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Scott's Reference Library
Luke 12:32-40
Sunday Between August 7 and 13 (Proper 13) C (Gospel) August 9, 1998
Luke 12:32-40
"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the
kingdom. [33] Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves
that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief
comes near and no moth destroys. [34] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be
also.
[35] "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, [36] like men waiting
for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they
can immediately open the door for him. [37] It will be good for those servants whose
master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to
serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. [38] It will be
good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or
third watch of the night. [39] But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at
what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. [40] You
also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect
him."
(NIV)
Luke 12:22-40 (Worldly care reproved)
Christ largely insisted upon this caution not to give way to disquieting, perplexing cares, Matthew 6:25-34. The arguments here used are for our encouragement to cast our care upon God, which is the right way to get ease. As in our stature, so in our state, it is our wisdom to take it as it is. An eager, anxious pursuit of the things of this world, even necessary things, ill becomes the disciples of Christ. Fears must not prevail; when we frighten ourselves with thoughts of evil to come, and put ourselves upon needless cares how to avoid it. If we value the beauty of holiness, we shall not crave the luxuries of life. Let us then examine whether we belong to this little flock. Christ is our Master, and we are his servants; not only working servants, but waiting servants. We must be as men that wait for their lord, that sit up while he stays out late, to be ready to receive him. In this Christ alluded to his own ascension to heaven, his coming to call his people to him by death, and his return to judge the world. We are uncertain as to the time of his coming to us, we should therefore be always ready. If men thus take care of their houses, let us be thus wise for our souls. Be ye therefore ready also; as ready as the good man of the house would be, if he knew at what hour the thief would come.
(Matthew Henry Concise Commentary)