The rest of the story

Has this ever happened to you... You're reading your Bible and come across a familiar passage.  You are subconsciously nodding along, recognizing the truths you are reading.  And then, POW!  Where did that verse come from?  God lays a new truth on you that has been there all along, you just missed it until now.

I had that experience this weekend.

I came across this familiar passage in Luke:

Luke 12:22-31 (ESV)
²² And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. ²³ For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. ²⁴ Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! ²⁵ And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? ²⁶ If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? ²⁷ Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ²⁸ But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! ²⁹ And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. ³⁰ For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹ Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

This is a great passage about stress and worry.  God is sovereign.  He will meet all of your needs.  Seek His Kingdom and everything else will be taken care of.

I've heard many lessons and sermons on this passage and I was nodding along as I read.

Then, I had to read the rest of the story...

Luke 12:32-34 (ESV)
³² "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. ³³ Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. ³⁴ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Can you see the verse that struck me between the eyes?  Verse 32 is comforting.  Verse 34 is a truth that is often preached and well known.  Who's going to argue with that?

However, what is up with verse 33?  Sure, I know that Jesus challenged the rich young ruler to sell everything and give the proceeds to the poor.  That's because He was dealing with that rich guy's heart.  But who is Jesus talking to here?

I am more than happy to claim the "don't worry, be happy" message here, but can Jesus really be talking to me about selling my possessions and giving to the needy?  He must mean I need to be prepared to do that if "called." 

Right?

Or does He mean what He says?