Friday, June 26, 2009

Having a Kingdom Attitude 18a

Our next passage is Matthew 6:25-34, and our subject is worry. The cause of most of our stress in life is what we choose to worry about in life. When you look at all of God's creatures, who are the only ones that worship other gods, especially the gods of money and wealth? The lure of wealth and money has created a characteristic only seen in humans - worry and anxiety; and it is from worry and anxiety we have all sort of physical, mental, and emotional sickness. Jesus mentions the word "worry" six times in Matt. 6:25-34. The word worry or anxious speaks to the heart of self concern. The word in the Greek has implications of being pulled or drawn in different directions (very stressful). John MacAuther states, "Worry is a sin of distrusting the promise and providence of God and yet it is a sin that Christians commit perhaps more frequently than any other."

In this passage, Jesus teaches us that Christians will not be overwhelmed by worry when they always seek to live according to God's kingdom rules. Let us look at this passage and note what worry does to our lives; or rather what worry takes away. First, worry steals our perspective of what God's best is for our lives (6:25,27). To God, our lives are more important that food and fashion; yet we fall into the sin of worry when we try to take control of our own lives. Second, worry steals our worth (6:26,28-30). The Bible states that we are more valuable to God than birds or flowers; in fact the Father values His children above any created thing. Worry distorts the way you understand your worth to God. Third, worry steals our faith (6:30b). Worry says of God, "I don't think I can trust you with this matter in my life." Worry also chokes out spiritual growth (Matt. 13:22) and is an enemy to humility. Peter writes, "Therefore humble yourself under the mighty hand of God...casting all your anxiety on Him..." (1 Peter 5:6-7) We can learn to depend on Christ for all our needs, or we can choose to live a stressed-fill life. Next time we will look at two other areas of our life that worry tends to prey on. Until then, keep walking close with Christ.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Having a Kingdom Attitude 17

Our next step in this journey through the Beatitudes is Matthew 6:19-24. Jesus addresses the subject of money. I guess no other topic is the source of more stress than money. No one is surprise to hear that the number one reason for divorces and church splits is money. There are many "Christians" today who are moments away from walking away from family, friends, job, church, and maybe even God because of the stressors that arise from the misuse or lack of money. In this passage, Jesus will teach His disciples the proper way to view and use wealth and materialism without getting any ulcers. The key principle taught can only be lived out in a live of a mature Christian, and that lesson is: "One who values relationship with God over all material possession is genuinely committed to the Kingdom of God."

Money or material goods were given to us by God, not to be the cause of stress but rather to be used to bless our neighbors and our God. Yet in this passage Jesus points out the pitfalls that come from the pursuit of money and materialism in these following verses. First, materialism will enslave our heart (6:19-21). All earthy possessions are temporal while all heavenly investments are secure. Yet the issue at the heart of the matter is in what place is our heart's desire. The second pitfall to wealth is the fact that materialism will enslave our mind (6:22-23). If we have a "self-focused eye" with money, that will only bring us darkness; while a "God focused eye brings light." The third pitfall to wealth is that materialism will enslave our will (6:24). If our will is bent on accumulating wealth, we will be miserable. Yet if our will is given over to pleasing God, then we will experience great satisfaction and a less stressed life. Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.