Luke 12 - 13 Don't worry about money

Sorry for my long hiatus! I have been keeping up with my daily reading but between some vacation time and other morning events I got a little behind and took my normal blogging time to catch up on my reading. I do miss the blogging time though as that is what forces me to process what I am reading and really think about what God is saying to me through the passages.

Luke 12 and 13 are both fairly long chapters so I don't want to comment on everything, but a couple of interesting things:

- Luke 12:8-9 "I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God." We don't face political persecution here in the US. I would never deny Jesus because I feared for my life. But I might be tempted to deny him when I think it might hurt me professionally. As I read this I am searching my memories and my heart to see if I am guilty of denying Him when He is not convenient. Also, I am thinking of ways that I might acknowledge him more often and in ways that are more honoring.

- Luke 12:20-21 (Jesus speaking of a rich man who had full storehouses) "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." Is anything talked about more in the Bible than how frequently money stands in the way of us having a deep relationship with God? This causes me to reflect back on my comment from the previous paragraph where I say I might be tempted to deny Christ if I fear it may cost me money. God has never ever failed to provide for us. We've had scary times, but it has always been taken care of. I know that God will not let me down, why do I feel like I need storehouses?

Luke 12:29-31 "And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well." Just in case I wasn't paying attention before, Jesus calls us out for worrying. Why are seeking after and worrying about things that God knows that we need? This shows our unbelief. Tell God you need it and then wait on his provision. Thank Him for the skills we have to provide wages. Set your heart on the kingdom of God and let God worry about the needs of this life.

Luke 12:33-34 "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. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." I remember blogging when I read the story of the rich young ruler than comes to Jesus with a perfect record of obedience and Jesus tells him to sell his belongings and give them to the poor and the man goes away sad as he can't bring himself to part with his money. I remember asking the question - what would I do if Jesus was asking me to do that? Oh great, in this verse he is asking me to do that. Now I'm going to have to think about that a little harder. What does it look like for me to give more to the poor?

Luke 13:6-9 Jesus tells the parable of a fig tree that is not producing fruit. When it fails to produce fruit for several years the man who owns it orders for it to be cut down. Why should it use up resources when it produces no fruit? This seems to be another recurring theme: bearing fruit. What does it mean to be bearing fruit? Converting followers to Jesus? The fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23? What can I do to increase my 'fruit production'?

So much these chapters are telling us! I think it all ties together with pursuing a crown that lasts. Not just training to finish, training to win. Loving Him at a level where we willingly give all we have to the poor if it means a deeper relationship with HIm. Do whatever it takes to know Him as well as I can and serve him as deeply as I can. How does my life change when I really and truly take this seriously?