Why Do We Waste So Much Time Worrying?

Text: 1 Kings 17:8-16

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

We tend to worry about things like food, clothing, shelter, and money.  The reason why?  Well, we humans have a deep-rooted survival instinct that drives us to fear not having enough to make it.  Furthermore, we all know that when resources are limited, people get competitive – things can become intense when everyone begins to grab resources for themselves.  Ultimately, we worry because we want to be prepared for unexpected events.  We want to be ready for any threats that come our way.  And so, we worry about things like food, clothing, shelter, and money.  In fact, we can stockpile stuff like money, food, clothes, guns, and ammo, giving way to hoarding.  Yes, hoarders often have a deep-seated fear of losing control, being unprepared, or thinking that they may not have what they need in the future.  The point is: we often live with insecurity in this life because life is, well… hostile.  Disasters happen, resources are limited, and struggles occur.  Don’t believe me? Think back several years during Covid.  Remember how people panicked with COVID-19 and bought up all the toilet paper, hand sanitizers, cleaning supplies, non-perishable food, and .22 ammunition here in Minot? These panic purchases resulted in temporary shortages, creating even more fear and stress.  

Now, is it wrong to do such things?  Well, it depends.  If you and I clamor, demand, and crave these things with fear running through our veins, then yes, we are sinning.  We are functioning no different than pagans.  You see, pagans function in this world as if there is no God. They operate as if there is no hope beyond what they can see, touch, and feel.  And so, they will often put all their time and energy into acquiring as much clothing, shelter, money, and food as possible.  But here is a little secret: they will never feel secure in this world, no matter how much they gather or stockpile.  They will never feel confident or protected in this life.  No amount of money, no amount of guns and ammo, no amount of stockpiled food, and no amount of security cameras will grant a person security and confidence in this life.  It doesn’t work.  Possessions will never bring complete confidence to you, me, or the pagans in this world.  

So, if this is the case, what does bring us confidence and assurance in this world?  In a word, the promises of God. 

Consider our Old Testament Reading from 1 Kings.  Notice that the woman in the reading from 1 Kings exists during a terrible famine in the land.  She had absolutely nothing except a handful of flour and a little oil in the jug.  Long story short, when Elijah the prophet came to her, he asked the woman to bring him something to eat.  Now, remember that all the woman had was a handful of bread and some oil.  And so, she responded to Elijah, saying that she was in the process of gathering some sticks so that she could prepare her last meal with her son so that they could eat and then die.  Elijah, though, responded to her and said, 

“Do not fear; go and do as you have said.  But first, make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward, go ahead and make a meal from what’s left for you and your son, for the jar of flour will not run out, and the bottle of oil will not go become empty.”    

And so, right there, while having nothing, Elijah tells the woman not to fear and then gives her a promise from God.  And with a faith that would scarcely have been found in Israel, she did just as Elijah asked.  She trusted in God’s Word despite having no resources and food amid a severe famine.  She made the food for Elijah and trusted in God’s word of promise.

Dear friends, it is extremely important to stress that what we hear from the Old Testament Reading in 1 Kings and what we hear from our Gospel reading in Matthew is that it is not a sin to eat, drink, and clothe yourself, as the needs of life and body demand.  The Old Testament and Gospel Reading are not advocating that you and I live in a wreckless poverty state.  No, the point of the Old Testament reading and the Gospel reading is that you and I should not put our heart’s comfort and trust in food, clothing, shelter, and money – as if these are the things that will ultimately sustain you and me.  Remember, the woman made the morsel of bread for Elijah precisely because she had a greater promise from God Himself.  Again, the point is that we hold lightly to possessions such as food, clothing, money, and shelter, but we hold firmly to that which does not perish – the promises of God.  

Dear friends, please listen up!  The Apostle Peter clearly tells you and me that all of our material possessions – everything in this universe – will burn on the last day.  I am not exaggerating.  On the day of the Lord, the heavens will pass away with a crackling noise, and the elements will be burned.  Everything will dissolve, and the earth and its works will be burned.    On the great last day, all the mighty structures of mankind, all the cities with their proud sky-scrapers, all the roads and bridges, all the wonderful works of art, all statues, houses, barns, cars, tractors, jewels, grain bins, gardens, apple trees, and oceans – everything will perish by fire in the destruction of the last day.  And so, quite literally, you and I can take nothing with us in this life into the new heaven and earth.  (See 2 Peter 3:10). And so, it does not make sense to put our trust in that which will burn.  Why cling confidently to stuff that we cannot take to our graves and stuff that will fall through our hands - as charred dust - in the end?  

Be careful, though; again, this sermon is not advocating for a monastic life of poverty, and it is not advocating for a flippant life of sitting on your hands doing nothing. That is not the point of our Old and New Testament readings! Please listen carefully. Jesus tells us to consider the birds of the air who sing, fly, collect food, build nests, and eat.  The birds of the air are busy and diligent.  Yet, they have no anxiety about food, drink, clothing, or money.  They neither pace the floors at night in worry nor carelessly do nothing, but instead, they are free and unfettered as they work – they are not plagued by fear because the Lord God takes care of them.  And that brings up another point: how much more do you count to the Lord God than little birds?  

You, Baptized Saints, belong to the Lord God.  He cares for you more than you can ever care for yourself.  The proof of His care is found in the cross of Christ and His Holy Word spoken to you.  And so, today, it is pretty simple – why would you and I waste so much time engaging our attention and energy into worrying so much about food, clothing, shelter, and money, as if our worrying can add years to our lives?   Why not leave these matters to God’s providence and trust in what the Lord God has already promised and given to you and me?  

But we may protest and say, 

“Time are tough.  It has never been this bad before!  Inflation is out of hand, war is around the corner, and evil is out of hand! 

Dear friends, as one of our Elders at St. Paul’s always says, 

“In times like these, we must remember that there have always been times like these.” 

In other words, the Lord God is in control.  You belong to Him. Remember that the Lord has fed you all these years.  He has sheltered you all these days.  You have clothes on your body and safety in Minot right now. Indeed, the Lord has given you food, drink, clothing, shoes, a house, home, land, animals, money, goods, family, co-workers, judges, police, firefighters, good weather, peace, friends, pastors, and neighbors – to name a few.  Furthermore, and most importantly, Christ has redeemed you from sin, death, and the devil.  Christ has gone to prepare a place for you.  He will not forsake you in death but will raise you on the last day.  And in the meantime, He has given you His Holy Word full of promises to grant you assurance this day.  He has invited you to His table to strengthen your faith.  He has done all this and more for you, even without your prayers.  Why?  Because He knows what you need, and you are more precious to him than the birds of the air and the lilies of the field.  And so, Baptized Saints, you do not need to worry because God has given you His kingdom through His Son, Jesus Christ, and that is what really matters.   

Do not fear this day, Baptized Saints. Take comfort in the promises of God that are for you.   

In the name of Jesus. Amen.