Stewardship is . . . Freedom from Worry.

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor 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, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 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” (Matthew 6:28-24).

Jesus’ words are meant for us today. Children are not the only people who have struggles with peer pressure. Adults suffer from peer pressure just as much. The “Joneses” have a new “this,” we need a new “this.” The “Joneses” have a new “that,” we need a new “that.”

We live in a very competitive, consumeristic society. Everyone wants the biggest, smallest, best, fastest, slowest, tallest, shortest, strongest, softest, hardest, and so on. Unfortunately, we worry so much about the things of this world that we forget that this world is not all there is, even though we live as though it is.

Would we just “die,” if we did not get that new car, bigger house, new “this,” or new “that?” What would happen if we spent less time worrying about the things of this world and more time concentrating on the things of the world to come?

About those who worry, Jesus says, “O you of little faith?” He says “the pagans run after all these things,” things of the world. He also tells us that our “heavenly Father knows” what we need. And He reminds us to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Then we will have no need to worry!

43 of 52 © Rev. Ronald A. Bogs