As we come to the end of this work week, the economy is on our mind. Jesus said, “Put God’s work first and do what he wants. .. Don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today”
August 15, 2008 (Friday)
As we come to the end of this work week, the economy is on our mind. This week gasoline prices fell, and the stock market seemed confused. As stocks seek their level, oil prices slosh like oil in a barrel, and some banks teeter on the edge of collapse, many people wonder what’s next.
At a time of uncertainty, we would do well to consider what Jesus said about material possessions. He said, “Don’t store up treasures on earth! Moths and rust can destroy them, and thieves can break in and steal them. Instead, store up your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy them, and thieves cannot break in and steal them. Your heart will always be where your treasure is” (Matt 6:19-21 CEV).
He went on, “I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth more than birds? Can worry make you live longer? Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don’t work hard to make their clothes. But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn’t as well clothed as one of them. God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. He will surely do even more for you! Why do you have such little faith? Don’t worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well. Don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today” (Matt 6:25-34 CEV).