Contemplative Bible Reading

Luke 12:29-30 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

29 Don’t keep striving for what you should eat and what you should drink, and don’t be anxious. 30 For the Gentile world eagerly seeks all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.

Jesus is speaking in these verses. He has just finished describing the birds and how God cares for their needs. Jesus tells us not to strive after the things that sustain us. And Jesus adds that God knows we need them.

Jesus doesn’t say, “God knows you want these things.” He says, “God knows you need them.”

God loves and cares for us. He will provide what we need. Also, wanting what we need is not a sin, and we need food, drink, and clothing. Enough italics to emphasize verbs.

Jesus urges us to forsake striving for what we need to strive for life with God. The necessities will come through one vehicle or another, and God—whether we realize it or not—provides those vehicles.

Still, it is not sinful to want food and clothing for my children.