As a human, it’s very hard to not worry. The economy is crumbling and it’s only because of God’s grace that we have food on our tables and a home to go to after work. We often worry, how will we pay this bill or how will we send our kids to college? But that is not how we are supposed to think. We are supposed to have faith that God will protect us and provide for us.
“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?...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.”
-Matthew 6:24-27…33-34
The birds have food because God feeds them. Are we not more important than them? Lilies of the field are beautifully dressed only to wither away. Will God not clothe us as well? If you lay all your needs on the Lord, and know that you he is your soul provider, than he will give you what you need plus more. You are his child and he cares for you.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but, in everything,
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 minds in Christ Jesus.”
-Philippians 4:6-7
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
-Philippians 4:19
It seems as though we work for barely enough to feed our families. However, we are to be pleased with what we have and that we are able to work.
“A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink
and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see is from the
hands of God, for without him, who can eat of find enjoyment?”
-Ecclesiastes 2:24-25
“Then I realized that it is good and proper for
a man to eat and drink, and to find
satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days
of life God has given him-for this is his lot.”
-Ecclesiastes 5:18
God wants us to be content with what we have. So many people today are on the streets with no jobs, standing on the roadside begging for money from motorists. You should feel blessed that you have a job. And remember, it is not your own doing but it is God's. And if you don't have a job, then that is God's plan for you. For everything is done according to his own plan, not yours. Whether we are poor are rich, it is all from God. Paul wrote to the Philippians:
“…for I have learned to be content with whatever the circumstances.
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content in any
and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether
living in plenty or in want.”
-Philippians 4:11-12
We are to keep from the love of money. Money will not make us happy or get us to heaven. Yes, money is important in paying bills and getting food in today’s world, but that is not the only thing we have to rely on. Rely on God and he will protect you and everything you own.
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have,
because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”
-Hebrews 13:5
“For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take
nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing,
we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into
temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires
that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of
all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced
themselves with many griefs.”
-1 Timothy 6:7-10
If we have what we need to live, then we should be happy and content and not strive to have any more. God does say he will bless those who glorify Him, but do not glorify him just to get blessings. Glorify him because you know he exists and he is true and just. Glorify him because you love him and want to serve him. We came from dust, and will return to dust. We can’t take anything with us from this earth to heaven with us. How many hearses do you see with U-Haul trucks towed behind them? The only riches we should desire are those that are Godly and pure.
“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 you heart will be also.
-Matthew 6: 19-21
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