Luke 12: 22-31 – Do not be anxious about what to eat or what to wear.

Divine Care and Human Anxiety

In the gospel according to Luke 12:22-31, Jesus instructs His disciples not to worry about their material needs, but to trust in divine care. In this Bible study, we will explore the implications of this teaching and what it means to depend on God instead of our own strength.

Verses 22-24: Don’t worry about life

In Luke 12:22, Jesus begins by saying, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will put on; for life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.”

We humans tend to worry about our most basic needs like food and clothing. However, Jesus teaches us that there is more to life than that. He is saying that we should trust that God will provide us with what we need and that our worrying will not help us get more than we already have.

Jesus continues in verse 23, “Consider the ravens, which neither sow nor reap, neither have storeroom nor granary, and God feeds them; how much more valuable are you than birds?”

Here, Jesus uses a concrete example from nature to illustrate his point. He tells us that crows don’t have to work to eat. Rather, God takes care of them. If God takes care of ravens, how can he not take care of us, who are much more valuable to him than birds?

In verse 24, Jesus concludes, “And which of you by being diligent can add a cubit to his stature?”

Jesus is saying that our worrying will make no difference in our lives. Worrying will not help us grow physically, emotionally, or spiritually.

Verses 25-28: Don’t worry about the future

In verse 25, Jesus continues, ” And which of you by being diligent can add a cubit to his stature?”

Jesus reminds us that our lives are short and that worrying about the future is not productive. He tells us that our life is like a flower that quickly grows and withers. We cannot control the time we have on earth, but we can control how we use that time.

Jesus continues in verse 27: “Consider how the lilies grow, they do not toil or spin; and I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”

As in the previous verse, Jesus uses another example from nature to show that God takes care of everything in our lives. He tells us to look at the lilies that grow effortlessly and are still beautiful. If God takes care of the flowers and clothes them with beauty, how will he not take care of us, who are much more important than them?

In verse 28, Jesus concludes, “Now if God so clothes the grass that today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more you, men of little faith?”

Jesus is saying that we should not have little faith in God. If He takes care of the flowers that are temporary, how much more will He take care of us who are eternal?

Verses 29-31: Seek first the Kingdom of God

In verse 29, Jesus continues, “So do not seek what you will eat or what you will drink, and do not be anxious.”

Jesus is saying that we shouldn’t worry about what to eat or drink. These are basic needs, and God already knows we need them. Instead, we must seek first the Kingdom of God, and everything we need will be given to us.

Jesus continues in verse 30, “For all these things the nations of the world seek; but your Father knows that you need them.”

Jesus is reminding us that the people of the world are desperately looking for their material needs, but God already knows what we need before we even ask.

In verse 31, Jesus concludes , “Seek rather the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you.”

Jesus is saying that we must seek first the Kingdom of God, which is more important than our material needs. And if we seek God first, all other things will be added to us.

Conclusion

In summary, Jesus teaches us that we should trust in divine care rather than worrying about our material needs. God knows what we need before we even ask, and if we seek His Kingdom first, He will add everything else to our lives.

This teaching is especially relevant in our day, when anxiety and fear are common. Jesus’ message invites us to abandon worry and trust in God, who takes care of us with love and care.