Depending On God

Luke 12:22-34

Las summer, I planted a garden. I bought some seed and some plants, and planted them in the best soil available. I watered them and pulled weeds, and most of them did quite well. A few plants, however, just wouldn’t grow like they should, and one cucumber vine never made a single cucumber. I have no idea why, as they were from the same nursery, and planted in the same soil. I had no control of their growth.

Traditionally, most farmers had even less control than I had. I had water available, and since I was working in a very small area, I could pick already started plants and place them in soil I knew had plenty of nutrients. The traditional farmer would have to plant seed and hope it would sprout and grow. He would have to trust that the rains would come at the proper time and the soil would have the proper nutrients. If the weather turned cold, he might be unable to protect the plants, and insects or disease could wipe them out. Whether he realized it or not, and most did, they were totally dependent on God to make things happen properly. Even those who did not acknowledge God recognized that there were forces beyond their power to control.

Most modern Americans have a less immediate connection to what the Lord does, and often forget they are just as dependent on what God does. As a result people’s faith becomes focused on man’s abilities rather than on God. When we think we have a sure source we are confident, but when we don’t know where the next meal is coming from it is hard to trust. Jesus had already begun teaching his disciples to depend on God, but now he explains more fully.

“And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.” (Luke 12:22-23)

While we depend on food to survive, we can eat a great variety of things, and survive for a long period with very little food. Our bodies are far more adaptable than we often realize. During the Depression, My mom’s family survived largely on tumble weed greens, jack rabbits, and milk because they had a cow. The kids didn’t even realize that it wasn’t what their parents liked. It was just what they had. Our life isn’t about what we have to eat or to wear, contrary to what many seem to think. It is amazing how many homeless people survive, eating what other people have thrown away as garbage. While I don’t want to live that way, I can if others can. I will still be alive.

“Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?” (Luke 12:24)

In our area, there are a lot of ravens. Most of them are pretty healthy. They nearly always find food to eat. People are much more valuable to God than the ravens, and God feeds them even when they did nothing to earn it. We so easily forget that we have little control over the things around us, and some of the self help Gurus insist that it isn’t so, but the fact is, we are limited.

“And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?” (Luke 12:25-26)

Our bodies are part of us, and there are many things about the body we can control, including, to some extent our weight, and health and hair color. However we have little control over our height, and it is one of the least important aspects of our life. It really makes little difference whether one is four feet tall or seven. If we cannot control such unimportant issues that are directly connected to us, why try to control things beyond our reach. It seems a little silly and arrogant to think we could control the weather, or the economy. Why waste time worrying about it? Focus on the things you can do.

“Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?” (Luke 12:27-28)

Several years ago, I worked for a plumbing company that was forced into bankruptcy because they were unable to collect on some work they had done. I had done my best, but I could not make the builder pay his bill because he had no money to pay with. The recent economic collapse forced many companies to lay people off, even though they had done a good job. We cannot control those things, and worrying about it will drive us nuts. God has promised to supply our need, and we need to trust him just as the ravens and plants do. They don’t worry what they will eat tomorrow, just enjoy what they have today.

“And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.” (Luke 12:20-30)

Rather than worrying and striving to get the things we need, we need to try to please God. That does not excuse us for being lazy, but it does mean we learn to be content with what God gives. Those who stress that we should never be content are going against scripture. I Timothy 6:8 commands, “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” Instead of focusing on things, even food, we need to focus on what pleases God.


“But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:31-32)

God wants to give us all the riches of heaven. A man I know had a lot of stuff, and refused to get rid of it. When he needed to move, he spent so much moving the stuff that it forced him into bankruptcy. If he had just given the stuff away, he would have lost it, but he would not have been bankrupt. If he had sold it, he would have had quite a bit of money to work with. It’s foolish to keep stuff that prevents us from getting something better.

“Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:33-34)

If our belongings keep us from obeying God, they are Idols. They will surely not make it into heaven, and may not last through this life. Why not trade them in on something better?