TO HAVE OR TO LIVE: The Lukan Message Ellis sums up well Luke’s main point and entitles 12:13–34 “To Have or to Live?”106 Two important themes in this section have come up already and will come up again. These are the issues of priorities (9:23–25; 17:33) and attitude toward wealth (5:11, 28; 12:33–34; 18:22). Here they are intimately associated. In the face of the arrival of God’s kingdom, to be concerned about inheritance rights and goods is folly indeed. Better to focus on the kingdom and allow oneself to be wronged (1 Cor 6:7) than to allow greed (Luke 11:39) to control one’s life. One cannot serve God and Money (16:13). Luke’s remedy in such circumstances was simple. Give to those in need (11:41; 16:9–12; 19:8). One can avoid becoming a slave to possessions by recognizing their temporary quality. The rich fool did not realize that he “owned” nothing. All he had—even his life—was on loan and could be called in at any time. Luke was telling Theophilus: “Friend, order your life in accordance with the one thing that is eternal—God. Let not greed for that which is temporary keep you from eternal treasure!” (16) Care and Anxiety (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 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 his life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 27 “Consider how the lilies 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, O 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 not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Context Having given a negative example of the principle in 12:15 in the parable of the rich fool (12:16–21), Luke provided a corrective to the believer’s relationship to possessions. What follows is material for the disciples, not for the crowds (cf. the introduction to the parallel material in Matt 5:1–2), for they alone know God as their Father (12:30, 32), are God’s flock (12:32), and possess the kingdom (12:32). The catchword that unites this section is the word “worry,” which occurs in 12:22, 25–26. (The synonym in 12:29 is also translated “worry.”) Two other sections on possessions will follow in 16:1–31 and 18:18–30.107 Jesus said the disciples need not worry about their need for daily bread or clothing. In his sovereign care of his creation, God feeds the ravens and clothes the lilies. Having established God’s care of these lesser species, Jesus completed his a fortiori argument. How much more, then, will God provide for his children. If the ravens and lilies do not worry, how much less should the disciples who, unlike the ravens and lilies, are conscious of God’s promises and loving care. Having prayed to their Father for daily bread (11:2–3), they need not fear. If evil parents take care of their children, how much more will God take care of his (11:11–13). Besides, who can change anything by worrying (12:25)? Unbelieving Gentiles might worry about such things, but believers need not, for they know that their Father realizes they need such things. Rather than worry about “things,” believers should concentrate on the concerns of the kingdom. Having focused their prayers on God’s kingdom, disciples should with singleness of mind focus their wills upon it as well (12:31a). God will provide the basic needs (12:31b). Luke then added a word of encouragement (12:32; cf. John 21:15–17): they are God’s “little flock.” Although insignificant to the world, they are nevertheless cherished by God. This is followed by a final exhortation to sell their possessions and give to the poor (Luke 12:33) and a proverb that summarizes the problem caused by the accumulation of possessions (12:34). Human desires and longings will be focused on the place where the person’s possessions are concentrated. Death either unites people with their heavenly treasures, which can never be taken away, or deprives them of everything (12:20–21). Stein, R. H. (1992). Luke (Vol. 24, pp. 352–354). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
Posted on: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 23:06:22 +0000
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