Do not worry
Luke 12:22-34
Well, we’re in a series titled “Things I wish Jesus never said”.
And it’s been tough hasn’t it. I guess the clue is in the title!
We’ve been in Luke’s account of Jesus’ life and been focusing on sayings of Jesus that make us squirm a little. Words that unsettle us.
“Love your enemies.”
“Take up your cross daily.”
These aren’t exactly the feel-good slogans you’d put on a motivational poster!
They don’t sound easy, but at least they sound possible.
Today’s saying falls into a different category.
Luke 12:22, Jesus says: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry”
Just let that sink in.
Do not worry.
That sounds a bit like saying, “Do not breathe.” Or “Do not blink.” Or “Do not go to the toilet.”
You can try to stop, I suppose. But how long is that going to last?
Because worry doesn’t always feel like a choice, does it?
It creeps in. It follows us around. It wakes us up in the middle of the night. It has a habit of turning up just when we’re trying to enjoy ourselves.
And sometimes, the harder we try not to worry, the more we seem to worry!
Let me be honest with you. This past week, I’ve worried about this very sermon.
Will I have enough time to write something decent? Will I be ready? Will it actually be any good?
I’ve worried about money. Will we ever pay off our mortgage? Will there be enough?
I’ve worried about my family. How will they cope with the things they’re facing?
And yet Jesus says: “Do not worry”
Now what is Jesus doing here?
There’s this clip with American comedian Bob Newhart where he’s playing a therapist. It’s used in Gospel Coach training to show how NOT to coach.
And the client comes in – shares her problem: “she’s terrified of being buried alive in a box”.
And Newhart looks at her very seriously and says: “I’m going to tell you two words right now. I want you to listen to them very, very carefully. Then I want you to take them out of the office with you and incorporate them into your life.”
The client says: “Should I write them down?”
“Well if it makes you comfortable but it’s only two words and we find that most people can remember them”.
“Okay”
“Here they are: ‘Stop it!”
Is that what Jesus is saying here?
“Stop it. Just stop it”
Well no. Jesus is not a lazy therapist or a poor gospel coach.
He is a loving saviour. A kind physician. And he wants to do a work on our soul.
So, I want us to experience that today as we dig into these verses and see what they tell us about worry, the cause of it and the remedy for it.
What is worry – verse 22
So first of all, let us think about what worry is.
Notice the context of our passage. Jesus has been teaching in chapter 12.
First, he teaches a “crowd”, verse 1, a crowd so big that people are trampling on each other to listen to Jesus. And Jesus warns them about the Pharisees. And look at what he says, verse 4:
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you who you should fear: fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.”
Do you see the topic: “fear”.
Then in verse 13, a man steps forward and asks Jesus a question.
He’s a rich man and he’s asking about an inheritance.
And Jesus responds with the parable of the rich fool.
Do you see what Jesus is doing? He is speaking to a rich man with a problem about a rich man with a problem.
But then in verse 22 he turns to his disciples.
These were men who had left their homes, families and livelihoods to follow Jesus.
They don’t even know where their next meal is coming from and Jesus says:
“Therefore [in view of what I have just said], I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear”
Do you see the point?
Fear, worry and anxiety - they affect everyone, rich and poor alike.
Money can fuel our anxiety, but the problem isn't simply having too much or too little.
So, what is fear and anxiety? Well, they are related but not the same thing.
The diagnostic manual of psychiatry defines fear as “the emotional response to real or perceived imminent threat, whereas anxiety is anticipation of future threat.”
And both can be healthy responses to reality in a fallen world. What do I mean?
Well ever since Genesis 3 – ever since the first man and woman decided that the world would be better if they ran it themselves – the world has been filled with danger and threat.
Which mean fear and anxiety can be a healthy response.
Let me try to illustrate this. When I step out the door of Central Hall today and see a toddler stumbling onto Oldham Street with a bus fast approaching. What’s going to happen?
Fear will trigger a lightning reflex which causes me to grab the child and rescue them before they fall in front of the bus.
Fear is an alarm bell which triggers our rapid response system before we’ve even registered what’s happening in our brain. Do you see, it’s a good thing.
Anxiety triggers the same response system where the threat is merely perceived as possible.
And again, that can be a healthy and good thing when danger is lurking. Like when I’m on the M6 and traffic starts to slow in front of me. It’s good that my response system kicks in.
And you know – anxiety is not always described as a bad thing in the Bible. The word translated “worry” here in verse 22 – merimnao – is used elsewhere to describe a good response. Like in 1 Corinthians 7:32 where Paul says:
“An unmarried man is concerned [same word – worried] about the Lord’s affairs – how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned [same word] about the affairs of this world.”
Or Philippians 2:20 where Paul writes of Epaphroditus: “I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern [same word] for your welfare.”
So, there is a good and right concern. It is right to be concerned when a toddler is wandering towards a busy street.
It is good to be concerned about God’s glory, our family, our Christian brothers and sisters.
Jesus isn't condemning every feeling of concern about the future. He’s challenging the anxious preoccupation that believes that our safety and care depends on us alone.
What worry does to us – verse 25-26
Which brings us onto our second point. What worry does to us? The impact it has.
First of all, there is a physical component. Our muscles tense, we sweat, we feel discomfort in our stomach and chest.
Then there’s a psychological component. We feel restless, sleepless, irritable, unable to concentrate or think clearly. We catastrophize, overgeneralize and resort to black-and-white thinking.
And then there is a social component. Anxiety is contagious you see. We cling to other people for reassurance. We crush dissent because of our fear. We end up either over-functioning or under- functioning in group settings.
You’ve experienced it.
The parent who is over-anxious about their kids and constantly calling to check up how they are. Helicopter parenting.
And then of course there is the spiritual component. Our anxiety distances us from God.
We’ll come back to that in just a moment.
But what I want us to notice is the futility of worry. Look at what Jesus says in verse 25:
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”
Worry – the anxious preoccupation that believes that our safety and care depend on us alone - is a bit like being trapped in a maze with no way out.
You are going this way and that way, expending your energy for something which is completely impossible. You just hit a dead end.
Verse 25. Worrying cannot add a single hour to your life.
This week I went to the doctor to get something checked out.
Now it was a good idea to be concerned about it and get it checked out. That could prolong my life.
But I wasn’t just concerned. I was worried and that worry was completely pointless.
Worse than that. It robbed me.
Because worry is a thief.
Philip Ryken is so helpful on this.
Think about it: What happens when we worry?
Worry occupies our attention so that, instead of praying about our concerns, we worry about them.
Worry steals our rest. Keeping us up at night. Meaning that we are distracted when we’re supposed to be enjoying time with friends and family.
Worry steals our health as we feel the physical effects of our anxiety – high blood pressure, back pain, stomach issues. It can actually shorten our life.
Worry steals our godliness, as it tempts us to irritability, anger, laziness, or even overwork.
And it steals our joy. That is the impact of worry.
Why we worry – verses 23-31
So thirdly, what is it that causes us to worry? That’s verses 23-31.
Before we go any further though, let me say something about anxiety disorders.
An anxiety disorder occurs when the physical, emotional and mental symptoms of worry induce feelings of fear and worry, which trigger more anxiety trigger a vicious circle.
Anxiety disorders are real, and some of us here experience them because of trauma, illness or vulnerabilities we did not choose.
In such situations, medical and psychological help can be both wise and genuinely helpful.
Jesus is not denying those genuine problems.
Nor is he saying that the fact you still feel anxious means you are failing to trust God.
Sometimes our minds and bodies continue to sound the alarm even when we know we're safe. And sometimes the circumstances we're facing really are frightening.
No, what Jesus is doing here is putting his finger on something that affects all of us and causes all of us to worry: the desire to secure our own future by taking control of everything we can.
Take a look at verse 23. Jesus says: “Don’t worry, because there’s so much more to life than food and clothing, mortgages and bills. And God has it all under control.”
And then he gives us three examples of God’s total reliability.
Firstly, there’s the ravens – v. 24– they’re insignificant. The Law describes them as unclean animals. They certainly can’t produce food for themselves. And yet God makes sure that each and every day they’re fed.
Secondly, think about the lilies – v. 27. They can’t weave or make clothes for themselves. They don’t have cash to buy Gucci or Prada. And yet they’re better dressed than the best dressed man who ever lived - Solomon - Israel’s equivalent of David Beckham or George Clooney. Why? well because God looks after them.
Thirdly, verse 28, think of the grass – so insignificant that as soon as it’s cut, it’s thrown on the fire. And yet when it’s in the ground it’s wonderfully clothed in dazzling green.
Then look at verse 30. Because this is the key verse. Do not worry about what you will eat or drink. Why?
Because the pagans run after all such things, but you have a Father who knows that you need them.
Tim Keller is super helpful here. He points out that the pagans had gods. They had deities that they went to in order to get what they want. They’d plead and sacrifice to them.
Even those who didn’t have gods went to their princes or masters in order to get what they need.
To get security, approval, comfort.
And they never knew whether they’d get it. They never knew whether their god could deliver or would deliver. Whether they had the necessary power and resources. Or whether they are good.
And what Jesus is saying here is: That is not your God.
You don’t have a god like the pagans. You have a Father.
And this is where money comes into the picture. That is the context of this passage remember.
Jesus has just told the parable of the rich fool – verse 16.
A man has a bumper harvest. Update that to the 21st century Manchester and read: “The teacher received a double increment in her annual review”, “the entrepreneur saw the value of his company double”.
Nothing wrong with that. It’s good to make money and be successful.
But look at verse 18, the man says: “This is what I’ll do. I’ll build a bigger barn and store all my grain it.
That will mean that I get security – I’ll have money stored away for a rainy day.
I get approval – all my neighbours will be impressed by my wealth and status.
And I’ll get comfort. “I will eat, drink and be merry.”
But God says: “You fool. This very night your life will be demanded from you. And your barns – well they’ll stay here.”
Are you starting to get the picture? Do you see what money does? Do you see how it fuels our anxiety?
The pagans looked to their gods to provide for their needs.
We look to our money. We think that will give us control.
We think if we earn enough money to own that house, drive that car, send our kids to that school, people will respect us. They will know that we matter.
If I earn enough money to have a big pension, to pay off my mortgage to pay for private health insurance, then I’ll be secure. I’ll be safe.
If I earn enough money to holiday in the Caribbean, to have a Man City season ticket, to go for a spa day, then I’ll be satisfied.
The problem is:
One, money is so uncertain. I mean it is.
We can lose our job like that. Health can prevent us from working. Our bank accounts can be emptied by a fraudster. Our house might burn down and the insurer not pay out.
So we keep working and worrying, never sure we have enough. It doesn’t matter whether we’re rich or poor, that will be our default setting.
At the peak of his wealth, John D Rockefeller had a net wealth of 1% of the US economy. That makes even Elon Musk look like a pauper by comparison. Rockefeller was once asked: “How much is enough?” His reply: “just a little bit more”. Money is uncertain. We never have enough.
And secondly, money doesn’t ultimately provide any of those three things we long for: approval, security or comfort. Why? Because death will rob you of them all. And no amount of money can stop that.
Money is a rubbish god. It promises omnipotence but delivers fear and anxiety.
…
Can you remember a time when you weren’t worried?
I can. I was 4. I was happy, living with my parents and two sisters. I knew that I was loved. I knew that my parents would keep me safe. I had everything I wanted and was secure in the knowledge that I had that unconditionally. It was unimaginable that my parents could let me down.
Of course, all that was debunked by the age of 6 when I realised that my parents were not all powerful and so could not rescue me from every harm imaginable.
And I know some of you have never had that experience because your parents did not care for you the way they should.
But do you see the point? Do you see the sort of God we need? Not one who needs us like the pagan gods, or lets us down like money.
A God who is the ultimate Father. One who loves us unconditionally. Who delights to give us the approval, security and comfort we desire.
And one who is all-powerful. Who can actually deliver.
And Jesus says: “that’s what you have” – verse 30.
The remedy for worry
Which brings us onto our final point – the remedy for worry – that’s verses 30-34.
Two things I want us to see as we close. Two applications.
Firstly, pray. Verse 31: “But seek his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well.”
One of the reasons that money is so deceptive is that we think it gives us control, and we think that we know best. I mean that’s true isn’t it.
We think we know best how to protect our physical and mental health
Know best how to find comfort and satisfaction
Know best how to provide financial security for our future
Know best how to raise our children
Know best where to live and what to do.
The problem is we don’t.
Look again at verse 30: “Your father knows that you need them”.
There is only one being in the whole universe who is omniscient – all knowing. It’s not you. And it’s not me.
It’s the one you get to call “Father” if you’re a Christian. He knows you, he loves you and he has power to give you everything you need.”
Do you ever feel like God doesn’t answer your prayers. I do sometimes. But what I really mean is that he doesn’t say “yes” to all the things I ask for.
But what he does do. And this is really important: he gives me everything I would have asked for had I known everything that God knows.
I’ll say that again. He gives me everything I would have asked for had I known everything that God knows.
That’s what it means to “seek his kingdom” – verse 31. It is to pray the Lord’s prayer: “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
It is trusting that God knows best and will do what is best for me even when I don’t understand it.
So, pray. Seek his Kingdom. That is the first remedy for worry.
Secondly. Give – that’s verses 33-34.
Do you remember the big point of Matt’s sermon last week. What does it mean to take up your cross daily.
Matt said it means: “on a regular basis putting yourself in a position of vulnerability because you are serving Christ.”
Putting yourself in a position of vulnerability because you’re serving Christ.
Now that’s interesting isn’t it.
Our world says, do you want approval? Well, make something of yourself. Go, get yourself the things that people admire.
Do you want security? Well take, save, accumulate. Fill your barns.
Do you want comfort? Acquire, consume, control, enjoy.
Look after yourself. That’s what the world says.
But the gospel says, relinquish control. Don’t take. Give it away.
I mean that’s what Jesus did.
Christ relinquished honour – being despised and rejected – in order to secure our own acceptance.
He embraced vulnerability – leaving the fortress of heaven to unite himself to weak and frail flesh – so that he could secure our future.
He endured suffering- exchanging the exorbitant luxury of heaven for the cruel nails of the cross – so that he could bring us joy.
He took the punishment we deserve so that we could inherit the future he secured: a world without pain, suffering or sickness.
And did he worry? Well in one sense I guess he did. Remember the word means concern. It was out of concern for us that Jesus went all the way to the cross.
And of course, his body felt the threat of future harm. Remember at Gethsemane, he sweated blood as he anticipated what it would be like to face God’s righteous judgment against us on the cross.
But he did not worry in the sense we read about here. You know why? Because he knew His Father. At Gethsemane he cried out “not my will but yours be done”.
And he endured the cross scorning its shame – that’s how Hebrews 12:2 puts it – “for the joy set before him”.
Friends, money is a wonderful servant but a terrible master.
If we look to it for our ultimate security, our approval and our comfort, it will never give us what we need.
There will always be another bill to pay, another risk to guard against, another achievement to pursue, another reason to worry.
But Jesus offers us something better.
Verse 32: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”
Notice what Jesus doesn't say. He doesn't say that nothing frightening will ever happen to you. Remember last week. He doesn’t say you won’t suffer or you’ll always understand what God is doing.
No, he says you have a Father.
A Father who knows what you need and who is pleased – delighted - to give you his kingdom.
Now do you see what that does?
It frees you to give – to give generously to the poor – v 33 – and to gospel ministry.
Because we have given up believing that we need to accumulate to make ourselves invulnerable.
We know that our future rests not in the size of our bank accounts but in our Father’s hands.
And when we give with radical generosity, do you know what it does to you?
It doesn’t win you God’s favour. You already have that.
But it will take your heart to where you really belong.
To your father in heaven. Verse 34. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
So here is the question today. Not simply: “Can you stop worrying?”
But this: “Will you stop trying to secure your future by holding on to everything so tightly? Will you let Jesus unloose your hand?”
So, pray. Seek his kingdom.
Give. Hold your possessions with open hands.
And embrace the one who lovingly holds your future in his eternal hands.
