Faith and Fear: Christ's Sermon in Luke 12
By James White
Saving faith knows nothing of fear, excepting to fear God and keep his commandments. In Christ’s sermon recorded in the twelfth chapter of Luke, faith is held forth in contrast with fear. We call attention to the following points of great interest in this remarkable chapter:— 1. This close, practical sermon was addressed to the disciples in the presence of a vast assembly. This fact should teach us that theory alone will not meet the wants of the people. The chapter opens with these words: “When there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trod one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all.” Verse 1. 2. However important this practical sermon may have been to Christians of each successive generation from the time it was delivered down to the present, one fact stands out very plain upon the sacred page,—that the plain, cutting, practical lessons contained in it have a special application to those who are waiting for the return of the Lord at his second coming. He says: “Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding.” Verses 35, 36. 3. He warns us against covetousness. “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness; for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Verse 15. The circumstance which called forth this warning is recorded in the immediate connection, in these words: “And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?” Then follows the warning against covetousness, which he illustrates by the following figure: “And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee; then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Verses 16–21. The rich man in the parable had nothing only that which he had received of the Lord. And as a faithful steward of his Lord’s goods he should have given of the abundance of the products of his lands to feed the poor and to support the cause of God. The folly of this foolish rich man consisted in coveting that which was the Lord’s, in pulling down barns which were large enough, and in building those that would hold all the products of the soil with which God had blessed the labor of his hands. He had abundance for many years, while the Lord’s poor were suffering for daily food. He consoled his soul with plenty. He lived to eat, drink, and take his ease. His case forcibly illustrates the conduct of those who devote their lives to laying up earthly treasures and are not rich toward God. 4. In contrast with the life and end of the covetous rich man, our Lord exalts a life of faith, and points forward to the immortal kingdom as the reward of those who show their faith by good deeds. He points to the ravens, “which neither have store-house nor barn, and God feedeth them.” If God feeds the birds that fly in the heavens without a care, will he not feed and clothe those who trust in him? “How much are ye better than the fowls?” He also cites the lilies of the field, or reposing upon the bosom of the lake, clothed in garments of beauty, and states that “Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these,” and adds: “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?” Verse 28. He continues, in making a practical application of the figures of the birds of the heavens and the lilies of the field, for which God cares, to give them food and their beautiful garments, in these words: “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. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Verses 29–31. The men and women of the world live for this life only. They tax brain, bone, and muscle to lay up treasures in this world. Their minds are burdened with care and anxiety concerning what they shall eat, what they shall drink, and wherewithal they shall be clothed. “All these things do the nations of the world seek after.” But the trusting followers of Jesus Christ are to pursue a course directly opposite. “But rather seek ye the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you,” is the utterance of faith from the lips of the Divine Master. But we seem to hear the voice of unbelief say, “I dare not risk it. I fear to venture the future, my future welfare and that of my family, without laying up a liberal competency for age. What should I do in case of sickness or misfortune? I must ‘provide against a rainy day.’” Well, brother, the Lord knew that you would feel just so, that you would fear and tremble for want of saving faith, and has, for your comfort and strength, added in this connection these words, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 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.” Verses 32–34. Men of the world may lay up treasures here, and set their hearts upon them to the neglect of the kingdom of God, and they may be swept from them by fire or flood in an hour. The thief may steal or the burglar may rob their hoarded wealth, and their god perish from them in a single night, and they be left destitute and broken-hearted. Some in their insane madness commit suicide when their earthly treasures are taken from them. But those who in faith send their treasures before them, and make deposits in the bank of heaven, are doing a safe business. There are no losses there. And it is a comforting thought that such are laying up treasures for themselves. May God lead his dear waiting people, and give them of the spirit of the next life, that they may lay up their treasures for that immortal life that runs parallel with the life of God. J. W.