Jesus' words to his disciples could not have been plainer: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear." (Luke 12:22) Yet, as I read these words again last week, in the set readings for Scripture Union, they hit me with fresh force.

On Numerous occasions throughout my life and ministry I have faced situations where there did not seem to be enough money to pay the bills. In the early days a clergyman's stipend was barely enough to feed a growing family! However, we took Jesus at His word, trusted our Heavenly Father to provide, and saw many wonderful answers to prayer.

Now, as we are older, and financially better off than we have ever been, we are faced with a whole new set of challenges. With compulsory retirement looming in a few years we are being encouraged from many different directions to plan ahead. (Contrary to some rumours, the Anglican Church does nothing to provide for retired clergy apart from a superannuation fund.)

The ways of the past, where most Retirees could expect to receive a pension to look after their basic needs, are passing away. As the "Baby Boomer" generation approaches retirement, and the Government faces the prospect of large pay-outs of age pensions, they have been moving over the past few years to encourage (or force) retirees to be self-funded. A great deal of legislation has been passed in regard to superannnuation and the restriction of eligibility for the pension.

All this means that time and effort is required to plan for retirement. In fact, there have been advertisements in the media suggesting that such planning should be undertaken from one's earliest days in the work force. And this creates a whole new field of worry.

Yet, in spite of this whole new culture of financial planning, Jesus' words still stand: "Do not worry." And, to make the point even clearer, Jesus repeats himself a little later; "Do not set your heart on what you will eat and drink; do not worry about it." (Luke 12:29)

Yet, it is one thing for Jesus to say it. It is quite another for us to put it into practice. We may not, like many in other parts of the world, be concerned about where our next meal is coming from; or our next pair of shoes. But the challenge of funding our desired way of life; of paying the mortgage and all the other bills, causes many sleepless nights.

How then do we move from that level of stress and anxiety over money that causes many ulcers and slits up many families?

The answer is to be found in the rest of what Jesus had to say. The first reason Jesus gives for his command not to worry is that "life is more than food, and the body more than clothes." We might see these as absolutely basic needs, but Jesus points out that they are NOT the be-all and end-all of life. In fact, when Jesus had been without food for forty days, and was tempted by the devil to turn stones into bread, his reply was: "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matt 4:4)

The second reason Jesus gives for not worrying is the evidence of Father God's provision for other members of His creation: the birds and the lilies. He calls us to trust our Father to provide for us, because we are so much more valuable. Fundamental to the faith we profess is the affirmation of both the capability and the willingness of our Father in heaven to care for the needs of His children.

The third reason for not worrying is more pragmatic. Worry will not increase our life-span by even the smallest amount. In fact, as medical research has shown, worry can cause all sorts of debilitating disease that eats us up inside. Many serious complaints, including cancer, stomach ulcers, arthritis, migraine etc can be caused by worry.

The final and greatest reason for not worrying is that Father God has already given us the kingdom. As His children we have resources that are limited only by our capacity to use them. Since we have Kingdom resources available to us now, and waiting for us in their fullest sense in the future, we can afford to be generous in giving of our riches to the poor! (Luke 12:33)

And so, as I do what the Government tells me to do, and begin to make plans for the big unknown beyond retirement, I try not to let this drag me into worry. As someone once said: "I do not know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future!" The most important antidote to worry is the knowledge that our Heavenly father is looking after us. If you have not yet come to that place, then do let me help you.

John Davies
12 August 2001