Don’t Worry, But Don't Sit Around
Jesus has some challenging words for us in Luke 12 this week, issuing a startling warning against greed and storing up the wrong treasures. Then in verses 22-28, we read this: "Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!" (Luke 12:22-28)
We often use this passage to address worry or anxiety in general, and I think it is helpful in that sense. But in context, Jesus was talking particularly about worrying over money matters. He was telling people that God would always provide food and clothing for them, and so hoarding and stressing about money and possessions is unnecessary for the child of God.
Trust and Work Together
Now, this doesn't mean that you don't plan, organise, and work for your money. In Luke 10:7 Jesus said that "the worker deserves his wages." Paul quoted Jesus' words, and also quoted from Deuteronomy 25:4, when he wrote these words to Timothy: "Scripture says, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages." (1 Timothy 5:18). So we are meant to work, to 'tread out grain' so to speak, and earn our living fairly. In fact somebody once said that you should trust in God as if He did everything, but work as earnestly as if you had to do everything yourself. It is trust and hard work that makes for a godly life.
But I think for those who don't have work, or who are in a financial bind, these words of Jesus to 'not worry' about your food or your clothing take on a new significance. Jesus said that worry about these things will not add a single hour to your life - rather, a life of faith (even little faith) will calm those fears and help us to rest in the assurance of God's care.
Prayer Alleviates Worry
I believe that it is prayers of thanksgiving that alleviate our worry about these things, in the end. And I get that from Philippians 4, where Paul wrote these great words in verses 6-7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7) A lifestyle of thankful prayer and petition results in peace.
So, go out and do all you can to find work and earn your wages fairly. Don't sit and do nothing when you can go look for work or start your own thing. But pray deeply, and fervently, for God to provide for you and your family. I believe that this mix of working hard whilst trusting in God is the recipe for a worry-free and peaceful Christian life.
