This study was first taught on January 5, 2011

Topic: Possessions, Money, and Life (5): Why Worry?

No audio available for this study.

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Background
We saw last week that it is impossible to love and serve two masters, because you cannot be loyal to either. It was made clear that you cannot hold on to two diametrically opposed views, or opinions; neither can you be in the service of both God and mammon; nor can you hold on in trust to both God and mammon. We were thus challenged to make a choice as to who of the two we would be holding on to and serving for the rest of our lives henceforth.

We saw that Mammon in scripture is man’s trust in/ dependence on wealth or money personified, and noted that we have to choose either to trust God absolutely or trust mammon absolutely: we cannot hold on to both at the same time. Indeed we saw that God wants us to take a stand either for Him or for Mammon! The point is to let God know where our loyalty, devotion, dedication, and service truly lie!

We saw that if we choose to love and serve God, it cannot be a casual decision, for pride, love for other gods, and serving God for the sole purpose of rewards, must be gotten rid of from our lives; while, humility, contentment, and faithfulness must be vibrantly present in our lives. Also we must realize that God is a Jealous God, and cannot be shared with any other!

We concluded that even though our focus when serving God is not to be on rewards, there are nonetheless rewards; paramount of which is divine protection. We also cautioned never to forsake God, because it is only as you hold on to Him that He remains with, protects, prospers, and blesses you!

Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 6:25-33
Tonight, the Lord is telling us not to be worried about anything at all, least of which is what to eat, drink, and wear. The Lord’s contention is that if God is so caring for plants and birds, which are not very high up in His creation, how will He not meet the needs of the epitome of His creation: you and I? We pray that the Holy Spirit will grant us the grace to appreciate what the Lord is saying to us tonight, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Worry, anxiety, and fretting are words which essentially mean showing great concern for what we have no control over or what we shouldn’t be concerned for. Many of the things that we show great concern for are things which are in God’s purview or sphere of responsibility, but which we believe should be in our custody! We act as though we would be able to do anything positive about issues if we were indeed given the responsibility to do something about them.
Psalm 37:1-9; Proverbs 24:19; Psalm 73:1-23; Acts 1:6-7; 1 Timothy 6:6-10; Proverbs 23:4-5; Matthew 6:19-21, 25; John 16:33; 14:1; Philippians 4:12; Matthew 11:28; Colossians 3:2; Philippians 4:6-9; Matthew 6:33; 1 Peter 5:7.

Conclusion
There are more than enough reasons to worry, fret or be concerned for anything. However, the Lord Jesus is telling us that that is not reason enough to be worried or concerned for the things that are under God’s control and authority. Worrying, simply means that we don’t trust that God has a matter under control; and so, we want to take charge of the matter ourselves. Unfortunately, we are not built to handle such matters, even matters as simple as what to eat, drink, and put on, and even our height!

Worrying is responsible for envy, anger, rage, God-blaming, feeling abandoned by God, impatience, and taking matters into our hands. Worrying does not solve any problem, instead, it adds to problems. Worrying is a sign that we do not have faith in God, and is therefore not something that believers in Jesus Christ should engage in.

Rather than fret ourselves over matters that we have no control, the Lord counsels us to commit matters into God’s hands; pray over any and everything, no matter how great or small; trust absolutely in and hold on to God, no matter for how long; patiently wait for God, for He does things in His time, and it is always beautiful; find contentment in what God has made available to you, and do not allow covetousness to be your ruin; in everything, to put God first and seek His approval; and, cast all your cares and burdens on God, rather than carry them on our heads.

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