LUKE 12:22-34 WHY WORRY? Covetousness, anxiety and greed often find themselves working together. The anxious, worrisome concern that can fill a person's mind really doesn't produce any beneficial results. Responsible planning is a good thing. But anxiety over what might possibly go wrong after we have committed that work to the Lord, is bad. Worry doesn't fulfill any useful purpose. It is a futile waste of one's mind and time. It can even appear foolish to those around who are expecting better from a person of faith who they expect to actually trust God. Yet worry is a real problem in life to some people. The Lord Jesus Christ addressed that matter by saying in essence, "Do not be anxious," "Don't be afraid," and if possessions are a problem and a trap, sell your possessions and give the proceeds to the poor. Then you won't be worrying about what you possibly will lose. Even more than that, it will be a good investment in the kingdom of God.
So what can be done about worry? How can this futile emotion be dealt with and overcome? The solution begins with remembering who you are. We become children of God by faith in Jesus Christ. The one who created and controls the universe is our Father. He who made creatures like birds has arranged that they be fed. We can't add time to the length of our life or height to our bodies because those things are under the controlling power of our Father. He who covers the plants in the fields with colors and gives them the nutrients they need for life, is our Father. He is not some distant authority who does not know what is going on in our life, He is our Father. To overcome the problem (and often the sin) of worry, we need to simply trust Him. When we pray instead of worry, we get the right perspective on a problem. The when we understand the nature of a provoking issue, we can make plans and form a strategy as to how to deal with, and correct, the problem. We may need the help and support of others who will pray for us to have the needed strength and wisdom to deal with the cause of worry.
We can be comforted then by the fact that any perceived problem we have a tendency to worry about, is in better hands then ours. Our Father is a shepherd who is tending to His "little flock." He is our gracious Father who is delighted to gives us what we need, and withhold from us what would be bad for us. He is also our King. He has authority over the animal and plant creation that He created for His own pleasure. We can certainly trust Him to deal with anything that we have been worrying about.
He maintains all things by the word of His power and He wants us to have the benefits of His kingdom. If we truly give Him the place as Lord and King in our life, then He has the right to direct and guide my work so the outcome of any meaningful labor will be what He intends, not what my ambition dictates. He has the right to guide my leisure time in a way that is most beneficial to me and the least harmful to my body, soul and spirit. The plans I make are under the direction of my Shepherd - Father - King. There will be mistakes if I go ahead with whatever my limited knowledge chooses to do. The friendships and relationships I form will only be profitable and right, if they are in submission to His divine will.
If money is a worry, then see how it can be best used for the purpose God allowed me to get it for in the first place. To accumulate it and hoard it up becomes a bondage to us which creates worry. The use of it frees us, especially when it benefits other people. By using it in that way, it stores up treasures in heaven. When money creates worry, it is time to get rid of it for good uses.
What really makes money useful? The labor expended and exchanged for money enables me to pass on what is valuable in the kingdom of God to other people who are at a distance from me. When it is directed to a work or service done by others, the cumulative effect of my hours of labor is passed on to others who do the same. It is remarkable how much benefit can be derived from one person's effort being used in this way. That is how it can be considered treasure in heaven. It is not just the accumulation of interest, but the means by which the on-going use of that initial effort can bring blessing to many, and through everyone involved, glory to God. Such a true investment frees me from worry about money and gives me joy and satisfaction as it continues to be a blessing.
It is a common practice for people all over the earth - To labor, day by day and measure what that is worth By what we call money, a value-oriented term To express in a word what a person's daily labor earns.
That earned money then is used to provide for personal needs. It may be used for shelter or food - many mouths to feed. The point of it can be very good when used as it is intended. And a faithful laborer finds satisfaction in the work he has expended.
The problem comes when worry is saved for merely selfish ends. One who accumulated, then hoards, soon loses all his friends. Covetousness creates worry, and worry has no aim. When it continues on, the problems remain the same.
The ravens don't have to worry, there is food for them to find. Even the bats who live in darkness, survive though they are blind. Flowers in the fields may appear dead until the coming spring. And then God supplies the color only the Creator can bring.
For those who know the Shepherd, He knows each one by name. And His care never does diminish, every day He is just the same. He knows everything that is needed, and the best way to supply Every need that might arise; on His provision we rely.
He is our heavenly Father, and the Father knows what's best. He knows when we should labor, and knows when we need rest. He knows our every need before it ever comes. And from His heart of love, meets every single one.
As King He has authority, and the wise person does submit To His wise instructions given, and as to how we best can fit Into His plan of the ages of which we have a part. We don't have to worry because He knows the end before we start.
"My gracious and long-suffering Father, I thank Thee for putting up my poor manners in this wilderness. More and more each day I can see how orderly and in control Thou art, and how disorderly and out-of-control I can be when I take things into my own
hands. In my mind and hear I surrender to Thee. Help Thy servant to make this a daily reality. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."