Money & Worry

Matthew 6:24-34

I've probably spent most of my life reading Matthew 6:19-24 (Treasures in Heaven) separately from Matthew 6:25-34 (Do Not Worry) because they were subdivided into separate sections. But the last verses of Treasures in Heaven and the first verses of Do Not Worry actually tie so neatly together that they could be one paragraph.

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?"

Therefore bridges the two sections. You cannot serve God and money THEREFORE don't worrying.

We all worry at some level or another and tie worry to the reality of life, but what if worry is also a spiritual thermometer of whom I am serving? Am I serving God or money? Am I serving God or security? Am I serving God or my good reputation? Am I serving God or the American Dream?

I can choose my master. I can choose God or money. I can choose God and learn to lean into his providences and to relax in his capacity to provide for me.

Of the two masters God is the kindest. Money is a taskmaster. God says, "Come aside and rest awhile" (Mark 6:31). Money says, "You never know if you aren't working now what could become of you. Strive while you can." Money says, "Me first and no other." God says, "Me first and everything will be added unto you."

So choose God and learn to trust Him so you don't have to worry anymore.