Jesus said, “For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. For life is more than fod, and the body more than clothing.” Lk 12:22,23.
Men say, “Don’t tell me not to worry. I can’t help it!” Men make excuses for not doing what Jesus said. What Jesus said applies to others, but not to my circumstances.
The thief on the cross could change his heart and make a plea to Jesus, confessing his guilt. The rich young ruler had many possessions which were his first priority, Mt 19. To follow Jesus he had to give away all of his possessions. The lawyer in Luke 10:25ff wished to have eternal life and needed to love his neighbor the way the good Samaritan did, LK 10:29ff.
Later in Luke, Jesus talked about the rich farmer who foolishly planned his life without God, Lk 12:16ff. The problem was greed (v15) and the love of possessions. The message to the disciples was to, “Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys“, Lk 12: 33. It’s not just the very rich who can bow to mammon. We all must decide if we are going to serve God or our possessions.
What is the “nut of the matter”? It’s all about what we seek and where our heart is. No matter where we are when we hear the invitation to follow Jesus, we must assess where our heart is and where our treasure is. If our heart is in eternal things, the choice to leave behind possessions, relationships, or old beliefs will be easy. Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also“, Lk 12:34.
So where is your heart? That’s what salvation boils down to. That’s the nut of the matter.
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A Conquering Faith 
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