12:22–23 Verse 22 connects to the previous paragraph with the word “therefore,” and the point of the entirety of verses 13–21 is the danger of not being rich toward God. If disciples become anxious and consumed with their physical lives, with food and clothing, they reveal that God is not their treasure. The connection is confirmed by verse 34, where this section ends by emphasizing that our treasure is where our heart is. We saw earlier that the Word of God can be choked out by worry over riches (8:14; cf. Phil. 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:7). Instead of being consumed with anxiety, we are to pray that the Lord would provide our daily bread (Luke 11:3). The reason we are not to worry is because life is about more than food or clothing (12:23). If the disciples become fixated on such things, they forget that food and clothes are provided so that we can live in relationship to God and to others. The purpose of life is distorted if the means of life (food and clothes) become its meaning.

12:24 Anxiety does not fit with the lives of disciples, because God provides for his own; we see this even in ravens. Such birds do not plan for future provision by sowing or reaping; neither do they have any food in storage—unlike human beings, who pile up food in barns. Still, God provides for them. Two OT verses are echoed. “He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry” (Ps. 147:9). We find a similar notion in Job 38:41: “Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and wander about for lack of food?” The argument is from the lesser to the greater: if God provides for ravens, he will certainly care for his own. We should not we read Jesus’ words as forbidding sowing, reaping, or investment. He argues not against working but against worrying.

12:25–26 Another problem with worrying is that it is completely useless. Worry does not add a single hour to one’s life. In fact, we know that worry and distress can actually shorten our lives. When we worry, as Peter tells us, we have forgotten or are failing to believe that God cares for us (1 Pet. 5:6–7). Paul reminds believers that they are not to worry but to pray to God (Phil. 4:6–7). Worry is completely useless because it does not help one whit; it accomplishes absolutely nothing.

12:27–28 Jesus’ disciples are to consider the ravens (v. 24) and now the lilies. Jesus probably points to beautiful lilies spread over the countryside where he is teaching. Lilies do not engage in hard labor; they do not work hard stitching together their clothing. Nonetheless, the natural beauty of such flowers is greater than the stunning glory of Solomon in his prime (cf. 1 Kings 10:4–7). Jesus’ point is not that human beings should not toil or work hard; nor does he suggest that we should abstain from sewing. Once again, he speaks against worry. The point is made even clearer in Luke 12:28: even the grass in the fields, which lasts for a short while (Pss. 37:2; 90:5; Isa. 40:6) and then is put into the furnace, is provided for by God. This is another argument from lesser to greater: God cares more for human beings, for Jesus’ disciples, than for the grass of the field. When we give way to anxiety, we forget that we have a kind Father, revealing that we are a people with “little faith.”

12:29–31 The issue is not working, laboring, investing, or planning but what disciples are seeking. They are not to pursue avidly what they eat or drink, for such seeking betrays worry and anxiety. Such seeking characterizes Gentiles, the nations, pagans—unbelievers. But believers are to live differently because we have a Father, and the Father loves us as his children. He knows what we need and supplies it. Believers are to seek not food and drink but the kingdom of God, so that his kingdom is their ultimate priority, not comfort or safety.

12:32 Believers are tempted to worry and to fear, but they are summoned not to fear, for they have a Father who cares for them. When disciples fear, they are not putting their trust in God who loves them and provides for their every need. One reason believers are prone to fear is that they recognize their weakness and insignificance; but God knows that we are a “little flock.” So too Israel is told not to fear, even though it is a “worm,” because Yahweh helps his people (Isa. 41:14). And, despite our smallness, it gives the Father pleasure and delight (cf. Luke 2:14) to grant the kingdom to his disciples. Disciples are to seek the kingdom, but they will find at the end of the day that the kingdom is a gift (cf. 22:29; Dan. 7:18, 27).

12:33–34 Freedom from anxiety is demonstrated when disciples sell their possessions and provide for the poor. This admonition should not be interpreted to say that all possessions must be sold by Jesus’ disciples. Still, the rich ruler will be called upon to give up all that he owns and to follow Jesus (Luke 18:22; cf. Acts 2:45). Zacchaeus, on the other hand, becomes a faithful disciple of Jesus but does not sell all his possessions, although he is remarkably generous in giving half of his possessions to the poor (Luke 19:8; cf. Tob. 4:8–10; Sir. 29:9–13). Mary, the mother of John Mark, does not sell her house (Acts 12:12) but uses it for the gathering of the church. Women who follow Jesus use their funds to provide for his ministry (Luke 8:3). Ananias is indicted not for failing to give all his money to the church but for lying about how much he has given (Acts 5:3–4). Money is to be used for the sake of the kingdom (Luke 16:9). True wealth consists not of money in the bank but in heavenly treasure. No thieves or corrosion can touch heavenly treasure, which lasts forever. The issue for the disciples is what they treasure, since the heart inclines toward that which is treasured.