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12:24 Jesus looks to the natural world for examples of God’s providential care: ravens do not build barns and stockpile goods for the future, and yet they live; the owers are splendidly clothed without labor. Jesus is not telling his disciples to be lazy: he is telling them not to worry. Worrying and anxiety can be destructive. They can weaken our trust in God, and get in the way of faith. This simple advice of Jesus is some of the hardest to follow.
12:34 “Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” What do I treasure most? Where do my energy, interest, and passion go? Is my heart where it needs to be—with God?
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to myself, “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’k 20But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’ 21Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God.”*
Dependence on God. 22l He said to [his] disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life and what you will eat, or about your body and what you will wear. 23For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. 24Notice the ravens: they do not sow or reap; they have neither storehouse nor barn, yet God feeds them. How much more important are you than birds!m 25Can any of you by worrying add a moment to your lifespan? 26If even the smallest things are beyond your control, why are you anxious about the rest? 27Notice how the flowers grow. They do not toil or spin. But I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of them.n 28If God so clothes the grass in the field that grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? 29As for you, do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not worry anymore. 30All the nations of the world seek for these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31Instead, seek his kingdom, and these other things will be given you besides. 32Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.o 33Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy.p 34For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
Vigilant and Faithful Servants.* 35q “Gird your loins and light your lamps 36and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.r 37Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. 38And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants. 39s Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known
..k. [12:19–20] Sir 11:19.
l. [12:22–32] Mt 6:25–34.
m. [12:24] 12:7.
n. [12:27] 1 Kgs 10:4–7; 2 Chr 9:3–6.
o. [12:32] 22:29; Rev 1:6.
p. [12:33] 18:22; Mt 6:20–21; Mk 10:21. q. [12:35–46] Mt 24:45–51.
r. [12:36] Mt 25:1–13; Mk 13:35–37.
s. [12:39–40] Mt 24:43–44; 1 Thes 5:2.