Lord You take care of the Birds and the fields, but I need a few thousand dollars!

Chets Creek Church 

40 Days with Jesus – October 4^th – Luke 12:22-34

My wife, Son and I moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 2009, from Dallas, Texas.  When we moved to Jacksonville, we had a son attending Baylor (with the tuition challenge of a private university) and a home that did not sell, because the economy, especially housing, had just tanked.  We had some medical items to take care of, and I left a 12X14 storage space of furniture and household items in Texas as well, because we could not buy a home here and had to go with something smaller in the meantime.  Most of you can probably relate to this scenario in one way or another.   Our financial situation did not look real promising.

In Luke 12:22-34 Jesus tells us how he takes care of the smallest of his creations, so will he not take care of us?

Luke 12:22-24 (NLT) ²² Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. ²³ For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. ²⁴ Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!

Birds don’t know how to worry, and he takes care of them.  So why do we worry?  Because we are human and we often walk by sight and not by faith.  The birds have no choice but to live by faith.  But we are even more valuable than they are (v. 24).    Jesus talks a lot about money.  The teaching right before this was on money as well (The Rich Young Ruler).  Jesus knows we worry.  But He also knows our need, and asks us to trust Him with those needs.

So what does worry do?  Nothing.

Luke 12:28 (NLT) ²⁸ And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

And what does faith do?  Everything!

Luke 12:31 (NLT) ³¹ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

Have I spent time worrying about finances?  You bet!  Have I seen God provide over and over?  In amazing ways!  I could tell you several stories of how God has provided.
What are you worried about financially today?  How can you take a normal feeling of concern and turn it into a walk of faith?  I believe the best way to answer that is in Proverbs 3:5-6

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) ⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
⁶ Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Jesus Said He would provide, our part is to trust Him, and take him at his word.  Easier said than done, but that’s what faith will do.

Bryan Faus