Matthew 6:25-33
Why Worry?
God’s Gifts and Our Gifts
In our scripture this morning is a verse which always catches my eye. Again and again I find
myself nodding in agreement and wondering “why can’t I remember this?”
“I know this, what’s wrong with me that I can’t put this into practice every day?”
The verse? (it’s chapter 6:27), It’s about worry; it says: “Can any of you live a bit longer by
worrying about it?” TEV or in the NRSV “And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to
your span of life?”
Hear the entire passage READ Matthew 6:25-33
God’s Gifts and Our Gifts
“Don’t worry about what you’ll eat?”
Seems a foolish exhortation with Thanksgiving Day coming up—
“If we don’t worry, will dinner be ready on time?
Will the turkey be finished, the mashed potatoes warm and smooth,
the pie just right? If we don’t worry about it, who will?”
Somehow, I doubt Jesus had a big Thanksgiving meal in mind.
“Worry, in this text, is the opposite of gratitude. Worry takes our minds off the blessings around
us. Worry leads us down rabbit holes so overwhelming that we’re oblivious to what God is
doing. When we’re busy worrying about dinner, we’re not enjoying one another’s company, we
forget that this abundance is not our doing; we rush right past the beauty of an autumn day.
The same is true of other days. Just as gratitude is not reserved for one day (whatever the
calendar may say) the admonition to avoid the worry trap is for every day.” p.204
1.Gratitude for all the gifts God has given us
2.and gratitude that we can pay it forward – give to others
it’s a part of the fabric of our being,
Gratitude is a natural response to all that has been given to us.
And sometimes gratitude is hard—it is difficult to give thanks in all circumstances
But gratitude and worry are traits that become evident in our actions. We know what worry
does, we’ve all paced the floor, spoken sharply, lost perspective, become caught up in ‘what
ifs’. But….What would happen if we acted gratefully in all circumstances?
Reflecting on this possibility, contemporary theologian, Teri Peterson says,
“I suspect we would share more. That old story of stone soup is a great example—
the villagers were so worried, they were blind to abundance in their midst.
When the traveler shifted their gaze, suddenly they were able to give thanks in ways they never
could before. Do not worry, indeed.”
And so Jesus shifts our gaze saying, “But strive first for the kingdom of God & God’s
righteousness, & all these things will be given to you as well.”
v.33
Get your priorities straight and the rest will follow.
Today is special for 3 reasons
It’s Thanksgiving Sunday; it reminds us of all that we are thankful for.
It’s also Christ the King Sunday, the culmination of the Christian year –
The Sunday that declares “Yes, Christ is first in my life;
Yes, I’ve decided to follow Jesus; God in Christ is top priority –
by seeking God’s kingdom first, the rest will follow;
And it’s Stewardship Sunday, so we’re thinking about Time Talent and Treasure;
‘How and When and Where’ shall we give of what we’ve been given?
And then we think about the greatest gift of all – the ‘reason for this whole season’
God’s gift to us in Jesus Christ
God on earth in human form
Jesus Christ the incarnation of God’s love
God’s only Son willing to lay down his life for you and me
so that we might know the gift of grace, repent, be forgiven
and begin to live abundantly now, and in God’s presence, eternally.
God’s gift of love to us, God’s creation.
It’s a grateful, giving time of year, Christmas is just around the corner.
So let’s stop a moment & reflect on the why of our giving. to ask, “why do we give Christmas
gifts?” Yes, I know – it’s tradition, it’s what we do.
But moving beyond the commercialism,
I think the tradition grew up in response to the giving of the wise-men.
In response to God’s gift, they brought Gold, Frankincense, & Myrrh
Gifts for the needs of the Christ-child.
Gifts to help grow the kingdom of God.
These are also Gifts that can help us think about our giving to the church –
Think about that – they gave Gold, for his crown, gold to meet the child’s needs;
Gold, we give our currency, our Treasure so that the church can flourish, not just survive.
Our generosity makes Horseheads First a thriving church where outreach & mission can happen
locally and globally. Just this past Friday I delivered 2 dozen Christmas shoeboxes that will
become part of a truckload being taken to Red Bird Mission in Kentucky Working together,
pooling our resources, we can do ever so much more, our impact becomes greater than if we
only acted as individuals.
Frankincense – a perfume; a pleasant aroma;
Around here often the aroma is of coffee and fellowship
Our happy welcoming atmosphere is a pleasant aroma to others,
& a perfume to God’s nose.
Joyous service, our talents given to God are like Frankincense.
And then there is Myrrh, an ointment used for burial, Myrrh reminds us of our mortality, that
time is limited. With a limit to our time, Myrrh urges us to keep our priorities straight, and use
time well. Our gifts of time given in Christ’s service get things done and help others know God’s
love Myrrh reminds us to do what we can today, & not delay;
Today is a Sunday of Thanksgiving, of giving in response to God’s gifts to us.
A Sunday of Stewardship, of wisely bringing our time, talent, and treasure
to help buildup God’s kingdom,
so that our fellowship remains strong
and so that other’s might know the Love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Our Gifts given in response to God’s Greatest Gift.