the basic message #E215
11/17/03
What are you worried about today? Very few of us are worry-free, but make no mistake, many of our worries are frivolous and test God's patience. Did God talk specifically about worry in the Bible? Yep.
Matthew 6:25-27
"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?"
Jesus Christ himself said the words above, so they should carry plenty of weight in your life- do they? I find it odd to see people spending plenty of money buying clothes to put on a body that they abuse regularly. If they test God's patience by slowing killing themselves with cigarettes or by gluttony, it seems strange that they fret over the right outfit to clothe a body that they're destroying. Go figure. I always find it amusing when a rotund pastor like John Hagee preaches against gluttony while tipping the scales at something close to 300 pounds. Does Hagee have a medical condition that explains his weight? Perhaps, but if he does, he should specifically mention that when he preaches against gluttony and slothfulness, lest the audience think that he isn't living by the words he preaches.
Jesus makes one point quite clear- God takes care of birds that don't work for a living, so it should be a no-brainer that he will take care of those he created in his own image. Apparently some people interpret this passage to mean that they don't have to get a job, that God will take care of them regardless. This is an extreme viewpoint, and extreme viewpoints on either side of the discussion are rarely correct. Some people in Thessalonica got the wrong impression 2000 years ago:
1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
Apparently some of the Christians of Thessalonica were so caught-up in the immediate coming of Christ that they felt like they didn't need to work. Some folks still get crossed-up in their "Jesus is coming soon" opinions. How so? If a church puts this message on their sign, "Jesus is coming soon", yet has a plan in place to build a multi-million dollar facility over a 5 year period, which do you believe? I mean, if Jesus is really coming soon, wouldn't a church want to spend every nickel and every minute trying to get the Gospel out to the multitudes right now? What possible good is a lavish new church building going to be in the last days? It's just another contradiction that many churches are famous for, friend.
Jesus continues to discuss worry in Matthew Chapter 6, but what he says at the end of that chapter is the part we need to really pay attention to:
Matthew 6:33-34
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Most of us have a 401K or other retirement plans. We all know how poorly most investments have performed over the past few years. Why do you think that happened? The financial experts among us can point to all sorts of economic indicators, but in the final analysis, could it be that America has ceased to first seek God's kingdom and righteousness? Could it be that American Christians pursue anything and everything else and then turn to God? I still struggle with this, but I know beyond a shadow of doubt that if I give to God what he asks, even if it's not as complete as it should be, he will bless me. I've seen it time and time again- if I just move slightly toward him, he will always meet me more than half-way. He is a loving father that wants to spend some quality time with his kids. If you're a parent, do you have a child that only spends time with you when they're in a jam? While you might still love them, don't you get tired of thinking, "what's wrong now?" when they call or come to see you? Wouldn't it be nice for them just to spend time with you when everything is good? God feels the same way- he's always there for us when we need him, but he'd like our attention when times are good too.
For those of you who are overcome with worry, take it to God. I'm not suggesting that God will solve all of your problems, although he certainly can. What God is more likely to do is change your perspective first, equipping you with courage to face your troubles. Once he can calm you down, then he will reveal to you the solution to your problems. If you don't listen to God's advice, both in his written word and in what he implants in your mind, you have no room to complain. Example: if you're worried about going bankrupt, don't keep charging more stuff on your credit cards that you don't need. God's patience has its limits too. If you and I can align ourselves with God's plan for mankind, life will run very smoothly. Try it.