What Jesus Did

[Jesus continued,] "Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."

—Luke 12:33-34 NLT

Key Thought​

"What are your primary investment strategies?" I can still remember a financial planner asking me that question. It wasn't...

 

[Jesus continued his teaching about not worrying:] "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. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
"And don't be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don't worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts...

 

Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life — whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can't accomplish a little thing like that, what's the...

 

[Continuing his warning against greed, Jesus] told them a story: "A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, 'What should I do? I don't have room for all my crops.' Then he said, 'I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 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!"'
"But God said to...

 

Then someone called from the crowd, "Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father's estate with me."
Jesus replied, "Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?" Then he said, "Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own."

—Luke 12:13-15 NLT

Key Thought​

Most of us can really get upset when someone cheats us financially. Yet incredibly, nearly everyone gets cheated sometime! There are plenty of people...

 

[To his disciples, Jesus continued,] "And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don't worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said."

—Luke 12:11-12 NLT

Key Thought​

As seen in yesterday's devotional, Jesus warned in the previous verse [1] against blaspheming the Holy Spirit. By contrast, in today's verses, Jesus told his disciples that the Holy Spirit...

 

[Jesus continued,] "Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven."

—Luke 12:10 NLT

Key Thought​

We can certainly be thankful that past blasphemies and past rejections of Jesus will not be held against us when we repent and come to him. But what about the "unforgivable sin" of blaspheming the Holy Spirit? It is unforgivable only if we continue to attribute the work of Jesus to Satan and not the Holy...

 

```markdown
[Jesus continued,] "I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God's angels. But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God's angels."

—Luke 12:8-9 NLT

Key Thought​

Confessing Christ is crucial! Confessing Christ can be costly in human terms. Christians in generations before us were sometimes put to death for saying, "Jesus Christ is LORD" rather than calling...

 

[Jesus continued,] "What is the price of five sparrows — two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows."

—Luke 12:6-7 NLT

Key Thought​

Jesus' words in the previous sentences were strong; [1] some would even say his words were harsh. Jesus reminded us in today's verses, however, that God's desire is not to punish, harm, or bring...

 

[Jesus continued,] "Dear friends, don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. But I'll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he's the one to fear."

—Luke 12:4-5 NLT

Key Thought​

Most of us, me included, much prefer to speak about God's grace, love, and mercy. Every once in awhile, however, we hit one of those "shake you to the core" passages that remind us of God's...