Folly of Anxiety – RATorrey

The Folly of Anxiety

Luke 12:22–34 – by: R. A. Torrey

Discovery of the Facts

1.    God’s Care for His Creatures, vv. 22–28

What was the central lesson of the preceding lesson? What is the central lesson of this? What is the connection between that lesson and this? In what two ways as seen in the last lesson and this does a heart set upon temporal things manifest itself? What is the Revised Version of “take no thought”? What is Paul’s cure for anxiety? (Phil. 4:6.) The psalmist’s? (Ps. 55:22.) Peter’s? (1 Peter 5:7.) Christ’s radical cure? (Matt. 6:24, 25, and the remainder of lesson.) Is it possible for one to live without anxiety? Is there any direct Bible warrant for wise forethought in providing for the future? (Prov. 6:6–8; Gen. 41:33–36; Eph. 4:28; 1 Tim. 5:8; 2 Thess. 3:10; Matt. 26:17–19.) What is forbidden? What are the things that our Lord specifies that we are not to be anxious about? Is there much anxiety in the world about these things today? In what way do we see in this lesson that our Lord felt the disciples were greatly exposed to this peril? (The number and variety of reasons given against it.) Is this just as much an imperative command as the others of Christ?

What is the first reason given here by Christ for not being anxious about food? What is its force? Which is the more important—the body or the clothes we put upon it? What shall we say then of those who sacrifice the health of the body for the sake of clothes?

What is the second reason given for not being anxious (v. 24)? Are we to infer from God’s feeding the ravens without their working that we need not work? What passage in God’s Word would correct any such notion as that? (2 Thess. 3:10.) What is the force of the argument? What is meant by our being much better than the fowls? (See R. V.) What is the reason of the value that God sets upon man? (John 3:16.)

What is the third reason (vv. 25, 26)? (It accomplishes nothing.) The fourth reason (vv. 27, 28)? Against what especial form of anxiety is this a reason? (Matt. 6:28.) What is the point of this argument? Is it really true that the adornment of the flowers is more perfect and glorious than that of Solomon? When will our Father clothe us with raiment more wondrous than theirs? Is it right for us to look at and study the beauties of nature? For what purpose ought we to study them?

Of what lack did our Lord say this worry was an indication? Is it a common lack? (8:25; Matt. 14:31; 16:8; 17:17, 20.) Is it a serious lack? (Heb. 11:6.)

2.   What to Seek and What Not to Seek, vv. 29–34

How does our Lord sum up the teaching of the lesson so far? What is meant? (Matt. 6:31.) What is the proper limit of our desires in these things? (1 Tim. 6:8, R. V.) Are most people satisfied with that much? Has that fact anything to do with their anxiety?

What is the fifth reason given against worldly anxiety? What is the difference between a heathen and a Christian if the Christian has the same ambitions and treasures as a heathen? What is then the man whose heart is set upon earthly things? Have we got any heathen in our churches?

What is the sixth reason? Is that as good as the others? What is it that God knows we need? What then may we be sure of? (Phil. 4:19.) What is to be the great object of the Christian’s search (v. 31)? What is the kingdom of God? (Ro. 14:17.) If you want to get men to take their affections off from earthly things what is the best thing to do? Has our seeking of the kingdom of God anything to do with our being anxious about worldly things? If our one supreme consuming desire and interest is in His kingdom how much worldly anxiety will we have? What promise accompanies the exhortation? What is meant by “these things”? Are similar promises to this to be found elsewhere in the Bible? (Ps. 34:9, 10; 37:3, 25; 84:11; Heb. 13:5; Ro. 8:31.) If we want food, drink, clothing, what is the surest way to get them?

What final word full of comfort does our Lord give them (v. 32)? Why does He call them a “little flock”? Is the fact that it is God’s, etc., a sufficient reason for not fearing? What is the kingdom that is to be given them? (Matt. 25:34; 2 Thess. 1:5; Heb. 12:28; Jas. 2:5; 2 Peter 1:11; Rev. 22:5.) To what word of practical exhortation does this word of comfort form a basis? Does this mean that a man is to literally give away all he has? (18:22; Acts 2:45; 4:34, 35; Matt. 6:19, 20; 1 Tim. 6:17–19; James 5:1–3.) What is the best bank to lay up money in? The safest purse to carry it in? Where can we keep it where it will be safe from robbery and corruption? Does our place in the future life depend on how we use our money here? Will every one who gives away money here lay up treasure in heaven?

What is the final reason our Lord gives for laying up our treasures there (v. 34)? Where is your treasure? Where is your heart? What are the six reasons He gives against anxiety?

Classification of Teachings

1.    God

(1).    His goodness, wisdom, power and providential care revealed in nature:

He feeds the birds, 24;

He clothes the grass, 28.

(2).    His relation to His children:

He knows their need, 30;

He clothes them, 24;

He feeds them, 28;

He has a kingdom for them, 32;

He must be put first by them, 31.

2.   Anxiety

Has no ground, 24, 28; does no good, 25; reveals no faith, 28; can furnish no excuse, 22–32; results from a divided heart, 22, 31; is positive disobedience—sin, 22.

3.   Seven Doses for Dyspeptic Christians

(1).    God gives life, He will surely maintain it, 23;

(2).    God feeds the birds, much more will He feed His children, 24;

(3).    God clothes the grass, much more will He clothe His children, 28;

(4).    Worry cannot add one cubit to one’s stature, but can add much leanness to our souls, 26, 28;

(5).    Worry is natural in a heathen, but monstrous in a Christian, 30;

(6).    Our Father knows our every need, 30;

(7).    It is our Father’s purpose to give us a kingdom, He will surely provide our travelling outfit, 32.

4.   The Kingdom of God

God’s gift, 32; should be our first aim, brings with it all other good, 31; our position in it depends upon our use of our money here, 33.

5.   Food and Clothes

Something the world is anxious about, 30; for which God’s children are tempted to forget Him, 22; God’s children need, 30; God’s children need not be anxious about, 22; God’s children must put second, 31; God’s children will be supplied with by their Father, 24, 28.

6.   God’s Children

His children under His bountiful care, 24, 28, 30; His flock under His mighty protection, 32; His heirs destined for His eternal kingdom, 32; His almoners to dispense His bounties, 33; His depositors with treasures in His bank, 33.^[1]