FAITH and TRUST CHALLENGED

Do Not Worry

He said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. LUKE 12:22 - 31

A wonderful passage and for me who wakes each morning with the knowledge that I will ! have three meals that day and more food in between. Yes, I can affirm these words. But suppose I was among the 75+ % of the world population without such an expectation? How would these words comfort me, rather would be an urgent test of faith. ... a desperate cry for this to happen.

Maybe like so much of the Gospel this is a word of judgement also. That even though there is sufficient food for all in the world, yes, even 6000000000 of us the great majority of the world goes hungry and remain permanently hungry.
Food is one matter of concern, money is another. When it is in short supply in a money economy like Australia how does one live by faith ... trusting in God and being satisfied, calm, free from fear.
What place depression in this Faith and Trust way of living? The perception of necessity must needs be reviewed as a matter of urgency. How shall we live in a world of false demands and necessity?

The General Confession of the Prayer Book notes ... and there is no health in us. This is an acknowledgment that as individuals and as community groups we have no answer to this wicked reality. And too often we have the temerity to blame the hungry for their predicament.
That statement by the Sudanese gentleman: I thank God, that my family is alive, that I have one meal a day and that my children can go to school ... is a rebuke as well as a powerful confession.