15. He told the people, “Be careful to guard yourselves from every kind of greed. Life is not about having a lot of material possessions.”
16. Then he used this illustration. He said, “A rich man had land that produced good crops.
17. He thought, ‘What should I do? I don’t have enough room to store my crops.’
18. He said, ‘I know what I’ll do. I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones so that I can store all my grain and goods in them.
19. Then I’ll say to myself, “You’ve stored up a lot of good things for years to come. Take life easy, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.” ’
20. “But God said to him, ‘You fool! I will demand your life from you tonight! Now who will get what you’ve accumulated?’
21. That’s how it is when a person has material riches but is not rich in his relationship with God.”
22. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “So I tell you to stop worrying about what you will eat or wear.
23. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes.
24. Consider the crows. They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even have a storeroom or a barn. Yet, God feeds them. You are worth much more than birds.
25. “Can any of you add an hour to your life by worrying?
26. If you can’t do a small thing like that, why worry about other things?
27. Consider how the flowers grow. They never work or spin yarn for clothes. But I say that not even Solomon in all his majesty was dressed like one of these flowers.
28. That’s the way God clothes the grass in the field. Today it’s alive, and tomorrow it’s thrown into an incinerator. So how much more will he clothe you people who have so little faith?
29. “Don’t concern yourself about what you will eat or drink, and quit worrying about these things.
30. Everyone in the world is concerned about these things, but your Father knows you need them.
31. Rather, be concerned about his kingdom. Then these things will be provided for you.
32. Don’t be afraid, little flock. Your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.
33. “Sell your material possessions, and give the money to the poor. Make yourselves wallets that don’t wear out! Make a treasure for yourselves in heaven that never loses its value! In heaven thieves and moths can’t get close enough to destroy your treasure.