Rev. David Holwick
First Baptist Church
West Lafayette, Ohio
July 12, 1987
Faith - Not Fretting
Luke 12:22-32 (King James Version)
We live in time of anxiety. Time magazine recently said:
"Black statistics of murder, suicide, alcoholism, and divorce all betray anxiety. And not just these but also innocent everyday acts - the limp handshake, the second pack of cigarettes or the third martini."
With all our blessings, worry is everywhere. Anxiety has been called "fear in search of a cause." There is plenty to worry about - unemployment, illness, problems in family and, ultimately, death. But worrying doesn't just focus on problems -- it can become your problem. Millions of Americans suffer from anxiety attacks, insomnia, deadly nervous habits. Out-of-control worry can destroy your life.
Is there a cure for worry? Time magazine mentioned drugs and psychiatrists. The Bible offers a different and far more effective solution. Jesus believed anxiety, or worrying, was a very serious matter. It shows that your whole outlook on life is wrong. So in verse 22 he gives a command, "Take no thought for your life." This doesn't mean what it sounds like. To us this sounds like "have no concern at all about your needs." This is an example of how English has changed since the King James Bible was translated. The verse really means "Have no anxious thoughts. Don't worry."
What are we not to worry about? Jesus mentions food and clothing. America's version of these worries is: which dessert? The red or blue dress? We have anxiety of too many choices. What Jesus is really talking about is wondering where your next meal is coming from, or whether you'll have to go naked. (In Egypt today, thousands live off garbage dumps.)
Jesus is dealing with life-or-death necessities here and he says, don't worry about them. It should be enough that Jesus gives us a command, but here he also gives some reasons:
1) WORRYING SHOWS A LACK OF PERSPECTIVE. Small things are blown up into big things. The big thing, in this case, is life. Not just breathing, but your whole potential before God. As Jesus says in verse 23 - your life is more than meat (food). Why jeopardize the main thing for the sake of the lesser? Perspective is one of the hardest things to have. We continually deceive ourselves. Example - the moon. On Friday, it was full. What would it take at arm's length to cover it up? [Have congregation suggest objects] You're all wrong - an aspirin will cover up a full moon. Harder: how about the sun? [more suggestions] An aspirin again - that's why the moon can eclipse the sun. (But don't try it!) The Sun and moon are like most problems we face - they can be covered by one aspirin.
It is easy to let small things in life bend us out of shape. We may have health, a great family, and a solid job, but we are consumed by the wreck of a car. Or, if it's not wrecked yet, how you're going to pay for it. We lack the proper perspective.
2) WORRYING DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. It tears you down and accomplishes nothing else. Jesus provides a crucial test in verses 25-26: "Who by worrying can add a foot [or minute] to his life?" I've actually heard of someone who tried to do this. It was a young man who wanted to be a Marine but he was too short and light. So he spent several days stuffing himself with bananas, then had a friend stretch him on a rack. He made it into the Marines -- then promptly shrank back down. Worry isn't productive. It can't add anything significant to our life.
3) WORRYING IGNORES GOD'S LOVE AND CONCERN FOR US. Jesus points to some simple objects for an example. Birds don't sow, reap, or put in silos, yet God takes care of them. A possible application of this principle is to quit your job. Some believers would love this to be true but it's not Jesus' point. He assumes we do sow, reap, and store away. God gives us this tremendous ability, and we should use it to its fullest advantage. (Proverbs tells us to be industrious like an ant, the opposite of being lazy). Birds don't have this advantage, but do we see them dropping from the sky because of heart attacks? NO. With all their limitations, they still trust their Creator to provide for them. Flowers make the same point. My yard grows millions of these - dandelions. [hold one up] They are very productive. Have you ever looked at one? They're gorgeous! No expense or sowing to get a whole yard of these. It's natural - from God. What happens to dandelions? I mow them until they poop out. Their lives are pretty short. In Jesus' day, weeds were dried out and thrown into cooking ovens to heat their meals. Birds and dandelions are a dime-a-dozen but God shows his intimate care for them.
How much are YOU worth in God's eyes? Maybe you worry because you don't feel you measure up. Look at verse 24 -- in God's eyes, we are far more valuable than birds. Verse 28 adds, if God clothes the grass with beautiful flowers, won't he surely clothe us? In both cases, our great value in God's eyes is stressed. Worrying has two implications: 1) you put yourself down (I'm nobody, I'm worthless, inadequate). 2) Or - you put God down (He hasn't come through for me). The second is more popular. Many question God's power or love for us because we have somehow been disappointed in the past. Christians shouldn't fall into this trap. Accept your self-worth and God's love for you. Lack of worry is not automatic for Christians -- it must be learned and sought.
Jesus gives method for overcoming worry in verse 31: seek the Kingdom of God. We must put the first priority first. Do you do this? Is God most important to you, or just a Sunday commitment? We should continually seek God and try to understand his nature. He loves us and wants to reach us. He knows we have daily needs (v.30b). He not only knows, he'll give them to us - but most of all he wants to give us his Kingdom.
Worrying actually calls God a liar. It shows a lack of trust and is therefore a sin. The solution is to trust God who all your heart. Philippians 4:6 tells us to pray to God and pour out all our concerns to him:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (NIV)
1 Peter 5:7 reinforces this:
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (NIV)
Years ago, a man named George Mueller set up an orphanage in Bristol, England. He did no begging for money, he just prayed. God provided houses, utensils, furniture. George opened the doors of the orphanage but he lacked one thing - children. Did he pray for children? No. He assumed they'd come. Make no assumptions! Pray about every concern you have.
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Typed on September 24, 2006, by Sharon Lesko of Ledgewood Baptist Church, New Jersey
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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