Week 09

by Kathleen Petersen

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and money.”

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky: They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than they are? And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life? Why do you worry about clothing? Think about how the flowers of the field grow; they do not work or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these! And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, won’t he clothe you even more, you people of little faith? So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own. Luke 12:24-34 NET

According to this Forbes article, “Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in the U.S. and affect over 40 million adults, or 19.1% of the population.” The Mayo Clinic identifies some of the causes. The remaining 80% of illnesses are also affected by anxiety, but not so severely.

Although these reasonably authoritative articles from esteemed flagships of financial success and physical health are interesting, they probably don’t add much in helping us recognize main sources of anxiety. In the two millennia since Jesus spoke the words in Luke 12:22-34, nothing has truly changed on the list of most obvious and serious human concerns. Jesus’ summary statement gives sound guidance:

…the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own. Luke 12:30-31, 34 NET

Although we have daily troubles, it’s worth repeating Jesus’ counsel for the most secure investment we can make for a gold-plated future:

…above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 

Two prior verses in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount recommend recurring deposits into that secure investment:

…accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and devouring insects do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:20-21 NET

It’s tempting to squander energy, time and resources agonizing about many issues plaguing our current worldly system, and whether they can be fully anticipated, planned for, or solved. Of course we face serious personal, social, economic and political concerns that merit our heartfelt prayers and pertinent action, directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit. But, often to our frustration, outcomes are far beyond our control — even those ends that seem vital to building God’s kingdom.  

Let’s cherish our precious, daily opportunities to invest in God’s kingdom and leave the ROI (return on investment) to him.

Here are questions you might consider if you find yourself headed into an anxiety spiral:

• Has God’s kingdom become your heart’s treasure? 
• Do you see yourself and others seeking solutions in a perpetual tangle of problems? 
• Are you spending an undue amount of time chasing worldly, unsatisfactory solutions for those problems? 
• Will you commit to move consistently and intentionally away from anxiety pathways that center around things you and your loved ones lack?
• And will you renew your allegiance to and dependance on the provision our gracious, powerful King longs to provide? 

If you need a nudge, this humorous approach by the comedian Bob Newhart has helped me to see my problems differently.

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by Carolyn Schnitt

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

The above verses encourage me to look to the Lord in order to understand what is meant when I read different parts of scripture.  

In Matthew 6:26-31, Jesus alludes to birds and wildflowers as examples of how God cares for creatures and beautiful plants to encourage us humans not to worry but to trust in His love and provision for us. 

 Taken from the context of Jesus’ own life experience, it might give the idea that because God takes care of the birds and flowers, Jesus is against hard work, but that is not true. Jesus knew what it meant to work for a living. Mark 6:3 mentions Jesus as the carpenter, and Matthew 13:55 mentions him as the carpenter’s son.   

In Paul’s letters to the different churches, he reminds people of how they should honor God by doing honest work; he warns against being idle and gives himself as an example of working even when he and other apostles had a right to be paid.

• In I Thessalonians 4:9-12, Paul commends the brothers and sisters living there on their love for each other, and he encourages them in their daily life:

Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. 

• In II Thessalonians 3:6-10, it appears that some people ”in solo”, were not working and were causing problems, so Paul called them out:

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” 

• In Colossians 3:23-24, Paul tells them what kind of attitude to have as we work:

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 

• In Philippians 4:4-9, Paul encourages his readers in our thoughts and actions: 

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

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by Sherry Sommer

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve both God and money. “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 than food, and the body more 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? Matthew 6:24-26

I love how Aaron took Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and described how differently those needs are met by the world’s system of economics versus God’s kingdom. In the world’s system, individuals are responsible for providing for themselves. In God’s kingdom, we can trust that God will provide.  We don’t need
to fear, even though the world is complicated and there are so many things that we can’t control. We can know God will take care of us. God’s  provision is a reminder of his presence.  I have lived according to the world system of economics as well as God’s system. God’s system, hands down, has been the most stable and fulfilling way to live.

I grew up in an industrious family, and I went to schools where the world’s view of economics was dominant. I remember finding it strange that the wealthiest people seemed haunted by concerns about maintaining their family’s place in the social and economic hierarchy.  My childhood was spent wondering how anyone could spend time slaving and worrying when…well, just look around!  The world was so magical.  I believed that God would provide and that the Holy Spirit would guide me. 

When I graduated from college, Colorado was in a recession, and I started to panic and to question my childhood beliefs. Those voices alerting me to adopt the world’s economic system were loud and overwhelming. Although I was a Christian, I spent too much of my young adult  years wavering between trusting God and relying on my own effort. This was definitely not a good way to live. On the positive side, making a lot of mistakes gave me plenty of opportunities to learn.

Jesus told us not to be afraid, because we can trust him

Life is, by nature, something we can’t control. This is scary for everyone  — those who live in the world economic system and those who live by the kingdom values. My experience has been  that living by the world’s system is painful, unpredictable, and exhausting. When I give my concerns to God, asking him for help, I can be calm and peaceful. The world is still unpredictable, but Jesus has given me resilience and confidence because I know he will never leave me, and that he can be trusted. 

Listen to the Holy Spirit as a way of life

The Holy Spirit is an essential guide to living in God’s economy. This doesn’t mean constantly asking if every last little decision can be confirmed by the Spirit.  God wants us to make decisions based on our own thoughts and sense. This means we need to tune out the voices that tell us we are not enough for the task or that God has abandoned us. It means meditating on his word and praying as a way of life. 

I have found that I make the best decisions when I am calm and sensitive to the Spirit, and when I’m reflective and peaceful, and not in problem solving mode.  Here’s one example:  In 2011 we lived in Boulder, and Louisville seemed like a much better place to raise children. This move seemed impossible financially but I spent time resting in God, meditating on his word and praying. In the meantime, I also worked hard to make our house in Boulder a good home for my children.  After many months, I felt prompted to try again to find a house in Louisville.  As it turned out, the timing was excellent.  The market suddenly shifted and prices went up several thousand dollars.  I am so thankful for God’s provision: Moving greatly improved our lives  because we  found a more suitable home because our faith grew.

Trusting God’s economy can encourage others

Trusting God can help others who witness how God’s economy works. Remembering back to my studies in Paris, I met a wonderful Christian training to be a missionary.  She loved music, and prayed that God would provide an apartment where she could enjoy it. I admit  to doubting her prayers would be answered. Well, within a short time she had located two wonderful possibilities — one that had a beautiful piano, and one with a stereo and collection of classical music records. It’s so sweet to remember her and God’s provision in her life as she was seeking His kingdom. 

 Praying for what we need gives us opportunities to be surprised and to thank God

I always tell my children, when we ask God to provide, we have someone to thank, and that  is wonderful in itself.  When my son was four, we had very little money and needed some basic necessities. I made a list of what we needed and asked Samuel if he’d pray with me that God would provide. Within a short time, we were surprised and delighted by the way God answered all of our prayers.  If we had been able to go to the store and buy what we needed, we wouldn’t have stories to remember together. If we had enough money, we wouldn’t have had the joy of thanking God for his provision.

Thank you God, for providing what we need when we trust you. 

“Better”     https://youtu.be/cgpvCVkrV6M?feature=shared

Note. To access scripture links that don’t appear in the email version, read the web version in your browser.