What Are You Aiming For?
Imagine a professional archer in a championship match. He lines up the shot, breathes, releases—and hits the bullseye. But the announcers gasp: “He hit the wrong target!” That’s the tragedy Jesus warns about in Luke 12:22–34. You can succeed in all the wrong ways—reach your financial goals, enjoy a comfortable life, and still miss what really matters.
So ask yourself: What am I really aiming for? And will it matter 10,000 years from now?
Jesus calls us to stop aiming low. He lifts our eyes to something better: the kingdom of God. He invites us to trust the Father, let go of fear, and live for treasure that can never be lost.
How Anxiety Steals Your Aim
Jesus tells His disciples, “Do not be anxious about your life…” (Luke 12:22). But this isn’t a cold command. It’s an invitation to freedom.
Anxiety is misdirected. It convinces us to set our hearts on the wrong things. But life, Jesus reminds us, is more than food and the body more than clothing. He points to the ravens—unclean, overlooked birds. And yet, God feeds them. If He cares for ravens, how much more does He care for you, His beloved child? Then He points to the lilies. God clothes them in beauty, though they bloom and wither in a single day. You are worth far more than flowers.
Jesus exposes the truth:
- Anxiety is deceptive—it misleads your heart.
- Anxiety is useless—it changes nothing.
- Anxiety dishonors God—it doubts His wisdom, goodness, and sovereignty.
So what do we do? We step out of the fog. We fix our eyes on our Father’s care. We live like citizens of a better kingdom.
Follow Your Anxiety to Find Your Treasure
Jesus gets to the root of it in Luke 12:34: “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Want to know what you truly value? Follow your anxiety.
- If you worry about money, money may be your treasure.
- If you obsess over approval, image might be your treasure.
- If you cling to control, safety or comfort might be your treasure.
But Jesus offers a better way: “Seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.” (v. 31)
Kingdom ambition displaces fear and anxiety. It frees us to live for what lasts.
What Kingdom Living Looks Like
The kingdom of God isn’t just an abstract idea—it’s the reign of Jesus over all things. And one day, His kingdom will fill every corner of the earth. Until then, we live as His ambassadors.
Here’s what it looks like:
- We praise Jesus boldly and often.
- We pray kingdom-saturated prayers.
- We pursue holiness with urgency.
- We make disciples where we live, learn, work, and play.
- We leverage our money and possessions for gospel impact.
This is not radical Christianity—it’s normal Christianity. It’s the life Jesus modeled and the one He calls us to follow.
As C.T. Studd once said: “If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.”
Freedom Through Kingdom Living
When you aim it all toward heaven, you discover freedom from fear, anxiety, and greed.
Jesus says, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)
That’s the heart of God. He is not stingy. Giving is not a burden to Him. It is His joy! He delights to give you what truly satisfies.
Don’t settle for:
- Promotions when you could pursue purpose.
- Financial comfort when you could invest in eternity.
- Retirement dreams when Jesus invites you to reign with Him forever.
Your Father is offering you more than the American dream—He’s offering you His unshakable kingdom.
5 Everyday Practices that Aim Your Life at Eternity
- Treasure Jesus above all. You won’t let go of lesser things until you grip something better—Christ Himself.
- Pray for freedom from greed. Ask God to help you see money as a tool, not a treasure.
- Trust God’s promises. If He feeds birds and clothes flowers, He’ll meet your needs.
- Decide how much you will give. Make generosity your starting point—not an afterthought.
- Put systems in place to live generously. Build a budget. Kill bad debt. Save wisely. Plan your giving.
As John Wesley said: “Gain all you can. Save all you can. Give all you can.”
Live for the Kingdom Every Day
At E4:12, we aim to unleash God’s people to make disciples in the everyday stuff of life. That includes how we spend, give, teach, parent, work, and love. What would it look like to leverage your Tuesday for the kingdom? To bring intentionality to the school drop-off line, the team meeting, the dinner table, or your bank account? The question isn’t just what we’re doing on Sundays. It’s what we’re aiming our lives at Monday through Saturday.
One day, none of your possessions will matter—only the people and investments you made for the kingdom of God. Can you imagine the joy of arriving in heaven and hearing someone say, “Thank you. I’m here because you gave. You aimed your life at something eternal.”
So:
- Repent: Turn from small ambitions and embrace kingdom vision.
- Ponder: Who might be welcomed into heaven because of your obedience?
- Plan: What can your family live on, so you can give the rest away to kingdom purposes.
- Pray: Ask God for the faith to live like heaven is real.
In the words of Jim Elliott: “He is no fool, who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”
Be a wise disciple who invests in what you cannot lose. Start today. Aim it all toward heaven!
