Mar
6
Words to live by
March 6, 2008 |
One of things I am trying to do this Lent is read the Bible, or at least as much of it as I can each day. I do my readings in the order as they would be done at Mass: start off with about 12 or so chapters of the Old Testament, another few chapters from Acts/Epistles/Revelation, and then the Gospel. In addition, I am also reading through the Navarre Bible’s commentary on Luke - which means I am basically reading two Gospels at once.
Currently I am in the middle of Luke’s Gospel, and just starting Matthew. Yesterday, I came accross a passage that is repeated in both Gospels, though at different points in the respective Gospels. Perhaps God is trying to tell me something.
Here is the passage from Matthew”
6:25Therefore I say unto you, be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment? 6:26Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value then they? 6:27And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto the measure of his life? 6:28And why are ye anxious concerning raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 6:29yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 6:30But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 6:31Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 6:32For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 6:33But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 6:34Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
And from Luke:
12:22And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. 12:23For the life is more than the food, and the body than the raiment. 12:24Consider the ravens, that they sow not, neither reap; which have no store-chamber nor barn; and God feedeth them: of how much more value are ye than the birds! 12:25And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit unto the measure of his life? 12:26If then ye are not able to do even that which is least, why are ye anxious concerning the rest? 12:27Consider the lilies, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin; yet I say unto you, Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 12:28But if God doth so clothe the grass in the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven; how much more shall he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 12:29And seek not ye what ye shall eat, and what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 12:30For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: but your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 12:31Yet seek ye his kingdom, and these things shall be added unto you. 12:32Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
As one constantly concerned about money matters, these passages are important. For one, they are warnings against greed. But more importantly, they are reminders that we should not be obsessed with procuring material possessions or monetary wealth. God will provide. Obviously one would be irresponsible if they did not concern themselves at all with at least securing the basic necessities of life, particularly those who are the head of the family. But there’s something to be said about letting go, relaxing, and focusing on the more important things in life.
Except for the fantastically wealthy, we all have concerns about finances - some more serious than others, but we’re all in the position of worrying about providing our material daily bread. And with some economic turbulance on the horizon, our worries may vastly increase over the coming months and years. We shouldn’t neglect our duties to provide for our families, but nothing is gained by stressing over it all day long. After all, stress doesn’t add a cent to your bank account.
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