Scripture: Luke 12:22-34 (Read vv. 22-23) [p. 672] August 30, 2026
Sermon: “Principles to Live By!” Pastor John Young

I don’t know if the name, George Muller, rings a bell with any of you, but he lived in Bristol, England in the 1800’s. He was a pastor, but is best known for establishing a large orphanage on Ashley Downs. One morning, the housemother of the orphanage told George, “The children are dressed and ready for school. But there is no food for them to eat,” George asked her to take the children into the dining room and have them sit at the tables. He thanked God for the food and waited. George knew God would provide food for the children as He always did. Within minutes, a baker knocked on the door. “Mr. Mueller,” he said, “last night I could not sleep. God impressed upon my heart that he wanted me to bake bread for the orphans. I was so sure it was God who spoke to me, I got up and baked three batches for you. I have the loaves in the wagon outside.” As George was carrying in the bread, he noticed a broken-down cart in front of the orphanage. Hoping to offer help to the man, he approached the cart. To his surprise, it was the milkman. His cart had broken down and he said to George, “This milk will spoil by the time the wheel was fixed. Do you know anyone who could use some free milk? I hate for it to go to waste.” George smiled as he told the milkman of the orphanage and their need. He and the milkman brought in ten large cans of milk. It was just enough for the 300 thirsty children.
To many of us, such stories seem almost contrived, they’re so unbelievable! But, if you read the biography of George Muller, you would find many such stories. George’s orphanage took in over 10,000 orphans and he funded that massive undertaking without ever making a public appeal for assistance or borrowing any money. George prayed it in! That’s his story. You would do well to read his biography. It will strengthen your faith!
George believed when he prayed, that God would hear and answer his prayer. He took no thought for his life or provision, instead, he placed his trust in God’s provision. On the surface, this is the focus of our text this morning. God’s provision. But it is deeper than just God’s provision and more narrow in its focus. Let me explain. When we study the bible, we need to ask the basic questions of ‘Who, What, Where and Why.’ For instance, ‘Who’ is Jesus speaking to in this text?
I. The Disciples – v. 22a.
A. Notice what He tells them:
1. V. 22 – Don’t fear:
a. For your life.
b. For your food/meal.
c. For your clothing.
2. Why?
a. V. 23 – ‘Life’ is more than food and clothing. And notice the:
3. Illustrations He gives:
a. V. 24 – the Ravens
b. V. 27 – the Lilies
c. V. 28 – the grass.
4. Conclusion:
a. V. 29 – Don’t fret over food and clothing.
1) V. 25 – We are powerless to provide for ourselves.
2) V. 26 – Notice the contrast – Don’t keep trying to do what you cannot! Give it up!
b. Secondly, v. 31 – Seek God’s Kingdom and all will be provided.
c. Thirdly, v. 32 – God’s going to give you ‘the kingdom.’
d. Fourthly, v. 33 – Sell everything and trust God.
B. So, doctrinally (specific teaching to a group of people), these instructions are given to Jewish disciples of Jesus who are commanded by Jesus to follow these instructions literally, as they take the ‘gospel’ (good news) to Jewish people. Which would answer the question anyone would have after Jesus telling them to commit themselves to this ministry – “How will I live? How will I provide for my family? What will I eat?”
1. Notice, if you would:
a. These instructions are NOT given to the Church to accomplish (v. 22a).
b. The ‘kingdom’ mentioned in this passage is not a spiritual kingdom; it’s a physical kingdom. We know this because:
1) The kingdom Jesus preached was Jewish in nature and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophesies regarding the ‘everlasting kingdom secured upon David’s throne’ (Genesis 17:8, Psalms 145:13, Daniel 4:1-3).
a) This is why, after the crucifixion of Christ, His burial and resurrection, the Jews asked Jesus, as recorded in Acts 1:6, if He was going to “restore” [key word] the kingdom TO ISRAEL.
b) This is why Jesus, after hand picking His disciples, said to them, as recorded in Matthew 10:6, don’t go to anyone with this message “but…the lost sheep of the house of ISRAEL.”
c) This is why, Ananias and Sapphira, along with a host of other Jews, as recorded in Acts 4:32 – Acts 5:4, sold all they had. They were following Jesus’ command given in our text, v. 33, “Sell that ye have…” They wanted to bring in this Jewish literal, physical kingdom on earth.
c. The Jews never looked or longed for a ‘spiritual kingdom.’ In fact, the Pharisees choked at the notion of a spiritual kingdom – Luke 17:20-21 [read]. Notice the context – v. 25 [the spiritual kingdom cannot come until, first, He is “rejected of this generation” [Jews], and secondly, “he [Jesus] suffer man things,” i.e. He is crucified (John 1:11& 12).
1) Clearly, the earthly ‘kingdom’ that can be observed or designated by location (“here” or “there”) has not yet come when Jesus is speaking to these Pharisees. It WILL come after Jesus is crucified and risen!
d. The Jews always longed (and still do) for a literal kingdom on this earth where God reigns from David’s Throne and puts the Gentile nations in subjection to them!
e. Christians (which title does not show up in the bible until Acts 11:26 and is in context with v. 23 “the grace of God”), are not looking for a eutopia on this earth; they have the kingdom (Luke 17:21) “within” them! The Holy Spirit dwells inside of us!
[Now, just because this text is not addressed to us (v. 22), doesn’t mean it has not relative value (2 Timothy 3:16 – “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”). Very quickly then, doctrinally, it is written to the disciples of Jesus and the Jewish people, but there is a practical application that can be made to any people (including us) for “instruction in righteousness” (i.e. instructions for us to live right). Let’s notice:
II. Three principles for right living.
A. The principle of PROVISION – vv. 22-29
1. God knows what you need and will make a way for you to receive it!
a. Within the confines of scripture, this often involves working – 2 Thessalonians 3:10 “…if any would not work, neither should he eat.”
b. As long as your spender is not greater than your income, you’ll be in good shape. And if this is not enough and it’s the best you can do, Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:8, “…God is able to make all grace abound toward you…” And again, Philippians 4:19, “…God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory…”
c. The Christian who realizes that “LIFE” v. 22, does not consist of ‘things’ v. 22, will not lack of the provisions of God!
B. The principle of PRIORITIES – v. 29 compared with v. 31.
1. Solomon tells us in Proverbs 27:20, “Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.”
a. Most of us know that song, “I’m satisfied with, just a cottage below…” Great song, but it simply is not true! One of the instructions God wants to give to us in this passage is that we are never satisfied, never!! If we live to be satisfied (v. 29), we will always seek for more, but, if we seek God’s kingdom (His will, His way and His Instructions – v. 31), “all these things shall be added unto you!”
b. It is simply a matter of priorities! One fulfills (God’s way) and the other one (my way) never fulfills!!!
c. Seek God first! Look at Colossians 3:1-3 [read]. The principle of priorities.
C. The principle of PROOF – v. 34.
1. If you’re not sure if your priorities are right, just look at what (or who) you love!
a. Like the arrow of a compass, your heart will point to your treasure!
1) If it’s on the ‘things’ or ‘necessities’ of life, it will be obvious!
2) If it’s on the Lord, it too will be obvious!
3) “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Let’s pray