Series: Our Primary Concern
Part One: Is It God's Kingdom?
By: Kristen L. McNulty
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The other morning during my devotions, I came across a verse in Luke that has really stuck with me. Jesus, after talking about worrying instead of trusting said: "[God] will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern" (Luke 12:31).
What really stuck with me is the part about making the Kingdom of God your primary concern. How in the world are we as Christians supposed to apply this? I mean, it sounds great in theory, but what does it look like lived out?
Fortunately in the verses following Jesus gives us the answers and although they aren't easy to put into practice they are answers. This is what Jesus said:
Verse 33- Sell what you have and give to those in need
Verse 34- Keep you heart and thoughts focused
Verse 35- Be ready and dressed for service
Verse 37- Be ready and waiting for Christ's return
I don't know about you, but my life is lacking in many of these areas. Tonight, I'm not even going to get into them. Right now, I'm going to read to you these verses in context from Luke 12:28-38. Then in the next couple of weeks we are going to examine them in greater detail.
So here is Luke 12:28-38, I'll be reading from the New Living Translation:
And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! And don't worry about food--what to eat and drink. Don't worry whether God will provide it for you. These things dominate the thoughts of most people, but your Father already knows your needs. He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.
"So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
"Sell what you have and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven have no holes in them. Your treasure will be safe--no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.
"Be dressed for service and well prepared, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. There will be special favor for those who are ready and waiting for his return. I tell you, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, there will be special favor for his servants who are ready!"
I'll leave you with that for tonight, but tune in next week as we will be looking at verses 33-37 in greater detail.
This devotional was aired as a part of the Making A Difference Christian Radio Show.