29 “And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. 30 “For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. 31 “But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. 33 “Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:29–34 (NAS)

If I were to calculate the hours I’ve spent worrying in my lifetime it would be in weeks not days or hours. Because of the many blessings of living in America, my aggregate time worrying about food, drink, or clothing could be summed up in minutes. My worry has largely been about health and wealth, about getting it and keeping it. So it’s hard to fathom worrying about the basics on a routine basis because I by God’s grace have not been in want–yet.

The worry then has been over what lifestyle you’d fully expect in God’s kingdom, i.e., heaven. There you’d expect to be healthy and wealthy, all in a good way. It’s safe to say we’d all opt for heaven on earth if it were an option. What Jesus is saying here is it’s not an option, it’s already been granted! (v. 32) He can’t do anything more for us if he’s already “chosen gladly to give us the kingdom.”

Someone who knows he has possession of the kingdom (me) is free to sell his possessions so that his “kingdom life” can be more fully enjoyed. Otherwise, the danger I face is to be “choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.” Luke 8:14