Today our Daily Bread Luke 12

Luke 12: 1 - 59
1 Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and crushing each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees – beware of their hypocrisy.
2 The time is coming when everything will be revealed; all that is secret will be made public. 3 Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!
4 "Dear friends, don't be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill the body; they cannot do any more to you. 5 But I'll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill people and then throw them into hell.
6 "What is the price of five sparrows? A couple of pennies? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. 7 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.
8 "And I assure you of this: If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I, the Son of Man, will openly acknowledge that person in the presence of God's angels. 9 But if anyone denies me here on earth, I will deny that person before God's angels.
10 Yet those who speak against the Son of Man may be forgiven, but anyone who speaks blasphemies against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven.
11 "And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don't worry about what to say in your defense, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you what needs to be said even as you are standing there."
13 Then someone called from the crowd, "Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father's estate with me." 14 Jesus replied, "Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?" 15 Then he said, "Beware! Don't be greedy for what you don't have. Real life is not measured by how much we own." 16 And he gave an illustration: "A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 In fact, his barns were full to overflowing. 18 So he said, 'I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room enough to store everything. 19 And I'll sit back and say to myself, My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!' 20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get it all?' 21 "Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."
22 Then turning to his disciples, Jesus said, "So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life – whether you have enough food to eat or clothes to wear. 23 For life consists of far more than food and clothing. 24 Look at the ravens. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not! 26 And if worry can't do little things like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things? 27 "Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 28 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! 29 And don't worry about food – what to eat and drink. Don't worry whether God will provide it for you. 30 These things dominate the thoughts of most people, but your Father already knows your needs. 31 He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.
32 "So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. 33 "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. 34 Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.
35 "Be dressed for service and well prepared, 36 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. 37 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! 38 He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. F61 But whenever he comes, there will be special favor for his servants who are ready! 39 "Know this: A homeowner who knew exactly when a burglar was coming would not permit the house to be broken into. 40 You must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected."
41 Peter asked, "Lord, is this illustration just for us or for everyone?" 42 And the Lord replied, "I'm talking to any faithful, sensible servant to whom the master gives the responsibility of managing his household and feeding his family. 43 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 44 I assure you, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 45 But if the servant thinks, 'My master won't be back for a while,' and begins oppressing the other servants, partying, and getting drunk – 46 well, the master will return unannounced and unexpected. He will tear the servant apart and banish him with the unfaithful. 47 The servant will be severely punished, for though he knew his duty, he refused to do it. 48 "But people who are not aware that they are doing wrong will be punished only lightly. Much is required from those to whom much is given, and much more is required from those to whom much more is given.49 "I have come to bring fire to the earth, and I wish that my task were already completed! 50 There is a terrible baptism ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. 51 Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to bring strife and division! 52 From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against – or the other way around. 53 There will be a division between father and son, mother and daughter, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law."
54 Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, "When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, 'Here comes a shower.' And you are right. 55 When the south wind blows, you say, 'Today will be a scorcher.' And it is. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but you can't interpret these present times. 57 "Why can't you decide for yourselves what is right? 58 If you are on the way to court and you meet your accuser, try to settle the matter before it reaches the judge, or you may be sentenced and handed over to an officer and thrown in jail. 59 And if that happens, you won't be free again until you have paid the last penny."
FOOTNOTES:F61: Greek in the second or third watch.
The New Living Translation
~Lena’s Comments~
A difference between a crowd and an assembly may be that a crowd gathers each for his-self, while an assemble gathers unto Him. When each is out for their own many will be crushed in the plight, while if they gather unto Him He will be glorified by the assembly. Even gathering to see Him is not the same as gathering unto Him, for Him. From the abundance of the depth of the well of ones heart comes that which if not revealed will corrupt the life forces within, if corruption is left on the inside hidden it will infilterate and stop the life within, therefore it must be revealed that it may be healed and uprooted. However hard and agonizing physical death is- it is of the temporary realm. It is only about the physical life of the here and now of earth. Where death of a spiritual nature is everlasting and of the eternal realm. No matter what is done to one’s body here or even their mind, will pass away, it is temporary in nature. BUT, if one allows what is done "to" them here to rule their spiritual lives and cause them to stay separated from God, from His Love, and from the functioning of His body here, they will find they only lived a very short time for what? For nothing at all. That is a hidden mystery that will be revealed. We will know all, all about what we knew nothing of here, we will know there, and we will feel great sorrow if we had not chosen to believe in and live 100% of our lives here for Him. The smallest of things we need are inside of God’s heart for us.
Most words that are spoken here that have to do with justice are not words that would justify ourselves. Most words that needs to be spoken here are words that point others towards Him, not towards ourselves. True justice is found in the blood of Jesus, injustice is when a person dies a physical death and does not know Him, never knew His plan for their lives and their influence for His kingdom in the lives of others. God’s enemy wants to keep us distracted. If we live for things we will not live for God, we will be too busy for God and our concerns stay focused on a natural level. If they stay there than we’ve lived for ourselves and an injustice is done in the earth. We cannot serve God and money. There is one call each man must answer.
Seeking first the kingdom of God is just what it says. What is it that is first in each waking day, the goal of the day? The thoughts of the day, the aspirations of life etc? Is He the center and source?
The part about the manager waiting for and serving the master makes me think of the genesis mandate, be fruitful, multiply etc. God gave this mandate to man from the beginning of time. He sent man to earth to take dominion on earth, not for man’s own pride of power, but for the salvation and demonstration of the love of mankind. We are stewards of God’s belongings.