Matthew Henry Commentary Luke 12:22-40

"And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for [your] life, what ye shall eat; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. For the life is more than the food, and the body than the raiment. Consider the ravens, that they sow not, neither reap; which have no store-chamber nor barn; and God feedeth them: of how much more value are ye than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit unto the measure of his life? If then ye are not able to do even that which is least, why are ye anxious concerning the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin; yet I say unto you, Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God doth so clothe the grass in the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven; how much more [shall he clothe] you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, and what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: but your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. Yet seek ye his kingdom, and these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father`s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that which ye have, and give alms; make for yourselves purses which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief draweth near, neither moth destroyeth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning; and be ye yourselves like unto men looking for their lord, when he shall return from the marriage feast; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may straightway open unto him. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and shall come and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, and if in the third, and find [them] so blessed are those [servants]. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not have left his house to be broken through. Be ye also ready: for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh." — Luke 12:22-40 (ASV)

Christ strongly emphasized this caution not to give way to unsettling, perplexing worries (Matthew 6:25–34). The arguments used here are for our encouragement to cast our care upon God, which is the right way to find ease. Just as with our stature, so with our state, it is our wisdom to accept it as it is. An eager, anxious pursuit of the things of this world, even necessary things, is unbecoming for the disciples of Christ. Fears must not prevail, especially when we frighten ourselves with thoughts of evil to come and burden ourselves with needless cares about how to avoid it.

If we value the beauty of holiness, we will 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 like those who wait for their lord, who 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 about the time of his coming to us; therefore, we should always be ready. If people take such care of their houses, let us be equally wise for our souls.

Be ye therefore ready also; as ready as the master of the house would be, if he knew at what hour the thief would come.