Luke 12:32-34

Luke 12:32-34 “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 not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

These are very blunt words, very direct, not at all ambiguous. But then, does that mean all of us should sell our houses and give the money to the poor? The early church had everything in common, so they sold their property and land, distributing the money to whomever had needs. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. (Acts 4:34-35) Very strong words. In the Old Testament, all land belonged to the Jewish people in common. All tribes and all people were allocated land, but none of them owned the land privately or exclusively. Every 50th year, in the year of Jubilee, all land was returned to the original owners because God gave the land to the Jewish people, and since it was HIS LAND, it was his to allocate. God abided in the Jewish kingdom; therefore in God's economy the land was not a commodity that could be transferred to other people's hands indefinitely.

What about the above verses? Should we not own houses and land? Yes, we can own houses and land. When Jesus talked about the man wanting to build store houses to hold his abundance, He did not castigate this man for owning a house or land; He faulted him for not giving his abundance to God's work. Jesus reveals the man intended to hoard his wealth for his own purposes rather than feeding the poor. This is wrong. Jesus called him a fool for such an attitude, for God provided him the good soil and rain for his abundant crop. Jesus says to us, Do not be afraid, little flock, for the Father is pleased to allocate the kingdom to you. He has a more permanent abiding place to give you than where you presently dwell. Therefore, set your mind on that eternal kingdom, not on the temporal, quickly fading kingdom here. Fix your heart where real life exists, not on this finite existence. Don't allow earthly possessions to distract from God's reality. If material goods, houses, and lands keep your mind occupied with this earthly kingdom, get rid of them, for they will all pass to someone else eventually. Set your mind on the things of heaven, permanent things; they are the only treasure you can keep forever.

Jesus does not ask us to run out and sell our possessions, but He asks us to live simple, pure lives, giving as much as we can to those in need. I just read about a family that sold their comfortable big home, downsizing to a smaller one, to give the excess money from the sale to the poor. I do not even know if they are Christians, but what a wonderful idea. The big, comfortable home was something the family above thought they needed, but they learned that they are happier with a much smaller home. They probably feel very blessed as a result of their actions, although living in less spacious quarters. Many of us could learn to do without some of the things we think so important in our lives.

Whatever our circumstances, our treasures should be laid up in heaven, not on Earth. The Bible consistently explains God's economy: Christians do not make this world our home, we do not store up goods for this life, and we do not love the world's things. We love people, and we love by doing good to them. We must focus on the right kingdom, remembering our treasure is there. We store up treasure in heaven when we share our means, providing comfort to a sick and dying world. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ (Luke 10:33-35)