Monday, August 18, 2014

Just For Today

Typically, Matthew 6:25-34 is read and expounded on as a unit, seperate unto itself.  In it we are told not to worry and then what not to worry about, followed by what to concern ourselves with.  Specifically, do not worry about what you will eat, what you will wear or where you will live.  Instead, we are to "seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added" (v. 33).  This is followed by an admonition to "let tomorrow worry about itself" (v. 34).

Of course, all of the above is true.  However, reading it as a seperate unit fails to give you the foundation for living in today's world, worrying not about tomorrow's.  The foundation upon which this confidence is to be built is found by following the direction of the "Therefore," with which this section begins, showing it to be a conclusion not the beginning of a new train of thought.  The "therefore" points back to the ground of this faith, which is prayer that includes the very specific request "give us today our daily bread" (v. 11).

The Lord taught his disciples to pray in the moment - daily looking to God for provision rather than asking for a stockpile that, as the verses to follow point out, that can vanish by consumption, theft or rust away (vv. 19-24).  Instead, we are to lean on God today, storing up in heaven the fruit of serving and trusting Him, which will never disappear.

I don't think the Bible teaches us to forget savings accounts, forego retirement investment or pass on insurance.  It does, however, warn us not to put our trust in such things but to rest in God today, tomorrow and forever.  Don't let the uncertainty of the Market unsettle you, don't fret over the interest rate of your CD's, don't worry about the permanency of your job - instead, trust in God, serve Him faithfully by doing your best in all things.  God can and will provide what His children need, when they need it.  Jus' Sayn.




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