And He said to His disciples, “For this reason I tell you, do not worry about your life, as to what you are to eat; nor for your body, as to what you are to wear. For life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.

Luke 12:22-23

What do we think it means to worry? Sometimes I think we are only considering worry in the context of fretting and fussing over things, or anxiety that interferes with our good attitude. God wants us to be happy and worry takes away happiness, right?

Maybe, but in the context of Jesus teaching, we have another layer to consider. A cold, rational worry that is produced out of calculated self-interest and the base instinct to protect oneself left unchecked by Spirituality.

Now someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” But He said to him, “You there—who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over the two of you?” But He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one is affluent does his life consist of his possessions.” And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. And he began thinking to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and I will store all my grain and my goods there. And I will say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years to come; relax, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is demanded of you; and as for all that you have prepared, who will own it now?’ Such is the one who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich in relation to God.”

Luke 12:13-21

This man who approached Jesus was demanding something, maybe even something he had by rights, but Jesus had a higher perspective. Rather than seek to protect his self interest and gain wealth, Jesus called out this man for his greed.

“Greed, Jesus? Surely the man was owed his inheritance. What about his rights?”

Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor does a moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 12:33-34

Worry over this life can endanger our eternal life. Doing good, doing God’s will is the highest priority. Anything short of that is worrying over material things and greed.

Ethan Kirl