“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat [or drink], or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? (Matthew 6: 25 NABRE)
Even for many of us today, part of our focus on money stems from worry that we will not have enough food and clothing. Said another way, for some of us, our worship of this false god of money sometimes starts with this primal fear.
But Jesus tells us not to worry about these things. His direct instruction seems to prevent misinterpretation. He wants us to trust. He tells us to trust in God's ability and desire to provide for our needs. That is his simple and powerful message.
Why? He tells us that too! When we trust in God's ability and desire to provide for our needs, we become free to "seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness." By seeking first after what God wants us to do, Jesus absolutely promises our needs will not go unmet.
This is not an encouragement to be careless with what the Lord provides us with. Just the opposite, we are called to be good stewards, or caretakers, of these gifts by expressing charity and justice.
Today, I will resist financial worries by taking one action to share with someone in need.
Saint Barnabus, friend who introduced Paul to Peter and who was part of the poor but trusting early Church, pray for us.
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