Casting Out Financial Fear - May 2

Read Matthew 6:25-34

“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? Look at the birds of air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 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. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Reflect

How are you feeling about your finances or about the economy? Why?

Recent headlines surrounding our economy and our markets have not been good. In fact, a headline appearing in the Wall Street Journal on August 5, 2024 read: “Wall Street’s Fear Gauge Soars.” Fear gauge? Did you know that Wall Street has a “fear gauge”? Apparently, it’s technically called the CBOE Volatility Index (or VIX) but it’s nicknamed the Fear Index because it measures the level of fear and stress in the stock market.

Whether you follow the stock market or not, the economy is something that affects all of us. From grocery costs, to insurance costs, to gas prices, little fluctuations can have a big impact. And whether we admit it or not, it can be hard not to worry about what the future holds when it comes to our finances.

As a rule of thumb, whenever believers feel worried or afraid, we should take our concerns to God in prayer (1 Peter 5:7) and we should go back to the Bible. Today’s passage is my favorite passage to contemplate whenever I worry about personal finances. It reminds me that I have no reason to be afraid. Jesus told us that our Father will provide for us just as He provides for the lilies of the field and the birds of the air. After all, aren’t we more valuable to Him than flowers and birds?

You see, the more I realize that Jesus truly loves me and that I am valuable to Him, the less I worry. John Stonestreet of the Breakpoint podcast discussed the many sources of fear in our culture right now including economic uncertainties. And then he pointed to 1 John 4:18 which says: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.”

He went on, “...there really is something about economic realities that reveal where we put our trust and where we put our faith…when Jesus speaks on the Sermon on the Mount about the uncertainties of culture and He basically wants to plant our feet into trusting the Lord, He again goes back to Creation realities, look what He’s done for the lilies, look what He’s done for the birds, if He feeds them, is He going to feed you?...When Scripture says ‘the fear of the Lord casts out all other fear’, that’s got to include economic fear.”

It’s difficult to live generously when we are afraid of our financial reality. Still, this is where the rubber meets the road of our faith. Are we considering the lilies? Have we noticed that His eye is still on the sparrow? Do we understand just how much more He loves us and promises to care for us? If so, our financial fears will be cast out and we’ll hold our finances with an open hand, trusting that God will provide and willing to let God use His provision for His purposes.

Respond

Heavenly Father, I praise You for being my Provider and yet, I confess that at times, I worry about money. Remind me that You provide for all of Creation and yet, as a child of God, I am more valuable to You than the lilies of the field or the birds of the air. Help me to rest in Your promise of provision and give generously out of that faith. Amen.

Reveal

Do you know a fellow believer who is struggling with financial fears? Offer them encouragement from today’s Scripture reading and be willing to pray for them and with them.