Feb. 9, 2005

Kidan

Moderator
Don't Worry; Be Happy

Matthew 6:25-34 (NRSV)
[Jesus said,] "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you -- you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today."


Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
-Matthew 6:21 (NIV)


FROM an early age, I counted my coins and announced to anyone in my family who would listen how much I had saved. Feeling proud, I equated wealth with happiness. I was well on the road to fame and fortune. As I grew older, I continued to think that what I owned would make me happy. But the more I owned, the more I owed. Saving gave way to debt, and my feelings of security turned to doubt.

Many years passed. One Sunday as I left church, someone handed me a card that read, "Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matt. 6:20-21). Reading that truth and taking it to heart changed my priorities and my attitude.

Now when I catch myself starting to worry, I return to my treasure, the love and grace of Jesus Christ. I can return my treasure to heaven by sharing Christ's love on earth. No one can take away the feelings that come from blessings received and love shared. I am not always happy, but I know where to go to find happiness.
Scott Andrews (Texas, U.S.A.)

Prayer​
Dear God, we thank you for this day and all its blessings. Help us to recognize your abundant grace, and show us how to use your gifts in loving others. Amen.
 
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