September 11, 2025

Today’s passage was one of my grandpa’s favorites. I do not know all of his reasons but as a farmer who lived through several wars and the Great Depression, and with a large family to care for, he may have been prone to fear. After all, he had experienced the tenuousness of peace, the instability of money, and the unpredictability of crops. What I do know is that my grandpa fully trusted Jesus for salvation and believed all of God’s promises, so he found true comfort in these words. I believe they also must have inspired his generosity. He was known to ask people if they were sure he paid them enough. And he covered his own car repairs after an accident, saying he had more money than the person who was at fault. 

As we continue to explore reasons the church practices giving as an aspect of public worship, let’s be reassured and encouraged like my grandpa as we hear Jesus tackle another obstacle to giving: fear.  

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 fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

Luke 12:32-34 NIV  

Jesus has already challenged His followers to seek God’s kingdom, trusting Him to provide for their daily needs instead of storing up for themselves. But taking this leap of faith is scary! Relying on our storerooms, savings, full pantries and closets seems safer than relying on God’s invisible hand. Jesus acknowledges this, calming our fears with the assurance that when we seek His kingdom, God will be delighted to give it to us. And the promise of God’s kingdom provides far more than food and clothes. “It means simply and staggeringly and unspeakably that the omnipotent rule and authority of the King of the universe will be engaged forever and ever on behalf of the little flock of God.” *  

 Jesus calls us to imitate the lavish generosity of God by selling our possessions and giving to the poor. This provides us with indestructible treasure in heaven and keeps our hearts right there with God. In so doing, we also imitate Jesus.  

 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 

2 Corinthians 8:7-9 

This message to the disciples is reassuring yet radical! But there is no need to fear. If you have trusted Jesus as your Savior, you have been given God’s kingdom. As a participant in God’s kingdom you will receive far, far more than you will ever give.  

*https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/it-is-your-fathers-pleasure-to-give-you-the-kingdom, accessed 9/2/25 

Questions for reflection and discussion:  

  • Has fear ever kept you from giving?  
  • How might you need to reevaluate your priorities and possessions to align with where God wants you to place your treasure?  
  • Have you trusted Jesus as your Savior? If so, God is pleased to give you His kingdom now and for all eternity. If not, what is holding you back from trusting Jesus and entering God’s kingdom today?   
  • If you decide to trust Jesus and enter God’s kingdom today, please let someone know about your decision: a friend or someone at Wheaton Bible Church. Or check out this additional resource: https://peacewithgod.net/. 

Church Reading Plan: 2 Samuel 6; 1 Corinthians 16