Why Worry, Be Watchful! LK 12:22-48

This passage follows the story of the ‘rich fool’ who stored up for himself, but wasn’t rich towards God. Jesus encourages his disciples to be ‘rich towards God’ and not to worry about their lives. Ravens don’t sow or reap and they don’t store up in barns and yet God provides for them. God cares much more for us and besides worrying can’t turn back the clock even one hour. So why worry? Wild flowers don’t labor or spin and the grass of the field is better dressed than Israel’s King Solomon . God does this even though today the field is dressed in beauty and tomorrow it is burned up in the fire. We don’t need to worry about what we eat or wear. Unbelievers chase after these things, but disciples are to seek first the kingdom of God. (12:22-31)

Jesus assures the disciples that God’s cares for them and will provide for them (See also 12:4–12). They need not worry about life for the Father knows what they need, so they should seek first the kingdom and God will provide (12:30-31). Jesus warns against obsessing over the things of this world and being fixed on our narrow self-interest at the expense of others. God and his kingdom matter most. Jesus says that the Father was pleased to give them the kingdom.  

Jesus challenges them, and us as well, to sell our possessions and give to the poor. He wants them not to store up in barns like the ‘rich fool’, but to store up treasure in heaven. They are to seek first the kingdom and part of that is to be “dressed to serve”. They are to keep their lamps burning like the servant waiting for their master’s return from a wedding banquet. When their master returns, they hear the knock and immediately open the door when he knocks because they are watching and waiting. It will be go well for those servants who are ready for their master’s return. Then, of all things, the master himself will dress himself to serve and he will have his watchful servants recline at the master’s table and he will wait on them. The servants should be busy serving even if their master comes in the middle of the night. Jesus reinforces this by saying that if the home-owner knew the hour the thief would come; his house wouldn’t have been broken into. (12:32-38)

Jesus illustrates the attitude he wants his disciples to have as they wait for his return. We are to be like the servant who was dressed to serve with lamps burning.  Even if the master comes late into the night he finds them ready and he will reward them accordingly (12:35–38). Jesus says that we ought to be like the homeowner who stays alert because he doesn’t know when thieves may strike (12:39). In like manner, we must be alert for the Son of Man will come at an unexpected hour (12:40).

Then Peter wants to know if the Lord is telling this parable to them, or to everyone. Jesus responds by asking, “Who is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge to feed his servants at the proper time? The ready and busy servant will be rewarded at the master’s return. Then there is this sobering warning about a servant who says, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and then beats the other servants, and eats, drinks and gets drunk. The master will come unexpectedly and cut this one to pieces and assign him a place with unbelievers. Then Jesus lays down the principle that if you know God’s will and you don’t do it than you will suffer much. By comparison, if you don’t know God’s will and you do what is deserving punishment then you will suffer less. Those given much will be held responsible for applying what they know and much will be expected of those who have been given much. (12:41-48)

Jesus tells of a master who goes away and appoints a servant to run his household (12:41-42). The servant who looks after the master’s possessions is well rewarded (12:43–44), while the servant who exploits the other servants and neglects his duties is cut into pieces and assigned a place with the unbelievers (12:45-46). This isn’t literal since the servant is assigned a position ‘with the unbelievers’ after being ‘cut to pieces’. Jesus is clearly warning that his disciples are to serve people and not take advantage of them. In addition, those who know a lot will be have a lot expected of them. Those who neglect what they know will be punished more severely than those who know less (12:47–48). The passage warns all disciples, but Pastors, teachers, leaders and all those in authority will be held particularly responsible to apply what they know for the good of others. We must constantly ask ourselves if we are busy building up God’s people. God forbid that we store up for ourselves by taking advantage of people. We need not worry, so let us seek King Jesus, serve his people and watch for his return.