Why Worry? God’s in Charge!

This message by Aleister Begg is made available by Truth For Life. For more information, visit us online at truthforlife.org. If you’d like to follow along in the pew Bibles and you’re unsure where Luke’s Gospel is, simply turn to page 737. You’ll find Luke Chapter 12, starting at verse 22.

Luke 12:22-34 – Do Not Worry

Jesus said to His disciples: “Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes. Consider the ravens. They do not sow or reap. They have no storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds? Who of you, by worrying, can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very small thing, why do you worry about the rest?”

“Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink. Do not worry about it. The pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 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 never be exhausted. Where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Father, I pray for clarity now, that You will help us in speaking and thinking. Grant us the sense of Your presence, which we cannot create, but certainly covet. Please give brevity with clarity and open our hearts to receive Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

In this passage, Jesus is offering guidance to His disciples. After addressing the crowd and telling the story of the rich fool, He speaks directly to His followers. He advises them not to worry about their lives. The word for “worry” here has its root in meaning “to divide.” When we worry, we are pulled in many directions, causing our thoughts to scatter. Worry can even prevent us from completing simple tasks and, most importantly, disrupt the wholehearted devotion Jesus expects from His followers.

In extreme cases, worry can paralyze individuals with panic. This overwhelming fear can strike unexpectedly, making them feel completely helpless. While extreme cases of worry aren’t common, anxiety and fear are something everyone experiences at some point. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel disconnected. People may struggle to identify where they come from, feeling rootless and lost in an increasingly unstable society. With fragile political structures, rising violence, and a sense of powerlessness, the fear and worry many feel is understandable.

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