13. Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, "Tell my brother to share out what father left us." He replied, "Who appointed me a judge to arbitrate between you and your brother?" Then he said to them, "Be warned! You should be on your guard against all types of greed, because a person's true life is not measured by the things he owns, no matter how rich he may be." Then he told them this story:
18. "The land of a wealthy farmer produced a good crop. He thought, `What shall I do? I don't have enough room to store it all.' I know, I will demolish the old barns and build new ones, with enough room for everything. Then I'll be able to say to myself, "You have everything you need. Take it easy; eat, drink and be merry."'
20. "But God said to him, `Don't be stupid! Tonight your life will end - then who will get everything you have kept for yourself?' This is what happens to those who only want things for themselves but are not rich in God's sight."
22. Then Jesus said to his followers, "Therefore don't worry about food to stay alive or clothes for your body. Life is more important than food, and the body more important than clothes. Look at the crows: they don't grow food; they don't store it away; yet God feeds them! But you are worth much more than any bird!
25. Can worry make you live longer? If you can't manage such a small thing, why worry about anything else? "Just think about how wild flowers grow. They don't work or make clothes. Yet even a King in his finest robes will never be dressed as well as a simple flower. If God dresses wild grass, which grows one day, and dies the next, how much more will he supply clothes for you - what wimps you are!
29. So, don't worry about food and drink. Faithless people chase after these sorts of things, but your Father knows that you need them. So, try to do what he wants first, and you will get all you need as well.
32. "Don't be afraid, my friends, for your Father is happy to give you everything you really need. Sell your possesions and give your money to the poor. It is like having a purse that will never get a hole in it, a treasure in heaven that cannot run out, safe from thieves and parasites. Because your heart will always be where you keep your wealth.
35. "Be dressed and ready for action with your batteries fully charged, like firemen waiting for the call to a fire, so that when the call comes they can respond immediately. It will be good for those who respond speedily especially if it is in the early hours of the morning. They will be highly commended and their commander will even cook breakfast for them when they return.
39. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known when and where the fire would start, he would not have let his house burn down. You too must be ready, because the Son of Man will come when you least expect him."
Author: Geoff Tomlinson