Do Not Worry
22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life[a]? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:22-34 (NRSV)
The finance committee meeting had not gone well. The church did not have enough money, and we had to vote on which programs to cut. So we had some bitter discussions.
I got home late at night, worn out, and was surprised to see my five-year-old son, David, still up. “Dad, where have you been?” I explained that we all earn money, save a little, spend a lot, and give some to the Lord. And it seemed that people were not giving enough to the Lord, and the church was in some difficulty. David did not seem to understand. But he was, after all, only five, so I went over it again: We earn money, save money, spend money, and give some to the Lord. David still did not understand. Gently, I went over it again; but he still looked puzzled. Finally he said,