9 Pentecost - Luke 12:32-40

Now don’t be alarmed.

When someone says that, is your first reaction to be at least slightly alarmed?

Do you brace yourself for what’s coming next?

Perhaps that’s exactly what Jesus wants you to do.

Whether he looks in the eyes of his little flock and sees fear or boredom, whether he

needs them to calm down or wake up, Jesus gets their attention the way God does

hundreds of times in Scripture.

Do not be afraid.

The stated reason this time is that it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom, which was not on the list.

My father once delighted in getting me a beautiful, expensive train set for Christmas.

Problem was, I wasn’t interested in trains, and I knew I would break it if I tried to

operate it, so I never actually played with it.

Is that how we receive the gift of God’s kingdom?

I’m afraid I’ll mess it up so I’ll avoid it.

Or it doesn’t line up with my interests: I told Santa in the last ten verses that I’m into

food and clothing and nice stuff, and Jesus dismissed that and changed the subject back to this kingdom thing.

And now he doubles down in an alarming way.

Sell your possessions, and give alms.

Liquidate all the assets and then give the money away.

Why?

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

If you have no stuff, your heart is free.

If your wealth goes to others, so will your heart.

Many of us like to get this backwards, telling ourselves that our heart directs our money.

Nope.

Our heart follows our money.