What's the Worry?

Jesus knows our nature. He knows we’re prone to worry. Perhaps that’s why he warned, “Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:25-27) Elsewhere in Scripture Paul reminds us, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”

 

In spite of these words of both admonition and assurance, Christians still tend to worry. Sometimes worry about the ability to provide for our families takes over our lives to such an extent that it guides our thoughts and actions. We put off giving to the Lord through our church—“temporarily,” we say—until we feel secure in our financial situations. Life, as you know, seems to throw one crisis after another at us, and, often, that financial security never comes.

 

We have the same worry when it comes to serving. We complain that we just don’t have time. We work long hours, and then we have commitments to our families. How can we go to meetings or make meals for a family whose mom is sick?

 

“Later” we tell ourselves and even God. Later, when the college tuitions are paid and the kids are out of the house. Then we’ll have time and money. But even then temptations are sure to creep up that could prevent cheerful giving to the Lord.

 

We reap what we sow, we read in 2 Corinthians 9:6. What are you sowing? Proverbs 11:18 reads, “He who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.” Matthew 6:19-21 records Jesus’ words, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

 

Don’t worry! Take God at his Word: give generously, serve without reward, take time to help others, and watch him satisfy your every need.

- Epiphany’s Stewardship Committee