Luke 12

Devotionals, Articles, and Bible Study Resources on Luke 12

1In the meantime, a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling one another. Jesus began to speak first to His disciples: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
2There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known.
3What you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the housetops.
4I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.
5But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear the One who, after you have been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!
6Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.
7And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
8I tell you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will also confess him before the angels of God.
9But whoever denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.
10And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
11When you are brought before synagogues, rulers, and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say.
12For at that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say.”
13Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
14But Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed Me judge or executor between you?”
15And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
16Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance.
17So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’
18Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and will build bigger ones, and there I will store up all my grain and my goods.
19Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
20But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’
21This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.”
22Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.
23For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.
24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouse or barn; yet God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds!
25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
26So if you cannot do such a small thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27Consider how the lilies grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these.
28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith!
29And do not be concerned about what you will eat or drink. Do not worry about it.
30For the Gentiles of the world strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
31But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added unto you.
32Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.
33Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
35Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning.
36Then you will be like servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once.
37Blessed are those servants whom the master finds on watch when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve and will have them recline at the table, and he himself will come and wait on them.
38Even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night and finds them alert, those servants will be blessed.
39But understand this: If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.
40You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.”
41“Lord,” said Peter, “are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone else as well?”
42And the Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their portion at the proper time?
43Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.
44Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.
45But suppose that servant says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and he begins to beat the menservants and maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk.
46The master of that servant will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not anticipate. Then he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.
47That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows.
48But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.
49I have come to ignite a fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!
50But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!
51Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but division.
52From now on, five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three.
53They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
54Then Jesus said to the crowds, “As soon as you see a cloud rising in the west, you say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and that is what happens.
55And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It will be hot,’ and it is.
56You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and sky. Why don’ t you know how to interpret the present time?
57And why don’ t you judge for yourselves what is right?
58Make every effort to reconcile with your adversary while you are on your way to the magistrate. Otherwise, he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and the officer may throw you into prison.
59I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the very last penny.”
— Luke 12

Related Resources from Heartlight

Look! It's My Obituary
Article by Tim Archer

Is that me among the death notices? I need to think about dying. Not in a scared way, nor some kind of morbid obsession. I need to remember that death is coming… and it's not the end. I need to prepare for my real retirement, the one that will last forever. All of the "busyness" that surrou

Are You Prepared?
Article by Tom Norvell

So when the storm hits, are you ready? Tom Norvell compares Jesus' coming and our being generous to being prepared for a winter storm.

Being Rich
Article by Russ Lawson

How much do you really need? What we have is not what determines how rich we are and our job is just a means to an end, not the real goal or end.

How Old Do You Want To Be?
Article by Russ Lawson

So how is your retirement plan? Russ Lawson reminds us that what we pursue for security and to help us live longer really determines the quality of our lives in our older years, and God must be the center of all of that.

Momma Dog's Brief Vacation
Article by Amy C. Baker

When was the last time you got away with a friend and the Father? We all need to get away now and again and retreat into the quietness and grace of God for our renewal.

Obsessed to Death
Article by Alan Smith

Can obsession claim you body and soul? We can get so caught up in wanting more that we kill ourselves.

The Lord's Take on the Subject
Article by Phil Ware

So what are we supposed to do about such days as this? Phil Ware shares Scriptures pertaining to the IRS deadline for taxes and other issues related to money.

Teach Us to Pray 09: Recalibrating Need
Article by Phil Ware

Our prayers often treat God as if he is the free Amazon delivery service for our every whim and want. Phil Ware with Andy Johnson remind us that our prayer is for the bread we need today, not the extravagance we want for ourselves.

Luxury Addiction
Article by Patrick D. Odum

How much has your stuff become your owner? Patrick Odum challenges us with some real truths about luxury and greed and what it does to our walk with God and our genuine opportunities to be happy.

Too Many Tepees?
Article by Patrick D. Odum

How many tepees is enough? We know who won't get our stuff when we die, and storing it in bigger or more tepees won't help!

Remembering What Really Matters
Article by Rubel Shelly

So where are you investing your time, your moments, your days? Rubel Shelly reminds us to focus and live based on what lasts and is important and endures into eternity.

Overwhelmingly Blessed
Article by Tom Norvell

When was the last time you counted your blessings? We must realize that with our blessings comes the responsibility to use them generously.

Loving the Person Who Isn't 'One of Us'
Article by Rubel Shelly

Who do you believe is Rubel Shelly writes about the serious subject of unity and division and the way we view and deal with those who are not one of us.

Misleading Advertising
Article by Larry Zinck

Sin is very misleading Sin is deceptive and offers shortcuts that ultimately enslave.

C2K — Kiss the Bride
Article by Phil Ware

Are you ready for the big wedding? Phil Ware concludes his series on Church to Kingdom, C2K, and reminds us that as Jesus' people, we are the bride of Christ and need to be ready for our wedding.

The War on Materialism
Article by Rubel Shelly

What's the real threat to our culture? Rubel Shelly writes about our greatest cultural enemy in spiritual warfare, consumerism or greed.

'I Don't Judge People'
Article by Rubel Shelly

Are you so sure you don't judge people? Rubel Shelly reminds us that we have to make correct judgments about many things and many people, the secret is not being judgmental.

All That Stuff
Article by Max Lucado

How are we going to define ourselves? Max Lucado reminds us that we shouldn't and we can't define who we are by what we have or don't have, but by our contentment in the Lord.

A Selfish Christian?
Article by Mike Barres

Isn't this an oxymoron? Mike Barres reminds us that God wants to bless us and he also wants to conform us to Jesus: so let's not use our Christianity for selfish motives.

Money Really Doesn’t Grow on Trees
Article by Courtney Loy

Are you enslaved to the desire of always wanting more and better? Money really doesn’t grow on trees -- and some of us are growing more aware of this fact every day. Truthfully, most people deal with financial stress

People Count Most
Article by Paul Faulkner

How much stuff do you own and have in your garage? Stuff enslaves us rather than blesses us and people count most in our lives.

True Freedom?
Article by Paul Faulkner

How much stuff makes us free? Paul Faulkner talks about how possessions seem to take over our lives and own us.

What Is Your Price?
Article by Max Lucado

When questioned, most people questioned would give up many precious things for 10 million dollars. Would you? Max Lucado challenges us to think about how many of us give up our values and most precious life connections for far less than millions of dollars because we are greedy for something.

What Really Matters
Article by Melissa Troyer

What would you take if our house were burning down, and, if everyone were already out of the house? Melissa Troyer reminds us that things are just things, but if we have people we love then we have what matters most!

The Joy of Giving
Article by Patrick D. Odum

How can this bring me more joy? Patrick Odum tells about a boy who shared his winnings with his father rather than spending it only on himself and the joy that this attitude brought the father and Patrick compares this to the joy we give our Father, God, when we share.

Having a Fitting Reply
Virtual Worship by Demetrius Collins & Phil Ware

Let's worship today, praising God and asking for the help of the Holy Spirit as we seek to respond to people as Jesus did! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in online, virtual worship through words and music using YouTube videos to help us understand how to give fitting replies to others in different conversation contexts.

A Forgotten, but Necessary, Grace of Jesus
Article by Phil Ware

Should we be surprised that so many call themselves Christians but never live for Jesus? Phil Ware shares a passion on his heart about the way we have privatized and personalize conversion and salvation that eliminates the necessary grace of Jesus' community, family, and spiritual community.

Communion: Passion, Pain, and Promise
Article by Max Lucado

Communion was intended to be an I-can't-believe-it's-me-pinch-me-I'm-dreaming invitation to sit at God's table and be served by the King himself. Max Lucado tells about sharing communion as a boy and what it means to us now -- more than symbol, it's sacrament, a holy time of anticipation.

How Less Becomes More
Article by Rubel Shelly

How in the world does having less mean having more? Rubel Shelly reminds us that even in a season when folks have less than they are used to having, if they look they will actually find that they have more.

Peace?
Article by Tom Norvell

Have you found the source of peace for every season? Tom Norvell describes Jesus as the only source of peace in any season.

Stuck at the Tracks
Article by Russ Lawson

Is your life stuck at the light? A car stuck at a light reminds

The Way of Jesus #1: Truly See the Coming King
Article by James Nored & Phil Ware

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, James Nored and Phil Ware share the significance of Jesus' Triumphal Entry as they begin a special Holy Week series.

Cross References for Luke 12

Cross References Provided by Open Bible

The Berean Standard Bible

The Berean Standard Bible (BSB) is a modern, clear, and faithful translation based on the best available Greek and Hebrew manuscripts. Ideal for reading, study, and sharing, it entered the public domain in 2023. For more information, visit berean.bible.