Luke 12:22-34
Seek His Kingdom
Read the passage
22Then 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.
23For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.
24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouse or barn; yet God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds!
25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
26So if you cannot do such a small thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27Consider how the lilies grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these.
28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith!
29And do not be concerned about what you will eat or drink. Do not worry about it.
30For the Gentiles of the world strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
31But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added unto you.
32Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.
33Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Jesus tells His disciples not to be anxious about their life, what they will eat, or their body, what they will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.
He points to ravens. They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouse or barn, and God feeds them. The disciples are worth more than birds. Worry cannot add a single hour to life.
Jesus points to lilies. They do not labor or spin, yet even Solomon in glory was not clothed like one of them. If God clothes grass that is here today and thrown into the oven tomorrow, He will care for His disciples.
The disciples should seek God's kingdom, and the Father delights to give it to them. They are to sell possessions, give to the needy, and make treasure in heaven. Jesus locates the heart where the treasure is kept.
The Father knows their need before they solve it, and he is pleased to give them his kingdom. That promise comes before the command to sell and give. They do not have to secure their place with him by accumulating enough, or buy it through generosity. His care frees them to loosen their grip on possessions and use them for someone else's good.
Questions
1 What does Jesus tell the disciples not to be anxious about?
AnswerHe tells them not to be anxious about their life, food, body, or clothing. He says life and the body are more than these needs.
2 What do ravens and lilies illustrate?
AnswerRavens are fed by God, and lilies are beautifully clothed without labor. Both illustrate the Father's care for His creation.
3 What should the disciples seek?
AnswerThey should seek God's kingdom, trusting that the Father knows their needs and delights to give them the kingdom.
4 How does treasure affect the heart?
AnswerThe heart follows its treasure. Generosity toward the needy relocates security from stored possessions to God's kingdom and care.
What This Means for Us
Jesus is not telling families to ignore work, planning, or real needs. He is confronting anxiety that treats possessions as the only reliable protection and makes accumulation the center of life.
When money worries fill a conversation at home, make room to name both the need and the Father's care. Ask for the help you need. Then consider what you can share with someone else—a meal, an item you no longer need, or part of what you have set aside. Jesus connects trust with generosity, even while he knows why we are afraid.
Prayer
Father, You know what we need. Quiet our anxious grasping, make us generous toward the needy, and teach our household to seek Your kingdom with confidence in Your care. Amen.