Reassurance, True Treasures, Watchfulness and Faithfulness

Matthew 6:34

Luke 12:32

34 So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today.

32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Matthew 6:19-21

Luke 12:33-34

19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

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.

Matthew 24:42.51

[Matthew 25:1-13]

Luke 12:35-40

Cf. Mt. 25:1-13, the Parable of the Ten Virgins, and the Lamps motif (vv. 1, 3, 7, 8).



Mt. 24:42 Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.


 43 But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.


44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.


45 "Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. 48 But if that wicked slave says to himself, 'My master is delayed,' 49 and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. 51 He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

35 “Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; 36 be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks.

37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.

Mark 13:33-37 33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Therefore, keep awake-for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake."

39 “But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”

Cf. Kurt Aland, ed., Synopsis of the Four Gospels, 1982, rev. printing 1985, secs. 201-203 (part), p. 182-185.

* NRSV


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