Study Desk

'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many good things stored up, [enough] for many years; rest and relax, eat, drink and be merry (celebrate continually)."'

"So it is for the one who continues to store up and hoard possessions for himself, and is not rich [in his relationship] toward God."

Jesus said to His disciples, "For this reason I tell you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; or about your body, as to what you will wear.

"For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

"Consider the ravens, for they neither sow [seed] nor reap [the crop]; they have no storehouse or barn, and yet God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than the birds!

"So as for you, do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink; nor have an anxious and unsettled mind.

For all the [pagan] nations of the world greedily seek these things; and your [heavenly] Father [already] knows that you need them.

"But [strive for and actively] seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

"Do not be afraid and anxious, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

"Sell your possessions (show compassion) and give [donations] to the poor. Provide money belts for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing and inexhaustible treasure in the heavens, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

"Be dressed and ready for active service, and keep your lamps continuously burning.

"Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that when he comes and knocks they may immediately open the door for him.

for from now on five in one household will be divided [over Me], three against two and two against three.

"For while you are going with your opponent [at law] to appear before a magistrate, on the way make an effort to settle, so that he does not drag you before the judge, and the judge does not [rule against you and] turn you over to the officer, and the officer does not throw you into prison.

Then He began telling them this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree that had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it, but did not find any;

so he said to the vineyard-keeper, 'For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and have found none. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground [depleting the soil and blocking the sunlight]?'

And there was a woman who for eighteen years had had an illness caused by a spirit (demon). She was bent double, and could not straighten up at all.

"And this woman, a daughter (descendant) of Abraham whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day?"

"Strive to enter through the narrow door [force aside unbelief and the attractions of sin]; for many, I tell you, will try to enter [by their own works] and will not be able.