22 And He said to His disciples , " For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life , as to what you will eat ; nor for your body , as to what you will put on. 23 "For life is more than food , and the body more than clothing . 24 "Consider the ravens , for they neither sow nor reap ; they have no storeroom nor barn , and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds ! 25 "And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life's span ? 26 "If then you cannot e do even a very little thing , why do you worry about other matters ? 27 "Consider the lilies , how they grow : they neither toil nor spin ; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these . 28 "But if God so clothes the grass in the field , which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace , how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith ! 29 "And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink , and do not keep worrying . 30 "For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek ; but your Father knows that you need these things . 31 "But seek His kingdom , and these things will be added to you.
32 " Do not be afraid , little flock , for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom . 33 " Sell your possessions and give to charity ; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven , where no thief comes near nor moth destroys . 34 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also .
35 " Be dressed in readiness , and keep your lamps lit . 36 "Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast , so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks . 37 "Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes ; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them. 38 " Whether he comes in the second watch , or even in the third , and finds them so , blessed are those slaves. 39 " But be sure of this , that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming , he would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 40 " You too , be ready ; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 12:22-40
Commentary on Luke 12:22-40
(Read Luke 12:22-40)
Christ largely insisted upon this caution not to give way to disquieting, perplexing cares, Matthew 6:25-34. The arguments here used are for our encouragement to cast our care upon God, which is the right way to get ease. As in our stature, so in our state, it is our wisdom to take it as it is. An eager, anxious pursuit of the things of this world, even necessary things, ill becomes the disciples of Christ. Fears must not prevail; when we frighten ourselves with thoughts of evil to come, and put ourselves upon needless cares how to avoid it. If we value the beauty of holiness, we shall not crave the luxuries of life. Let us then examine whether we belong to this little flock. Christ is our Master, and we are his servants; not only working servants, but waiting servants. We must be as men that wait for their lord, that sit up while he stays out late, to be ready to receive him. In this Christ alluded to his own ascension to heaven, his coming to call his people to him by death, and his return to judge the world. We are uncertain as to the time of his coming to us, we should therefore be always ready. If men thus take care of their houses, let us be thus wise for our souls. Be ye therefore ready also; as ready as the good man of the house would be, if he knew at what hour the thief would come.