Luke 12:32-40 (NRSV)
Read Luke 12:32-40 on biblegateway.com
Verse 32"Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Verse 33Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. Verse 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Verse 35"Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; Verse 36be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Verse 37Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. Verse 38If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. Verse 39"But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. Verse 40You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour."
Devotion
Be “dressed for action,” says verse 35. I like that phrase better than “dressed for success.” Luke’s wording makes me think I do not need to worry about my wardrobe as much as my attitude. It’s a contrast from the success mentality that seems to consume us in the good ol‘ U.S.A.
What does it mean, however, to be dressed for action? The first three verses offer hints: 1) fear not, 2) downsize your possessions and give, 3) make strong purses and 4) recognize that your heart follows your treasure.
After all that work, we are “dressed for action.” It sounds good, though I wonder about the details. But, fear not. It’s up to us to decide how to get dressed. The good news reminds us it is “the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” God takes pleasure in giving. Perhaps that is the heart of the story.
Prayer
May we prepare our lives to receive your love so that we may give it away wholesale. Amen.