“Don’t worry about a thing, ‘cos every little thing is gonna be all right!” That’s according to Bob Marley… or maybe according to the three little birds he heard singing! Actually, Christians are also told not to worry, but not because Bob Marley (or the birds) said so. It’s because Jesus said so!
Here are some of the points Jesus made:
1. Our lives are in God’s hands – we can’t even be certain what will happen tomorrow. (verse 20)
2. Worrying about things is of no use (verse 25).
3. God cares for those who trust in Him, as a Father caring for His children. (verse 30)
4. His children have been promised the kingdom of God. (verse 32)
Because of these things, Christians don’t need to obsess over money or clothes or food or anything else like that. If we put God first in our lives, He will make sure we have the things we need.
Some pastors of mega-churches (who fly around in private jets) tell people that if they follow Jesus, they are guaranteed to always be rich and healthy. That is not what Jesus was teaching! Jesus wanted his followers to set their hearts on God, and things that will last forever – instead of things that will not last and that cannot bring us joy (verse 33). If we give to the poor, for example, because we want to show God’s love to them, we are investing in the things that really matter to God (verses 33-34).
“Seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”
Luke 12:31