Luke 12:26-30

Luke 12:26 (KJB)
If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

Then Jesus gives a statement that should cause much thought. If we are unable to add one cubit to our stature or height, then why should we be anxious about the other things in life which we are unable to control. Now this is not advocating some type of Christian fatalism but it is meant to provide a basis for placing our trust in God for all the necessities for this life. The word for “thought” in the Greek text carries with it the idea of “be anxious.” It is the same word used in verse 22 and 25. Jesus is trying to quell any anxiety that His followers may have in this life wanting us to know that all is under His control. Anxiety and faith cannot co-exist.

Luke 12:27 (KJB)
Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Jesus now picks another example from the world of botany. He asks the question, why would you be anxious for the clothing that you need? He points to the lilies of the field, and states that they grow and they grow without toil. They don’t spin either, that is, they do not make their own clothes. The lilies grow according to the way God created them and in the environment He created for them. In other words, the lilies grow without any effort on their part. God brings the rain and the sunshine and the combination allows them to grow without them doing one bit of work. In the same manner, God supplies our clothing as well. He knows how He created us and the needs we have to sustain our lives and He will not forsake us.

Then Jesus brings up King Solomon of which all the people would have been familiar. They would have known about his wealth and his wives and his opulent lifestyle. Yet, the possessions which Solomon had and all that surrounded him could not amount to the beauty of one of the flowers. When you look at the White House in Washington, D.C. and then see an Arizona sunset over the prairie, you tell me which would offer more beauty and inspiration? God’s natural creation always outshines the things created by man. What offers more beauty, a picture of Lower Manhattan in New York City or the Grand Tetons in Wyoming? What God creates, God can sustain without any problems.

Luke 12:28 (KJB)
If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Jesus now takes the most common item being grass and states that God clothes the grass of the field with the beauty of the color green and then soon after it is cast into the oven when it is dry. In that area of the world, people used to use dry grass and straw to fire up a furnace or a stove to cook with. So one day, the grass is green and the next day it is dry, usable only for fire, and since God allows this cycle to continue, would He not clothe His children. Then Jesus makes it a question of faith because anxiety and anxiousness are totally opposed to faith in God. One cannot claim to have faith in God while they are anxiously toiling for the world’s goods, even the necessities of life. If one can have faith that God can save you for eternity, don’t you think He could supply clothes and food?

Luke 12:29 (KJB)
And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

Jesus continues on and states that since He has just given examples of how the heavenly Father cares for His creation, it should teach us that we must never be in a state of anxiety for food, drink, clothing, or for anything for that matter. God’s creation is huge compared to our needs and if He can take care of it, He can take care of us. When was the last time the sun did not rise on time? When was the last time Springtime came late? God has everything under control and as a result of that knowledge, it should quash any anxiety we have.

Luke 12:30 (KJB)
For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

Jesus gives two excellent reasons for rejecting any anxiety on our part. First of all he states that the anxious of the world who concern themselves with as much wealth gathering as they can are the godless unbelievers. They can only believe in what they see. The true believer sees what they can believe. Secondly, God the Father, because of His omniscience knows what each and every individual believer needs. He knows we need water, food, clothing, and other necessities of life and therefore will care for us as He has proven daily caring for the other parts of creation.

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