Luke: Does Your Heart Need Healing

Wk 10, “Why Worry, It’s Only Money?”

Luke 12:22-34

2-12-2023

Darin Elquist

 

Message Notes

 

Intro to Luke Review

Written By: Luke

Date Written 80-110AD

Purpose: To provide an orderly account of the life of Jesus Christ. Not to prove these events, but simply to report these events.

Fun Fact: Luke is the only Gentile author in the New Testament

Luke 12:22-34
²² 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. ²³ For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. ²⁴ 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! ²⁵ Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? ²⁶ Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
²⁷ “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. ²⁸ 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! ²⁹ And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. ³⁰ For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹ But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
³² “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. ³³ 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. ³⁴ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

1. The Truth About Worry

Worry causes psychological and physiological issues.

Worry can be the cause of broken relationships

Worry- “To Strangle” or “To Choke” (Old English Definition)

Worry is an attempt to control things that you can not control

 

 

“Financial constraints capture a lot of your attention,

then there’s less bandwidth left to solve problems. Your cognitive ability starts to slow down, just like a computer.”

Eldar Shafir

These scientists had to figure this out after years of study. But you see, Jesus already knew that thinking about money issues clogs up our brain.

Luke 12:29-30
²⁹ And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. ³⁰ For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.

When your foundation for security is money, you will worry.

When your foundation for security is Jesus, you trust God to handle the things that you can not.

 

2. “I’ve Got Your Six”                               -God

Luke 12:15
¹⁵ Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

God had promised to meet all your needs, not all your greeds.

Luke 12:23
²³ For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

….” Seek His Kingdom, and these things will be given to you…”

 

3. Take Some Risks

Why I know I Can Trust God…

Luke 12:27-28
²⁷ “Consider how the wildflowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ²⁸ 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!

 

a. Look at the lilies… Look at the grass… Do some bird watching…..

 

b. You have an Inheritance

Luke 12:32
³² “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Risky Business-

a. Give to Those in Need

 Luke 12:33
Sell your possessions and give to the poor.

b. Give to God’s Kingdom/Support the Spread of the Gospel

Luke 12:31
But seek his kingdom,

Philippians 4:19
¹⁹ And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

God has you today, tomorrow, and in the distant future to come.

Give more, worry less and see what happens when you trust God instead of trusting yourself.

 

 

1.       What are some things that Luke focuses on in his gospel account?

          a. How does this compare to the other gospel accounts?

2.      Read Luke 22:22-34

          a. Are there any benefits at all for worrying?

           b. Is worrying a sin?  Why or why not?

           c. What are some things we worry about?

           d. Do any of these things have importance in this world?

            f. What about after this life, are any of them important then?

3.      Does the amount of income someone makes correlate to how much they worry?  Why or why not?

4.      What does it mean in verse 32 that God has given us the kingdom?

5.      What does the word worry mean?

6.      In verse 15, if life does not consist of an abundance of possessions, what does it consist of?

7.      Is there ever a time that God does not provide for us?

8.      How do we seek His kingdom referenced in verse 31?

9.      Read Philippians 4:19

          a. What are some of the ways that God has met our needs?

10.   Please pray for the leadership of the various government levels in our country. Pray for our church leadership. Pray for each other.