Advent - Luke Chapter 12

This is part of a series exploring Luke’s Gospel for the Advent season. One chapter a day for the first 24 days of December. (We’ll see how we go!) I hope you enjoy and that you know God near this season :)

- Jeff

In Luke 12:15 Jesus talks about covetousness. This is in response to a request for justice, apparently; the fairness of what I’m owed. Jesus reminds us that our identity is not in what we own, but in who we are - and Whose we are.

I reckon contentment is undervalued. A little contentment goes a long way.

I’ve been thinking about this for a while. I feel that one of the big unlocks for a society or a culture is to gain a level of contentment about the things that don’t matter. This frees people to explore and pursue the things which do matter, and to push for improvements in the lot of their neighbours.

Contentment and gratitude go hand-in-hand. There is something to the old adage of counting your blessings. When we remember what we have and give thanks for it then it helps to bring everything else into perspective.

As the Apostle Paul reminds us, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 - Bible.com). God is incredibly generous. It’s in His nature.

As we become more like Jesus, maybe we get a sense of generosity as well. It might be in small things or little ways, but bit by bit we learn to let go of the things that hold us back from following Him.

He gave Himself for us. How much more should we give ourselves to Him (Romans 12:1).