22  Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24  Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!  Luke 12:22-24 (NIV)

     This teaching begins with the word “Therefore” which means we need to look at the preceding verses.  Jesus had just told the Diciples the parable of the rich man who planned to store up all his riches for himself, only to have his life come to an end that very night.  So when Jesus tells his Disciples not to worry, he is telling them not to be overly concerned about saving and hoarding to meet our own needs. 

     God urges us to observe the birds of the air and consider how he cares for them.  They only need to gather food every day.  They neither plant nor store up food for tomorrow.  God cares for the birds.  But he values us much more than the birds.  We can trust him to care for us.

     I am reminded of how God provided manna for the Israelites in the desert.  If the people tried to store up extra for the days ahead the manna spoiled.  They were to only gather as much as they needed.  God was teaching the Israelites to trust him to provide for them.

     Likewise, we are to trust God with our tomorrows.  God expects us to work and make a living, but we should not concern ourselves with storing up wealth so we can take life easy and indulge in our own pleasures.  Neither should we worry that we might not be able to earn enough or save enough.  If we are diligent and not lazy, we need not worry about our tomorrows.

     Lord, help us to so abide in your love and care that we will naturally trust you to provide for all of our needs.

Copyright © 2008 by Janice Green

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.