"Do Not be Anxious"

There has never been a point since I have been out on my own that I didn't have to live by a strict budget. I don't know whether this surprises you or not, but the various careers and callings I have pursued (youth ministry, nanny, bank teller, graduate school and teacher) do not lead to piles of excess cash. I've always been okay with my money situation, and while I have never gone hungry...

I HAVE cried over my inability to get a pedicure. I HAVE had one dollar in my bank account that had to last a week.

Sunday night, I was able to hear one of a series of money messages from Midtown Fellowship. They provided each of us with the list of these 10 Money Principles.  Being at a point in my life where many financial changes and commitments are taking place, I decided theses were definitely worth studying. I'd like to share a few of my thoughts on each one and hear some of yours.

PRINCIPLE 1: Jesus gives status, comfort, and security–money does not. 

The link above gives a few scripture references for this statement, but the verse that sticks out to me most holds the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:25: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?"

Jesus commands: "Do not be anxious." 

Being anxious shows my need for CONTROL in my own life.  My mind says, "If I have money in my savings, we are SAFE and SECURE. I need to be saving for retirement and investing, so we will be COMFORTABLE when we are older. Dave Ramsey talks about investing and how IMPORTANT that is, so I better get ON THAT." While all of these things are great, and I know I should do them, I have to realize that I am ultimately not in control of any of them. I also cannot let them become idols. If my desire to SAVE keeps me from helping a friend in need, I have done exactly what Jesus warns of in  Luke 12:13 - 21. I have stored things for myself, but have not been rich toward God.  

My savings can be swiped in a second. I may not live to retire. I may invest in something that never makes a single profit (no matter what Dave R. says). If I am putting my trust in anything I CAN DO to be SECURE, SAFE, COMFORTABLE and in CONTROL...I am missing the blessing of trusting JESUS to meet my needs and be in control of my finances.

I found a sweet reminder in Philippians 4:19: "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." It may not be in pedicures or excess money in my account, but it will be in ways where HE gets the GLORY--not ME. 

A little personal story. 

Matt and I are on the SAVING rampage this month as we prepare for the closing on our first home. We hit a wall this weekend and knew we needed to freeze spending as much as possible for the rest of the month. We had an invitation to eat with friends this weekend, but knew we did not need to spend the money. Our plan had been to go out to eat and just enjoy the FREE chips and salsa at the Mexican restaurant. We discussed splitting an entree if we were hungry enough. All went as planned and we were enjoying the abundance of chips and salsa, and our friend told us an "anonymous donor" was covering dinner. WHAT!? That doesn't just happen for a group of 10 or so. Now I know, you're thinking... CHIPS and SALSA, MEXICAN, those aren't needs. I agree. But this just reminded me that God has always got it. A great night of fellowship and glory to HIM came out of that night.

Any anxiousness I feel over money shows that I don't take Jesus' command of "Do not be anxious" seriously. It's like I'm saying, "That's not for us. I'm allowed to worry. I'm just making sure we'll be OK." The truth is, WE WILL NOT BE OK, unless Jesus is in charge and we are always being RICH toward him (see Luke 12).  I think this means tithing, giving offerings, and also using our resources to for His purposes. 

I have posted the question I am reflecting on below, and would love to hear your comments. 

How can we be both responsible and rich toward God in our spending?