Overcoming Worry

Jesus taught in Matthew 6 about laying up treasures for ourselves in heaven, where thieves cannot break in and steal. Jesus also taught us to give to the needy and trust that the Lord will reward our giving. Jesus spoke about anxiety and worry about provision. ““Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing” (Matthew 6:25)? He made reference to the birds who are provided for and the lilies that are always clothed.

What Jesus was saying is that, God created the universe and everything in it. Within the universe are systems that have been created to cater to mankind. Trees and plants provide food, water bodies provide sources for us to be replenished and the animals also provide meat. Greed, selfishness, materialism and capitalism have created systems of poverty. These systems amass wealth and resources that are controlled by a few wealthy people. First world countries benefit from the mass supply resources, while the world’s poor survive on less than a dollar a day. I am not straying from the point of the scripture.

What I am doing is helping us to understand, how the world system has created poverty and inequality. Despite these systems of inequality, our God is a God of justice. His word says, “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread (Psalm 37:25). David went on to say that the righteous are always able to lend generously and their children become a blessing. The blessings of the Lord makes us rich and adds no sorrow with it (Proverbs 10:22). God did not create any of his children to live in abject poverty and to experience sorrow from lack.

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). When God said every need, He meant every single need that we will ever need. All we have to do is ask Him and trust and believe. We serve a good father who longs to meet our needs. Seek first kingdom and all things will be added to you. “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life” (Matthew 6:27)?

A.P.-Y.