What does Luke 12:29 mean?

This is Jesus' summary statement of the previous verses. God provides food for the ravens; He can provide for His followers. Worry is useless. His point is not that Christians ought not work or make any effort to procure food. The day before the crucifixion, Jesus will tell Peter and John, "Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it" (Luke 22:8). That instruction meant that they were to buy the food they needed. Nor is it saying that God will always feed His followers and we will never die of starvation. Neither are the message of the text.

"Seek" is connected to "worry." The main thrust of the verse and the passage is "nor be worried." Worry, in this context, means the kind of fearful, angst-ridden panic that comes from a lack of trust. That will not provide food or clothes, nor add a single minute to our lives. These things are in God's power and providence. He has given us life for a much greater purpose: to seek His kingdom (Luke 12:31).

The word "seek" appears in Luke 12:29, 30, and 31. It means to make looking for something a priority. The context of the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:13–21) and Jesus' comments about the permanence of the treasure of God's kingdom adds the idea of accumulation (Luke 12:32–34). We strive to acquire and accumulate what we desire. Jesus' point is that it does no good to prioritize stockpiling needs of this world that we can lose by death, theft, or destruction. Our lives are more important than that. Better to seek the kingdom of God, "a treasure in the heavens that does not fail" (Luke 12:33).