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This week we are continuing to look at Luke 12 and in particular, verses 22-34. Please read them every day this week and, if possible, use a different translation each day, asking God to open your eyes to fresh revelation from His Word.
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Luke 12:32-34 (NIV)
‘”Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 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.”’
When I was in school, as I went to an all-boys comprehensive school, there were about 30 other boys in each class. This meant that it was quite easy to ‘hide’ when I didn’t do my homework. The odds dictated that there would also be a significant number of other boys in my position and would be ‘picked on’ before I would. As a result, my progress could have been hindered by the sheer volume of pupils in the class. I can categorically say that my progress or lack of, was entirely down to me and my attitude to learning but there is an argument to be made to the contrary. My children went to a very small primary/junior school and the small class sizes meant that they had much longer teacher/pupil time than those in bigger schools. The ‘feeling’ in the school was entirely different to big schools and there was a family atmosphere and environment that certainly helped their education.
I have attended many small churches where the atmosphere is one of friendliness, inclusivity and love. When you’re in that kind of environment it’s easy to want to keep it that way and in some ways it’s difficult to really want any significant numerical growth. I know of several church leaders who believe that congregations are meant to be small in order to cultivate the right environment for discipleship. I’ve even heard some people use our verses today to highlight the importance of ‘staying small’.
Well, in our verses today, Jesus is talking to His disciples and in particular to a small number of people. I believe that instead of saying that small is beautiful, I believe that Jesus is saying that ‘even though you’re small’ at this time, God still cares for and loves you. This small group of people, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, would turn the world upside down and would extend the Kingdom of God remarkably in a short space of time. You may be part of a small church but be assured of His love. Also, I urge you to ensure that your heart is sold out for the Kingdom. If that is so, then we too, just like the disciples can achieve great things for the Saviour. Do not despise the day of small things, but don’t endeavour to keep things small either!
Even though the Kingdom is a gift, we are urged to seek it. In other words, it is something that we have to work for and maintain with effort. For example, a tree can’t grow without the rain and the nutrients contained in the soil. The roots are there by default but it has to ‘draw’ the water into the roots and then circulate it to the branches. There’s a whole load of work going on inside the tree. In the same way, we have been given the Kingdom but are required to work in order to maintain and extend it.
Lastly, Jesus says ‘For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ This is the balance verse for ‘sell your possessions’. Jesus isn’t necessarily giving a command to the entire church to give everything away. He’s establishing a principle and attitude of generosity that combats greed. All that we have has been given by God. How can we try to hold on to something that isn’t really ours anyway? My we keep His Kingdom at the centre of our lives and play our part in winning many people for the Lord.
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