Luke 12:32 – 34 The Heart’s Treasure

Luke 12:32 – 34 The Heart’s Treasure

Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

This is a very short passage – three verses only – but so difficult and countercultural. First Jesus tells us we should not fear – this in an age rife with it, a time when 9 out of 10 voices we hear say “fear”, “strike before you are struck”, “protect what is yours”, etc. Apparently a lot of our problems in Jesus analysis come from what we have. We have, but we want more, and the getting of things is nearly all consuming. Then once we have, the keeping and protecting is exhausting as well, and cause us to do things that are against what God calls us to do – make war, be greedy, keep people down. We cannot hide our true heart from God – or from anyone else for that matter. And why? What good does all of this stuff do us? Instead Jesus tells us – the Father has given us the kingdom, all we have to do is take it. We can tone down our attachments to things, be more generous, take the time and energy thereby freed up to spend more time to be with our families, our friends, with God. To let go of the tension and anxiety our culture promotes. Jesus's love and hope for us come through strongly in this passage – Trust in God, be grateful for what you have, be generous with your gifts. God has given you the greatest gift – all you will ever need – access to the Kingdom. All you have to do is claim it.