1997-03-13 - Neither a Borrower Nor a Lender Be
Of trouble, that is! Don't borrow trouble from tomorrow. As Christ put it:
Mat 6:34 (NIV) Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
We are to live one day at a time, not in regret over the past,which God will forgive when we repent -- and which He will help us overcome -- nor in fear of the future, of which He is in control. And life is more manageable when we live one day at a time! We need to focus on today, asking ourselves: What does God want me to do, today? What do I have to be thankful for, today? If we are consumed with worry, we can't fully appreciate the blessings of today.
Also, living one day at a time drives us to depend more on God. In the wilderness, God provided manna, just one day at a time. If they tried to hoard it, it would spoil and attract maggots.
Exo 16:18-20 (NRSV) But when they measured it with an omer, those who gathered much had nothing over, and those who gathered little had no shortage; they gathered as much as each of them needed.And Moses said to them, "Let no one leave any of it over until morning." 20 But they did not listen to Moses; some left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and became foul. And Moses was angry with them.
Of course, I am not saying we shouldn't save money, etc. The key is balance. But I think there is a good principle here; we should depend on God and not worry. In fact -- and I admit this is a scary thought to me, sometimes! -- worry is actually a sin!
Rom 14:23 (NRSV) But those who have doubts are condemned if they eat, because they do not act from faith; for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
Dear Father, please help us to live more by faith. Help us to release our worries to you. In Jesus' name, amen.