Luke 12:32-34 32“Fear not, little flock, because it is your Father’s good pleasure to give to you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions, and give charitably. Make for yourselves moneybags that do not grow old, an unfailing treasure in the heavens, where a thief does not come near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
The phrase fear not has powerful implications within the Bible. Fear is debilitating and keeps people from experiencing all God has designed for them. Many things cause fear. In the context of these verses, disciples of Jesus might fear not having the necessities of life because of persecution. Many who heard Jesus on this day would face those challenges in only a few years as both religious and political leaders began to persecute Christians. Jesus reassures his followers in tender terms as the Good Shepherd who oversees his flock with compassion. Disciples can have assurance to face their challenges because God the Father is with them, and they are part of his kingdom. Since he is King, he will watch over all who are part of his kingdom.
Jesus’ exhortation takes a turn in verse 33, from comfort to commission. He addresses those who have the things of the world, the opposite of those addressed in the previous verses who lack the bare necessities. Those who have possessions should liquidate them and give the money to those in need. Those who have the resources can be the answer for those who lack from the previous verses. There should be enough resources among God’s people so that no one is hungry or clothed. The money bags that do not wear out are symbolic of investing in people. People are eternal in the sense of future resurrection and eternity. Things of this world will break, get stolen, or waste away. Why put so much effort into temporary when we could be investing in the eternal?
Verse 34 is the timeless truth that causes the listener and reader to pause and look into one’s motives and action. Treasure represents what is most important to a person. Some people make money their treasure. They accumulate it so that they can make their life more comfortable. That is not necessarily wrong because God does bless people, and making good financial decisions can be greater wealth. Some people work hard to get high paying jobs. However, blessings can turn into treasures when our hands are tight around them and we do not have giving attitude and action. Everyone will have some treasure that pre-occupies one’s thinking and determines how one acts. A treasure does not need to be wealth but can even be unhealthy habits.
Jesus challenges his disciples to look carefully at where their focus lies. If their focus is on gaining earthly wealth, they could miss God’s kingdom. The way to grow in God’s kingdom is to invest in people, especially those who are poor and need compassion. The kingdom’s blessings should be shared with others and are given to use for the specific purpose of helping others also become part of God’s kingdom.
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