Little Flock

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Photo from https://www.simplyss.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Tips-for-organizing-your-self-storage.jpg. 



Scripture:


Luke 12:32   “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell 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. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.


Observation:


Neale tells us, “This is the only passage in which the tender phrase little flock occurs in the Bible” (NBBC). The disciples were a very small little flock of followers. Jesus’ tenderness toward them was continually evident. He loved this little flock but, just because they were small didn’t mean that they were not mighty. The Father desired to give this little flock his entire kingdom. 


The possessions of the kingdom are not those that are found on earth. Luke uses similar language here that he uses in Acts. Strauss says, “The command is not to make oneself destitute, but to recognize that all of our possessions are to be used for God’s purposes” (ZIBBCNT). Our security does not come from the things that we store up for ourselves, but rather by that which we give away. 


Far too many of our worldly goods are only temporal, and if they are not cared for, nature herself will simply wear them out. That’s why our treasure is to be in the things of the kingdom, and not the things of this world. 


Application:


Jesus has been encouraging his little flock to understand the depths of the Father’s love and care for them. This was truly a lesson in entire, or complete dependence upon God. 


I’m fascinated by the use of the term “little flock.” In English we don’t have ‘diminutives,’ but we certainly did in Russian. I found it sweet when people would use a diminutive of my name, such as “Carlichka.” It’s a way of expressing endearment to someone that you love. It’s like all the lovely little nicknames that we have for our loved ones! This is what this term sounds like in the Greek — it is a diminutive. This is Jesus’ dear, sweet and loved little flock and his Father is going to take care of their eternal needs. 


That language wasn’t just for the disciples in the first century, but Luke records it for the disciples who are to come in later times. Now, 2000 years later, Jesus’ posture toward his disciples hasn’t changed. He looks upon us and sees his little flock. Jesus didn’t seem too concerned with the size of the flock, but more about the way in which they would live the life of self-emptying, just as he had done. Jesus willingly gave up his riches as the Son of God so that he might share his inheritance with all of us. We are supposed to live with this same attitude, willingly giving away what we have to share with others. 


In the United States just over 13 million Americans rent storage containers for their “stuff.” The average cost is $90 a month. If I’m doing my math right, we spend a little over $14 billion a year to store things. Actually, I discovered that the average industry revenue is $39.5 billion. (https://www.sparefoot.com/self-storage/news/1432-self-storage-industry-statistics/) What an indictment “for your treasure is, there you heart will be also.” I’d hate to think that our hearts were in a storage container somewhere! If even a fraction of the money spent on storing our things were given away to those in need, we would have a significant impact. 


As my husband and I drive across the country we are amazed at the number of concrete distribution centers being built around the country. That’s not to store stuff, but to get us the stuff that we are buying on-line. Pretty overwhelming. 


Dear little flock! Oh how our Father loves us and doesn’t want our lives to be consumed with worry about the things in a storage container, or our latest Amazon delivery. Things will never satisfy, nor will they remove fear. We, the little flock, are to depend entirely on the Good Shepherd who will provide each day. 


Prayer:


Lord, may I empty myself of the things that do not satisfy. Fill me with a heart of generosity, sharing what you have given me. Amen. 

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