The God Who GivesExemplo

Gift of the Kingdom 

We do not tend to think of the kingdom as gift. We might affirm that the kingdom of God is real, that it is the reign and rule of God, but what does it mean to think of it as something that is given? What does Jesus mean when he comforts his disciples with the words: “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32, emphasis added)? 

Jesus’ answer is as simple as it is scandalous: live in God’s kingdom, not in your own. Do not live according to the prevailing powers and prejudices of the kingdom of this world. Let the gift of God’s government guide you. Let me put it differently. Jesus moves immediately from warning us about being possessed by our possessions to encouraging us to take comfort that we belong to God; we are his treasured possessions, and he will never let us go (cf. Ex. 19:5–6; Col. 1:11–14). “Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing” (Luke 12:22–23). Jesus lifts his hand, points to the ravens in the sky, and then to the lilies—neither the birds nor the flowers spend their time twisted up with anxiety, since God provides for them. “Of how much more value are you than the birds!” (12:24–27).

Where is Jesus going with all this bird watching and talk about field flowers, not hoarding or not worrying? This really is about the clash of two kingdoms. Either you live under the controlling power and fear of “the nations,” or you live under the Father’s generous rule and reign. The powers of this world encourage us to grasp and grab. But God’s kingdom looks different: his sovereignty is revealed in self-giving. God’s government is defined by gift. Those who belong to God’s kingdom are not to worry. And this lack of worry is established not by building up a large bank account but by participating in the movement of divine generosity.