Recognizing Our need to Give - Day 22

September 16, 2012

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, not about your body, what you will put on.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
...Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."  Matthew 6:25-34 (ESV)

When I was a kid, Mad magazine was a very popular satirical humor magazine that featured a character named Alfred E. Neuman, a freckle-faced boy with misaligned eyes, big ears, a gap-toothed smile and the perennial motto "What, Me worry?" I'm not sure exactly why that was funny, but it was.

But worry is not funny.  That's why we are remined repeatedly in this Bible reading that we should not worry - because God knows what we need and He will provide.

We give out of need...A charity has a need, so we give to it.  A friend or neighbor has a need, and so we give to them.  Our church has needs, and we respond to meet those needs.  When we give of our time and talents and money, of course, we're doing so to meet someone's need.  That's obvious.  But, what do we need?

What we often don't realize is that when we give to otheres, we are meeting our own needs, as well as theirs.  Giving helps to round us out spiritually and strengthens our faith - and it makes us less anxious about our own physical or day-to-day needs!

Through our giving, we are helping to build God's kingdom righ here and right now.  That's what is meant by "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Gracious and loving God, we know in our heads that you will provide for all of our needs.  Help us also to know that in our hearts - to really believe it - so that we can be about the work of building your kingdom.  Amen