Are You Worried? Why?

Verse of the day: Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

The born again believer can find themselves in two positions; we will put ourselves in bondage to money and material things when we allow ourselves to become covetous for the things of this world, or we will worry, unnecessarily, about how we will have enough money to pay for the essentials of life, such as food, clothing, shelter, and even transportation. The preoccupation with where this provision will come from causes many of God’s children much anxiety. I will say right at the outset that when we worry about such things, we are clearly saying to God that we do not trust Him to take care of us, and provide for our needs. Jesus told us in verse 8 of this chapter that God knows what we need, even before we ask. As Christians, we must know the difference between what we need, and what we want. What we need, God promised to supply; while what we want may not always be what God wants for us, because He always knows what is best for us to have or not have. Before addressing the issue of worry, Jesus first pointed out that we, as His followers, should concern ourselves more with laying up treasures for ourselves in Heaven (v. 19-21). He pointed out that where we put our eyes will determine where our desires will be (v. 22-23). If we constantly put our eyes on that which we do not have, we will become ungrateful for that which God has already provided. The world is very good at pointing out all the new and improved “stuff” that we just cannot live without, and we often get sucked in like dumb sheep; only to become slaves to expenses that we cannot maintain; increasing our anxieties. He sums that all up by telling us that we cannot serve two masters. We will either serve God wholeheartedly, or we will serve money wholeheartedly (v. 24). The conclusion Jesus brings us to is that we need not worry if we are trusting God to take care of our every need. He illustrates this by pointing out that God provides, and takes care of, the birds of the air. They do not work, they do not worry; if anything, they fill the air with songs day and night, and even on the rainiest of days. I am reminded of this every time there is a gathering of these feathered critters all over the deck of our home, feeding at our bird feeders. When they are not there, they are gathered in the trees surrounding our home, feeding and nesting. The bottom line is that Jesus told his disciples, and us, that just as He feeds the birds, and dresses the fields (v. 28-30), He will also take care of us. Why? He takes care of us because we are of greater significance to God than the birds. He proved it by dying for us. In verse 32, He once again reminds us that He knows what we need; therefore, rather than worry about our daily provision, we need to concern ourselves with what we are doing to help further the Gospel message, and whether or not we are living a holy and righteous life as we represent Jesus here on earth. Why worry about tomorrow, if we are not even guaranteed tomorrow, and the troubles of tomorrow are already in God’s hands (v. 34). Let us not allow our worries and anxieties rob us of the joy we have in Jesus. When our goals, in life, as born again believers, are based on how much money we can make, or whether or not we have the newest home, newest car, or newest technological gadget, we are clearly serving the material world, and not God. In the end, all that we gather here will stay here, because we can take none of it with us. I will close with this, 1 Timothy 6:6-10 reads: Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing their sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).