Commentary on the Four Gospel Books
The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ
G097 The Lord Jesus Instructs The Disciples – Part 2
Luke 12:13-34
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All New Testament verses quoted in this article are from the English Majority Text Version, and Old Testament verses are from the King James Version, unless otherwise noted.
Luke 12:13-34
13 Then someone from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
14 But He said to him, “Man, who appointed Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?”
15 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
16 Then He told a parable to them, saying: “The field of a certain rich man produced well.
17 And he reasoned within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, because I have nowhere to gather my crops?’
18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and I will build bigger ones, and there I will gather all my crops and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid away for many years; relax; eat, drink, and be merry.” ‘
20 But *God said to him, ‘You fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have prepared?’
21 So is he who accumulates treasure for himself, and is not rich toward *God.”
22 Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will wear.
23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.
24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storeroom nor barn; and *God feeds them. How much more are you worth than birds?
25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
26 Therefore if you cannot do a very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed like one of these.
28 But if *God so clothes the grass, although it is in the field today, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, by how much rather will He clothe you, O you of little faith?
29 And do not seek what you may eat or what you may drink, and do not be anxious.
30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, but your Father knows that you need these things.
31 But seek the kingdom of *God, and all these things shall be added to you.
32 Do not fear, little flock, because your Father is well pleased to give to you the kingdom.
33 Sell your possessions and give alms; make for yourselves money bags which do not grow old, an unfailing treasure in the heavens, where a thief does not come near, nor does a moth destroy.
34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
In this lesson, we will continue studying the teachings of the Lord Jesus to His disciples on the eastern shore of the Jordan River, as recorded in Luke chapter 12. We will learn about His teachings on avoiding greed and not being anxious. The Lord Jesus previously spoke the meaning of these teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in Matthew chapter 6.
Luke 12:13-14
13 Then someone from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
14 But He said to him, “Man, who appointed Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?”
While the Lord Jesus was teaching His disciples the words recorded in Luke 12:1-12, a man from the large crowd spoke up, asking Him to tell his brother to divide the inheritance with him.
According to the customs of the Israelites, based on the Old Testament law, when a person passed away, their property was divided equally among their sons. However, the eldest son received a double portion compared to each younger brother. If the deceased had no sons, the inheritance was given to the daughters. If the deceased had no children, their brother or closest relative was required to marry the widow to raise offspring for the deceased, and that child would inherit the property.
From the request of the man seeking a share of the inheritance, we can understand that his brother had likely refused or delayed the division of the inheritance. This refusal or delay could have been either with ill intent or good intent. It would be ill-intended if the brother sought to seize the entire inheritance for himself. It would be well-intended if the brother believed his younger sibling was not yet capable of managing the property. Additionally, in some cases, not dividing the inheritance could be more beneficial for the family, as it would preserve the family’s business. However, regardless of the circumstances, the younger brother still had the right to bring the matter before the local Jewish court (Beth Din). The reason he asked the Lord Jesus to intervene was likely that he believed the Lord’s authority would compel his brother to respect and obey His command.
However, the Lord Jesus firmly refused the man’s request. He did not come into the world to serve as a judge over anyone, nor to divide anyone’s inheritance. He came into the world to reveal the God and the salvation that He grants to mankind and to offer His own life to the God as a sacrifice for the redemption of humanity.
The Lord Jesus’ response was a question that served as a reminder that human society already had systems, organizations, and authorities in place to handle civil disputes. Judgment and the division of property were not part of His ministry.
Luke 12:15
15 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Next, the Lord Jesus taught everyone, including His disciples and the large crowd, about recognizing and avoiding all forms of greed.
“Covetousness” or greed is an excessive desire, never knowing contentment, or a craving to seize what does not belong to oneself. Greed is often directed toward material wealth, power, status, or personal gain, disregarding the legitimate needs and rights of others or moral consequences. It does not stop at merely wanting more wealth, power, or material benefits but is also expressed in an insatiable dissatisfaction with what one already has, regardless of the harm it may cause to others or oneself. Therefore, mankind must recognize and avoid all forms of greed.
The Lord Jesus emphasized a fundamental truth about human life: “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” In reality, the life of mankind is found in the Living Word of God:
“…It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'” (Matthew 4:4).
All the needs for mankind’s physical life are provided by the God to those who seek Him and live according to His Word.
Humans must recognize the true purpose of their lives. Surely, they were not born to seek and accumulate material wealth, power, and status in this world merely to satisfy the desires of the flesh for a span of a hundred years. Mankind was created to turn to God, choose to be godly and obedient to Him, so that they may belong to the holy lineage, enjoy eternal life, and inherit the everlasting inheritance of the God.
“And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed.” (Malachi 2:15a).
Therefore, regarding material needs, mankind should be content with food and clothing. They should devote their time wholeheartedly to seeking the righteousness of the God by reading and meditating on His Living Word—the Holy Scriptures—day and night and carefully following it to belong to the holy lineage. Only in this way can mankind attain the ultimate purpose of receiving eternal life in the Heavenly Kingdom.
Luke 12:16-19
16 Then He told a parable to them, saying: “The field of a certain rich man produced well.
17 And he reasoned within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, because I have nowhere to gather my crops?’
18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and I will build bigger ones, and there I will gather all my crops and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid away for many years; relax; eat, drink, and be merry.”‘
The Lord Jesus told everyone present a parable about a rich man who made plans according to the wisdom of the flesh. This man had fertile lands that yielded abundant harvests. He planned to tear down his old barns and build larger ones to store all his crops and wealth. He intended to stop working and enjoy life in pleasure. This is a typical image of those who do not know God.
1. They rely entirely on material wealth. They believe that accumulating riches will bring security and happiness. They think that the more money and possessions they have, the more stable and comfortable their lives will be. They follow materialism—the belief that the value of life is measured by the extent of material possessions.
2. They think only of themselves and do not consider sharing with others or helping the poor. They live selfishly and complacently, concerned only with their personal needs and desires, without recognizing their responsibility toward others.
3. They focus only on the present and do not look beyond. They do not consider that wealth can be lost at any time or that they themselves could die at any moment.
4. They do not care about their spiritual life and their relationship with God.
In reality, many people focus only on accumulating material wealth and chasing after the pleasures of the flesh in this life, without any concern for their souls or their future in the life to come. Even those suffering from terminal illnesses, whose remaining days are numbered, still refuse to accept the salvation of the God.
They do not realize that this present life is an opportunity to receive the salvation of the God and to labor in storing up treasures for the life to come. They do not understand that failing to accept the salvation of the God in this life will lead to eternal destruction in the next. They are unaware that accepting the salvation of the God in this life without wholeheartedly doing the good works that the God has prepared for them will result in having no reward in the life to come.
Luke 12:20-21
20 But *God said to him, ‘You fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have prepared?’
21 So is he who accumulates treasure for himself, and is not rich toward *God.”
There is nothing more tragic for a person than to have carefully planned and arranged everything necessary for an easy and comfortable life, only to pass away, leaving behind the fruit of all their labor and toil. The God called the rich man in the parable a “fool” not because he worked hard or stored up wealth, but because he failed to live a life of love, helping others, and honoring the God.
One who “accumulates treasure for himself” is someone who lives only for himself, caring neither for others nor for the God, and does not serve Him.
To be “rich toward *God” means to have reverence and obedience toward Him, using material wealth to serve Him by benefiting many people.
Anyone who focuses only on storing up wealth for themselves, without reverence for the God, without using their material resources to serve Him, and without doing the good works that the God has prepared for them, is also a fool—just like the rich man in the parable.
Moreover, God’s people must entrust their lives into the hands of the God, considering and acting according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Later, through James, the Holy Spirit taught the Church:
“Come now, you who say, “Today and tomorrow let us travel to this city, and let us spend a year there, and let us trade and make a profit” – you who do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? For it will be a vapor that appears for a little time, but then also disappears. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”” (James 4:13-15).
Life is incredibly short, and no one knows for certain when they will die. Therefore, each person should live according to this wise counsel:
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Ecclesiates 12:13-14).
Let us begin each day by reminding ourselves of the purpose of life. Let us ask the Lord to help us recognize and accomplish the goals that will lead us to fulfill that purpose.
Luke 12:22-24
22 Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will wear.
23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.
24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storeroom nor barn; and *God feeds them. How much more are you worth than birds?
After teaching everyone present with the parable, the Lord Jesus spoke specifically to His disciples. The content of His teaching was similar to what He had taught in the Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew 6:25-34. We will now quote the commentary on Matthew 6:25-26 as follows:
Worry is different from concern and planning. Worrying about food, drink, clothing, and shelter is an inner unrest caused by the fear of lacking these things. God’s people must work to earn a living and manage their expenses for their needs in life. However, God’s people do not need to worry about any of their needs.
The body of God’s people is the Temple of God. Their life is the life that comes from God. It is God Himself who provides for all the needs of their life and physical body. God’s people simply need to diligently work, earn a living with faith in God, with reverence for God, and live according to His Word, and God will bless their work and provide for all their needs in life.
There will be times when God allows difficulties and trials to occur in order to refine the faith of His people and give them opportunities to support one another. God’s people may experience hunger, thirst, imprisonment, beatings, humiliation, and even death. But even in such circumstances, God’s people do not need to worry. Worrying will not solve anything. For God will not allow any temptation or trial that is beyond their ability to endure (1 Corinthians 10:13). God’s people only need to remain steadfast in faith, bring everything before God, and entrust themselves into His almighty hands:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition, along with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7).
The Lord Jesus used God’s care for the birds of the air to emphasize that God takes care of the physical needs of His people even more.
Sadly, in reality, according to United Nations statistics, about 25,000 people die from hunger every day. Among them, more than 10,000 are children. Around 854 million people worldwide are malnourished, meaning they do not have enough nutritious food to sustain their bodies. The cause of hunger and malnutrition is the flawed self-rule of mankind. For instance, statistics show that in the United States alone, about 40% of food, worth approximately 400 billion dollars, is thrown away due to expiration. Meanwhile, in the same country, 38 million people suffer from hunger, including 12 million children.
It is not that God has not provided enough food for mankind, but the flawed self-rule of mankind has caused food to not be distributed evenly among all people, even in a country renowned for its civilization, wealth, and power. Therefore, God will soon end mankind’s self-rule with the End Times and establish the Millennial Kingdom on earth, under the direct reign of Christ.
Luke 12:25-26
25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
26 Therefore if you cannot do a very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
We would like to quote the commentary on Matthew 6:27 as follows:
Worrying about anything does not help the person worrying but only makes them more confused. The term “life span” (G2244) literally means age, the length of life; metaphorically, it refers to stature. No one can prolong their life or make their body grow fatter, fuller, or taller through worry. On the contrary, worry only causes a person to become thinner, weaker, and age prematurely.
If a person cannot even extend their life by a moment or make their stature taller by a bit, why should they worry about other matters?
Luke 12:27-28
27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed like one of these.
28 But if *God so clothes the grass, although it is in the field today, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, by how much rather will He clothe you, O you of little faith?
We would like to quote the commentary on Matthew 6:28-30 as follows:
Regarding clothing to cover the body, it can be said that the number of people without sufficient clothing is likely much fewer than the number of people who die from hunger. According to the context of these three Bible verses, the Lord Jesus seems to be addressing the worry about dressing fashionably rather than the worry about having enough to wear. That is, even when people have enough clothing, they still worry about how to dress beautifully. Once again, by illustration, the Lord Jesus uses the example of God’s provision of beauty for wild lilies growing in the field to emphasize how God clothes His people with beauty.
Humankind seeks beautiful coverings through clothing, but God gives His people beauty both through their clothing and their character. True children of God are granted beautiful clothing, but more than that, He gives them His glory so that their character shines with God’s love, holiness, and righteousness in this life. In the life to come, this beauty, in its full glory, will replace the material clothing on their resurrected or transformed bodies, as on the day when God first created mankind. This beauty will remain forever.
The Lord Jesus calls those who have believed in Him but still worry about the temporary matters of this life as people of little faith. They have faith in God’s salvation but lack faith in God’s providence. A person of little faith is one who is not diligent in reading and meditating on the Word of God, lacking understanding of His Word. Or, even if that person does read and meditate on the Word of God, they are not careful to follow it and thus do not receive the prosperity that God has prepared for those who obey Him.
Luke 12:29-30
29 And do not seek what you may eat or what you may drink, and do not be anxious.
30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, but your Father knows that you need these things.
We would like to quote the commentary on Matthew 6:31-32 as follows:
Once again, the Lord Jesus emphasizes that God’s people should not worry about the basic material needs of life. Those who do not believe in the Lord worry and seek material needs every day in their lives. But God, the One who provides for His people, knows in advance and has already prepared all their needs. He will provide them at the right time.
King David spoke about how God provides food for His creation at the proper time:
“The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.” (Psalms 145:15-16).
Therefore, God’s people only need to stand firm in the promise and faithfulness of God, without worrying about any material needs in life. This does not mean that God’s people should not diligently work to earn a living. Diligent work to earn a living is the responsibility of every individual. Except for those who have set themselves apart to serve the Lord, busy with the ministry in the Church and having no time to work for a living, they can receive support from the Church. The Word of God clearly teaches:
“For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone is not willing to work, neither let him eat! For we hear that some are walking among you in a disorderly way, not working at all, but being busybodies. And to such people we command and urge by our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.” (2Thessalonians 3:10-12).
The work of earning a living for God’s people is not only to provide for themselves and their families but also to be able to help those in need (Ephesians 4:28), to offer gifts to the Lord, and to use for the ministries of the Church.
Luke 12:31
31 But seek the kingdom of *God, and all these things shall be added to you.
We would like to quote the commentary on Matthew 6:33 as follows:
The priority of God’s people is to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.
To seek the Kingdom of God is to seek forgiveness of sins, to be cleansed from sin, and to be reborn as a new person in Christ. Only those who truly repent of their sins and fully believe in the atoning death of Christ will enter the Kingdom of God. True repentance means recognizing that one has violated the Ten Commandments of God and no longer desires to break them. Fully believing in the atoning death of Christ means trusting in His death alone for the forgiveness of sins, not in any good works or anything else.
To seek the righteousness of God is to seek His standard of love and holiness, as revealed in the Scriptures, and to live according to it.
When a person belongs to the Kingdom of God and lives righteously according to His Word, He will provide for all their needs in life. That person does not need to worry about anything in this life.
Luke 12:32-33
32 Do not fear, little flock, because your Father is well pleased to give to you the kingdom.
33 Sell your possessions and give alms; make for yourselves money bags which do not grow old, an unfailing treasure in the heavens, where a thief does not come near, nor does a moth destroy.
At that time, the Lord Jesus referred to His disciples as the “little flock,” meaning a small number of sheep. They were indeed a small group among the many people of Israel at that time. However, the term “little flock” is also fitting for the Church of the Lord throughout all ages. For in every era, the Church of the Lord has always been a small number of people. Today, there are billions of people who claim to be disciples of the Lord, but those who truly are disciples of the Lord are just a few. They are those who truly repent of their sins, fully believe in the atoning death of the Lord Jesus Christ, and wholeheartedly obey God’s commandments. To put it in the words of the Holy Spirit, they are “those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” (Revelation 14:12).
The Lord Jesus told His disciples, “Do not fear,” because all their material needs in life would be provided by God and because their lives are in the hands of God’s omnipotence. Above all, God has accepted them as His children and is pleased to give them the Heavenly Kingdom.
The Heavenly “Kingdom” is the Eternal Kingdom in the new heaven and new earth, as prophesied in Revelation chapter 21.
The Lord Jesus calls His disciples to sell their possessions and give to charity. Charity is the act of helping those in need, especially the poor and the helpless. Charity demonstrates love for others through concrete actions of assistance, and it is an obedience to God’s command to love others as ourselves. Therefore, it is also an act of worship to God. The Holy Spirit teaches about helping others as follows:
“So then, as we have opportunity, let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10).
“Money bags which do not grow old” symbolize the means in our hands to do good works, including time, health, talents, wealth, and position or authority.
“Unfailing treasure in the heavens” refers to the storehouse in heaven where good works done by God’s people on earth are kept. Every good work God’s people do with a humble, meek heart, in obedience to God, and with love for others will be rewarded by God through the Lord Jesus Christ. The rewards from God are infinitely precious, lasting forever, and cannot be lost or taken away. These are the glory and the authority in the Heavenly Kingdom that each person will receive.
Luke 12:34
34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
We would like to quote the commentary on Matthew 6:21 as follows:
The truth is, where our treasure is, there our heart will be. If we only know how to store up treasures on earth, our hearts will be directed only towards earthly things, towards things that help us protect and accumulate more wealth. If we know how to use earthly treasures to do good works, our hearts will always be focused on doing good, which brings eternal treasures in heaven. Our hearts will always be directed towards God, our Father in heaven, to honor and thank Him, presenting all the results of using our wealth to Him.
We conclude this lesson here.
May the Holy Spirit guide us into all the truths of God’s Word (John 16:13). May the Word of God sanctify us (John 17:17). May the Faithful *God of Peace Himself sanctify our spirit, soul, and body entirely, without blame (1 Thessalonians 5:23), at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Beloved Savior. Amen!
Timothy Christian Huynh
Priscilla Christian Huynh
02/01/2025
Notes:
[1] https://www.un.org/en/chronicle/article/losing-25000-hunger-every-day
About Using “*God”, “the God” and “holy spirit”
Wherever the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts of the Bible use a definite article with a noun to denote GOD, we translate it into English as *God or “the God” to refer to God the Father. We understand that “God,” without a definite article, was used as a collective noun for all and any of the three Persons of the Godhead. And “God,” with a definite article, was used to refer to God the Father.
In the Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, the term “holy spirit” (πνευματι αγιω) without the definite article “the” (το) is used to denote the power of God, which is given by God the Holy Spirit. “The Holy Spirit” (το πνευματι το αγιω) is God, and “holy spirit” (πνευματι αγιω) is the power that comes from God.
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