No Worries

Introduction

How would you define worry? While there is a literal definition, I suppose for most of us worry is something that we are more likely to know by experience than a definition. We know when we are worried and when we are not. And there is plenty in life that causes us to worry. The economy and all the things that are associated with it comes to mind—finances, job security, paying bills. When our health or the health of our loved ones is affected, we worry.

By definition worry has to do with trying to occupy two worlds at the same time—the present and the future. Worry is trying to live in the future when the future isn’t here and isn’t promised. Worrying is thinking about what might happen and forcing the potential of the future to become the present reality. It is a losing battle. To worry means to be preoccupied and distracted. It means not appreciating the present and living in the moment but throwing away the present in an anticipation of the future. The person who worries truly misses out on life.

Let us not be confused about this idea of worry. There are times that we are rightly concerned about the future and we plan for such. Worry, however, robs us of living and the result is that we find ourselves thinking and focusing on that which might happen instead of focusing on what is happening. Worry is about control and power. It is about trying to keep bad things from happening and it about trying to be in control of events. But we are not alone in our worry. Jesus spoke about such and then had some interesting words for us to incorporate in our lives. It is a different perspective for those who follow him. To say that his words are challenging is an understatement. The question is are we willing to listen.

The Text

Our text is tucked away in a lengthy section dealing with the proper focus about material things. In 12:13-21, Jesus is asked to arbitrate a disagreement between brothers about an inheritance. Jesus refuses to directly resolve the issue except to tell the parable about the rich man who amassed more only to die after building bigger and better. Jesus tries to get the brother who wants the arbitration to learn an important lesson—quit focusing on material things. Instead focus on being rich toward God.

Jesus continues this thought in our text by focusing on worry. For those who are following Jesus, the day to day worries about life were real. Where was food going to come from? And clothes? These were real and present concerns for day to day living. In the previous text he was speaking to the wealthy. Here he is speaking to those who work to get food and clothes. But both are worried about the same thing—how to get. The rich wanted more; the worker wanted daily sustenance. Both wanted and both had needs. And in both cases, Jesus instructs that one’s objective should change. Both the rich and the worker are thinking wrongly.

The rich should be rich toward God not accumulating. And the worker—sell possessions and give the proceeds to the poor. Both instructions are counter to the way people live life. No one wants to see wealth go away. So we work at accumulating more. And if you have only the essentials so that there is concern about where tomorrow’s basic needs are going to come from then the last thing you are thinking about is downsizing. Has Jesus lost his mind? What is he trying to get us to see?

Application

Look at verse 32: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” For those who belong to Jesus, the kingdom far outweighs the day to day worries and the accumulation of more stuff. Don’t be afraid. Do you see the connection between worry and fear? Jesus linked them. Fear produces worry. Don’t be afraid. We have been given the kingdom. This doesn’t mean everything will be okay in this life. It means that the kingdom trumps all the fear.

Jesus is saying, “To those who are living for the future and are distracted in the present, sell what you have and turn your focus to those who are without. When you do this, then you will see the kingdom as it needs to be seen.” You see, to worry is to focus on the present as if it trumps everything. Jesus and his disciples have a different view. When we give, then we live with the kingdom in mind. Worry no longer occupies our mind. We no longer get distracted in the present. Instead we find ways to reveal where our treasure is. Our treasure isn’t in stuff but in the kingdom.

To further emphasize his point, Luke adds verses 35-48. In this section, Jesus warns his disciples to be faithfully waiting and watching for his return. What Jesus says in verse 42 should inspire us: “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food and allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.” In other words, Jesus says when he returns what he wants to find are his disciples serving others. He wants to find his disciples focused on making sure others are provided for rather than focusing on being taken care of.

Our vision statement contains the following reminder: “This vision will challenge us to leave our comfortable routines and to move toward touching the lives of others in ways that Jesus did.” Turning our attention away from this world and to those who are without is never easy. It means that we have to change the way we think about our place in the kingdom.

In Luke 18:18 we have the story of the rich young ruler. This man wanted desperately to be part of God’s kingdom. Accustomed to paying for what he wanted, he came to Jesus with a similar request: What can I do to inherit eternal life? Sell what you have and give the proceeds to the poor. He couldn’t. We have explained this away by saying that our focus must be on the things of the kingdom rather than wealth and thus we can fulfill what Jesus requires. Let me remind you that Jesus required the same of the wealthy and the working. To focus on the kingdom is to have no concern about this life’s wealth. What better way to demonstrate that than to sell and give? We find great joy in giving to family and friends. I would suggest to you that we will find even greater joy in giving to those who cannot return our gifts.

A second giving to the poor will take place soon after the first of the year. Let us be known as people whose treasure is in the kingdom. Let us be known as people who lead a thoughtful life focused on the kingdom. Let us be known as people who are not worried about the future but who live in the joy of the kingdom.

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