What, Me Worry?

Matthew 6:31-34 – So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 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. (NIV)

Years ago, while I was in high school, I had several friends who really enjoyed Mad magazine. One of them regularly bought each issue, and we would get together and read it. The face of Alfred E. Neuman, freckled and sporting a toothy grin, stared out at us with the words "What, me worry?" prominently displayed.

Jesus spoke about worry, saying that we should let God do the worrying and just get on with life. Realize that you are valuable to God and He will be faithful, He said.

Lately, I have heard many people concerned about stock fluctuations and the general market downturn of the past few weeks. Does it scare you or cause you to worry? I have also heard a few people say, usually with a shrug, "Why should I worry? It's only money."

Which is your attitude?

Jesus says simply, "Trust! God will provide." I have seen enough to know it's true. I admit that I myself have not been put to the test, having nothing but God to rely on. I have lived all my life being well provided for and in reasonable comfort. But I have known people who had nothing but hope, and yet found that God provided, people who never had stocks or bonds or even a daily wage. They did not worry or panic, but trusted God.

That's challenging. In a society where we have always relied on ourselves and our jobs and income and investments, we don't think about what it would be like to have nothing and to simply rely on God. In many countries of our world, people face nothingness and starvation every day, but in this part of the world, it is different. When the bottom fell out of the stock market in the twenties, people who lost everything committed suicide because they couldn't face poverty and starvation. They couldn't see beyond their own inability to provide for themselves. Can we?

We don't know what lies ahead: recovery and renewed financial vitality, or recession, or depression, or even complete economic collapse. The question is, do we rely on anything more than our financial portfolios?

I wonder what I would do if I had nothing. I hope that if that day comes, I will stand with certainty that God will be faithful. After all, it's only money.

Proverbs 3:6 – In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (NKJV)

Prayer: Loving God, teach us to trust instead of worrying, to hope instead of despairing, and to grow instead of standing still. We have discovered Your grace, but there is so much we still have to learn. Help us to be good students, listening, discovering, obeying. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

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