust in every circumstance. I close with a section of scripture that has become more and more special to me as the years have passed. May you make these words your own, all of your life.
“Though the fig tree does not blossom,
and no fruit is on the vines;
though the produce of the olive fails,
and the fields yield no food;
though the flock is cut off from the fold,
and there is no herd in the stalls,
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD;
I will exult in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength;
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
and makes me tread upon the heights.” (Habakkuk 3:17-19, NRSV)
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Jesus and Money: Does the Promise Really Work?
Luke 12:31
(2009 – 10)
Bob Rakestraw
Here is where the rubber meets the road! I have been considering the Bible text, Luke 12:31, for the past several postings, and now I must face the toughest question: Does the promise of Jesus in this verse really work? When the Lord says, “Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well” (NRSV), does he intend this literally and in all cases? In the context, as we have seen, “these things” refer to the food, drink, clothing and other necessities of daily living. Can we count on this promise, however difficult our circumstances may be?
Identifying the Problem
It is important to think about Bible promises that are verifiable in experience. If a verse teaches that everyone who sincerely receives Christ becomes a child of God (John 1:12), we may rejoice in this, and do what it says, but we cannot “prove” in some mathematical sense that this really happens. If we read that Christ died for our sins (I Cor. 15:3), we may celebrate that, but we cannot know this is true by objective calculation. But some scripture texts are verifiable (to some extent, at least, keeping in mind that spiritual truths can never be fully reasoned out or proven through science).
The scripture verse we have been considering for the past several blogs is a text that may be verified in experience. Jesus spoke of those who strive and become anxious about how they will obtain their daily necessities. He urged them to stop worrying and to seek God’s reign. If they did so, Jesus said, he would meet all of their needs.
For some people, however, this raises a difficult question: Does the Lord’s promise expressed here really “work”? Have the people of God over the centuries found these words to be true? God is making a huge commitment to his people, and he intends for this text to be a trustworthy guide for our lives.
I know that numerous Christ-followers have experienced the full blessing of these words. My wife and I are two of them—for forty-two years. I know many people personally who have followed the principle in this verse and have not lacked the essentials of life. I have heard numerous testimonies to this effect. But what about those who are not receiving the daily necessities of life? I know that many people around the world—including some who call themselves Christian—are suffering from malnourishment, unclean water, and terrible housing conditions. How are we to think about such people and such circumstances in light of Luke 12:31 and Matthew 6:33?
I hesitate to tread on such difficult terrain, but these questions must be addressed. Every promise in the Bible, properly understood, is meant to be believed and trusted, and the fulfillment of God’s Word should be evident in real life. Here are some possible reasons or explanatory points for those occasions when it seems that Jesus has not been true to his word.
1. We Are to be Christians
It may be that the ones in need are not really believers in Jesus. Luke 12:31 is clearly a text for Christ-followers. Note how Jesus in chapter 12 first addresses the disciples (vss. 1-12), then the crowd (vss. 13-21), then the disciples again (vss. 22-53) and then the crowd again (vss. 54-59).
While all people are children of God by creation, not all are his children by adoption. This verse applies to those who have been adopted into God’s family through faith in Jesus Christ. Mercifully, God often does supply the needs of non-Christians, especially through his people’s efforts. But the crimes against humanity, especially by corrupt political leaders and warlords, are a major source of hunger and poverty in this world. God grieves over this even as we grieve.
2. We Are to be Dedicated Christians
Another reason some people may think that this verse is only “pie in the sky,” and not a workable promise, is because they are not fulfilling the first half of the verse. After Jesus urges his disciples to stop worrying and striving about their food, drink, clothing (and no doubt other basics of life) he makes a sharp contrast: “Instead, strive for his kingdom.”
Some people—perhaps many who go by the name “Christian”—may be praying and pleading for God to supply their needs, yet they do not intend to change their selfish, sinful way of life. They may not even realize how far removed they are from the kingdom values of Jesus. The may be praying for a better job, a better car, a better apartment or living conditions, and when God does not seem to be answering, they may conclude that this promise is not true. The truth, however, may be that they are not seeking the kingdom above everything else. They are seeking first the necessities (and sometimes the luxuries) of life, and then perhaps think about God’s will (if they think at all about it). Jesus wants to reverse this order.
It struck me recently that Luke 12:22-34 is not teaching us to pray at all. It is good to present our requests to God (Philippians 4:6-7), but this text is urging us to do three things instead: (1) do not worry (vss. 22-30, 32), (2) strive for the kingdom (v. 31) and (3) give to the needy (vss. 33-34). Your Father knows your needs, and it is his good pleasure to give you the kingdom—material and non-material needs. We simply need to receive the provisions he has promised to supply, while concentrating on the three orders from our Master.
3. We Are to Expect Suffering
Some Christians forget (or never learn) that we are to expect trials and suffering in this world. Jesus is promising to supply all of our needs, not all of our wants. He often does fulfill many of our desires as well, if they are in accord with his best intentions for us. Our needs may not always be met according to our timetable, however, but they will come in God’s timing. Along this line I offer the following from D. A. Carsen.
”Some have been privileged to experience pressure to the point where they have had absolutely no recourse but God. I know a couple who, some years ago, were serving a small, lower class church in Montreal. On Christmas Day, the man distributed food packages, gathered by the church, to the destitute in the vicinity. He returned home to his wife, and both of them thanked the Lord for the food with which he had provided them—one can of beans. One half hour later they were invited out to a Christmas dinner” (The Sermon on the Mount [Grand Rapids: Baker, 1978], pp. 93-94).
In our next posting I expect to present some further explanatory points concerning the seeming failure of Luke 12:31. In the meantime I ask you to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness. If you are not yet a Christ-follower I urge you to read one of the four gospels and the rest of the New Testament, with a heart seeking God’s truth. Seek and you will find. If you are a believer in Jesus, seek him and his kingdom daily, and give to those in need. Finally, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”
(2009 – 10)
Bob Rakestraw
Here is where the rubber meets the road! I have been considering the Bible text, Luke 12:31, for the past several postings, and now I must face the toughest question: Does the promise of Jesus in this verse really work? When the Lord says, “Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well” (NRSV), does he intend this literally and in all cases? In the context, as we have seen, “these things” refer to the food, drink, clothing and other necessities of daily living. Can we count on this promise, however difficult our circumstances may be?
Identifying the Problem
It is important to think about Bible promises that are verifiable in experience. If a verse teaches that everyone who sincerely receives Christ becomes a child of God (John 1:12), we may rejoice in this, and do what it says, but we cannot “prove” in some mathematical sense that this really happens. If we read that Christ died for our sins (I Cor. 15:3), we may celebrate that, but we cannot know this is true by objective calculation. But some scripture texts are verifiable (to some extent, at least, keeping in mind that spiritual truths can never be fully reasoned out or proven through science).
The scripture verse we have been considering for the past several blogs is a text that may be verified in experience. Jesus spoke of those who strive and become anxious about how they will obtain their daily necessities. He urged them to stop worrying and to seek God’s reign. If they did so, Jesus said, he would meet all of their needs.
For some people, however, this raises a difficult question: Does the Lord’s promise expressed here really “work”? Have the people of God over the centuries found these words to be true? God is making a huge commitment to his people, and he intends for this text to be a trustworthy guide for our lives.
I know that numerous Christ-followers have experienced the full blessing of these words. My wife and I are two of them—for forty-two years. I know many people personally who have followed the principle in this verse and have not lacked the essentials of life. I have heard numerous testimonies to this effect. But what about those who are not receiving the daily necessities of life? I know that many people around the world—including some who call themselves Christian—are suffering from malnourishment, unclean water, and terrible housing conditions. How are we to think about such people and such circumstances in light of Luke 12:31 and Matthew 6:33?
I hesitate to tread on such difficult terrain, but these questions must be addressed. Every promise in the Bible, properly understood, is meant to be believed and trusted, and the fulfillment of God’s Word should be evident in real life. Here are some possible reasons or explanatory points for those occasions when it seems that Jesus has not been true to his word.
1. We Are to be Christians
It may be that the ones in need are not really believers in Jesus. Luke 12:31 is clearly a text for Christ-followers. Note how Jesus in chapter 12 first addresses the disciples (vss. 1-12), then the crowd (vss. 13-21), then the disciples again (vss. 22-53) and then the crowd again (vss. 54-59).
While all people are children of God by creation, not all are his children by adoption. This verse applies to those who have been adopted into God’s family through faith in Jesus Christ. Mercifully, God often does supply the needs of non-Christians, especially through his people’s efforts. But the crimes against humanity, especially by corrupt political leaders and warlords, are a major source of hunger and poverty in this world. God grieves over this even as we grieve.
2. We Are to be Dedicated Christians
Another reason some people may think that this verse is only “pie in the sky,” and not a workable promise, is because they are not fulfilling the first half of the verse. After Jesus urges his disciples to stop worrying and striving about their food, drink, clothing (and no doubt other basics of life) he makes a sharp contrast: “Instead, strive for his kingdom.”
Some people—perhaps many who go by the name “Christian”—may be praying and pleading for God to supply their needs, yet they do not intend to change their selfish, sinful way of life. They may not even realize how far removed they are from the kingdom values of Jesus. The may be praying for a better job, a better car, a better apartment or living conditions, and when God does not seem to be answering, they may conclude that this promise is not true. The truth, however, may be that they are not seeking the kingdom above everything else. They are seeking first the necessities (and sometimes the luxuries) of life, and then perhaps think about God’s will (if they think at all about it). Jesus wants to reverse this order.
It struck me recently that Luke 12:22-34 is not teaching us to pray at all. It is good to present our requests to God (Philippians 4:6-7), but this text is urging us to do three things instead: (1) do not worry (vss. 22-30, 32), (2) strive for the kingdom (v. 31) and (3) give to the needy (vss. 33-34). Your Father knows your needs, and it is his good pleasure to give you the kingdom—material and non-material needs. We simply need to receive the provisions he has promised to supply, while concentrating on the three orders from our Master.
3. We Are to Expect Suffering
Some Christians forget (or never learn) that we are to expect trials and suffering in this world. Jesus is promising to supply all of our needs, not all of our wants. He often does fulfill many of our desires as well, if they are in accord with his best intentions for us. Our needs may not always be met according to our timetable, however, but they will come in God’s timing. Along this line I offer the following from D. A. Carsen.
”Some have been privileged to experience pressure to the point where they have had absolutely no recourse but God. I know a couple who, some years ago, were serving a small, lower class church in Montreal. On Christmas Day, the man distributed food packages, gathered by the church, to the destitute in the vicinity. He returned home to his wife, and both of them thanked the Lord for the food with which he had provided them—one can of beans. One half hour later they were invited out to a Christmas dinner” (The Sermon on the Mount [Grand Rapids: Baker, 1978], pp. 93-94).
In our next posting I expect to present some further explanatory points concerning the seeming failure of Luke 12:31. In the meantime I ask you to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness. If you are not yet a Christ-follower I urge you to read one of the four gospels and the rest of the New Testament, with a heart seeking God’s truth. Seek and you will find. If you are a believer in Jesus, seek him and his kingdom daily, and give to those in need. Finally, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
