“Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
“’Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.'” Luke 12:22-34
Jesus has a remarkable way of challenging the thinking of His hearers. Naturally inclined to fuss about what they might eat or wear, His disciples were asked to consider the ravens that flew, and the flowers that grew, and the God who oversaw and cared for them both. He taught them to look beyond their near-sightedness, rise above their fretting and scurrying, and seek His kingdom and how to contribute to it. Reoriented outlook makes for revamped priorities and deeper understanding of eternal treasure.
What occupies our mental and physical focus? Do we spend an inordinate amount of time looking in the pantry or closet, at our work or belongings, and never consider the One who provided them? Do we watch abroad and worry at the nations, getting caught in causes and crowds without pausing to gaze at lilies and marvel that their Designer and Sustainer is ours also? Anything that captivates our emotions and attention makes it hard to get to the fields where lilies neither toil or spin. Whatever we value most occupies the throne of our heart. If we would seek God’s invisible and heavenly kingdom first, He will tend to our earthly cares. (Colossians 1:16-17; Revelation 4:11)
What are my daily priorities, my life dreams? How aligned are these with the Lord’s imprint on my life by way of gifts, place, and call? How do I let momentary urgencies distract me from His wider kingdom purposes? How can I today seek first His kingdom?
“Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and Thou only the first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.” ~Old Irish, translated by Mary Byrne
Father, keep my treasure, hope, and satisfaction with You first and always.
As the rain and snow 