The Father’s Good Pleasure (Luke 12:32-34)

"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. ³³Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. ³⁴For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."—Luke 12:32-34

Promises motivate in two ways: Some promises are compelling. They act like carrots dangling in front of a donkey, urging and coaxing us on to gain treasure. Other promises are assuring. They act like a coat of armor as we go out to gain that treasure in the middle of a dangerous battle. We need both and this passage shows us why.

Jesus promises that if we sell our possessions and give them to the needy, we will gain a greater possession. He is compelling us with a promise to pursue the gain of joy in God in the new creation. This kind of wealth won’t ever let us down; it can’t be stolen, and it can’t be destroyed. The exchange rate in the new heaven and new earth is incomprehensibly great!

But Jesus knows this isn’t enough. Even if we feel compelled to sell our possessions for the sake of the poor, fear will try to talk us out of it. “What if I sell my assets and some emergency comes up? What if I lose my job? What if________?” Fill in the blank. The real question is, “Will God take care of me?”

So, Jesus gives another promise, a promise of assurance: “It is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”  Jesus is saying, “Don’t be afraid! God wants to make your life effective for his glory, and he will give you everything you need to do it. So maximize your joy in God forever with abandon. God will take care of everything you need to gain the kingdom!”

Finally, Jesus lets us know that our hearts will follow our investment. If we treasure God, our hearts will be with Him in fellowship. If not, we won’t have Him.

Jesus secured our fellowship with God forever at the cross. And He secured promises for us, as well as the power to believe those promises. By trusting them, and giving ourselves in acts of love, He gives us fuller and fuller enjoyment of our fellowship with God in the age to come and makes our hearts to follow our great Treasure: God himself.

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For Reflection

1. What sacrifices is God calling you to make for the sake of loving others?

2. What could you sell in order to give for the sake of the Kingdom?

3. In what practical ways can you fight fear with promises to enjoy Christ and pursue the spreading of his kingdom?