Loving God, you have generously provided for all of your creation, and yet we often miss your goodness in the midst of human greed. Help us to see clearly this day the blessings that come from your hand, and renew our minds and hearts by the power of your Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Some of you will have noticed that the gospel which I read today has come up in a number of different settings lately. It was one of the first passages that we looked at in the current Bible study, and it was also the subject of devotions at our last council meeting. Thus, I was more than a little surprised to discover that this is the gospel assigned for Thanksgiving. Could God be trying to say something here?

"Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. ... Look at the birds of the air... Consider the lilies of the field... " (Mt. 6:25-28).

This past week I did just that. One day as I was waiting to turn on to McPhillips St. right in front of the church, I noticed a seagull over on the grass. This seagull had somehow come up with an entire bagel, and was awkwardly trying to fly with it. At some point, the bird gave up on this idea and started pecking at it with all his might, digging in far enough to be able to eat the softer bread inside. Now where the bird actually got this bagel I do not know. However, I do know that he didn't bake it and that he really has no worries so far as finding enough food to eat.

Now it certainly would be possible to look at the birds of the air and to conclude that they have enough to eat because they are scavengers and take what doesn't belong to them. However, it is also possible to look at the birds of the air from the perspective of faith and to say, "What amazing creatures God has created! They are beautiful. They are well-clothed. They are able to fly, and they have everything that they could ever need in the natural world."

Jesus says: Look at what care God has taken in creating and providing for the birds of the air. Aren't you worth much more than the birds? And look at the beauty of the lilies and the flowers! Didn't God create just as much beauty in you? Won't God clothe you with all that is needed?

So - did Jesus teach that we really don't need to do anything to provide for ourselves? Some might like to think so, but the whole passage from Matthew hinges on the command to seek the kingdom of God above all else. Jesus teaches us that living out of love for God and for the people around us is the most important. When we are doing this, needs like food and clothing will take care of themselves and are not things that need to worry us.

Of course, this is where many people will insert a great big BUT: But what about those people who don't have enough to eat or clothes to wear? In answer to this "but", consider for a moment what it means to seek the kingdom of God above all else. Seeking God's kingdom means that we live as part of a Christian community. Seeking God's kingdom means sharing what we have with those in need. Seeking God's kingdom means living generously rather than greedily. Seeking God's kingdom means living honestly rather than deceitfully.

Last weekend at the Metro Conference Convention, Pastor Michael Kurtz spoke about a Muslim friend who was moving to a different city and had very little money at the time (I think he was a university student). Yet, his friend was not the least bit worried in this situation. Why? - Because he knew that he could go to the mosque when he got there and that he would find there a community of brothers and sisters who would be there for him if he needed it.

Of course, one of the questions that Pastor Michael asked was whether we would have the same confidence as Christians that we would find help from the Christian community. As it happens, this kind of help coming from brothers and sisters in Christ was acted out right in front of us in the news this week. One of the reports surrounding the shooting of several girls at an Amish schoolhouse focussed upon how the Amish do not believe in medical insurance. Although a number of reasons could be given for this belief, the reporter simply said that they believe in helping each other out. Now, with several families facing long recoveries in hospital and large medical bills, Mennonites in Manitoba have quietly started raising funds in order to help them out. Why? - Because these are their brothers and sisters in Christ, and that is simply what Christians do!

Certainly, there are people in this world who do not have enough to eat. Although we could go into great detail about the causes, for the most part it boils down to human greed. Yet, I believe you would be hard pressed to find somebody who is an active part of a Christian community and is going hungry. Even in the poorest parts of the world, Christians share what they have with one another.

At the same time, I have a suspicion that Jesus was addressing people who actually have more than enough and yet still worry about everything. One of the questions that Jesus asks in the verses preceding today's gospel is where our treasure is (Mt. 6:19-21). He points out that if our treasure is of an earthly nature, we will always be worried about losing it: Somebody might steal it, or moths might ruin it, or it might rust out and get ruined. Everything of an earthly nature has the potential to be lost, stolen or destroyed.

However, if our treasure is of a heavenly nature, it will last into eternity. When our treasure is with God, it is in no danger of being destroyed. When our heart is focussed on God and on the kingdom of God, we have no cause for worry. When we truly see that loving God and following Jesus Christ are the things that really matter, we are able to be content and to see what a treasure we already have because of Jesus Christ.

The reality is that most of us worry about having enough even though we already have far more than most of the rest of the world. We worry: Will I have enough? Will it last? We even worry as a church: Will we have enough? Will it last? Yet, especially for a church, this is absolutely the wrong question. The question should be: Are we seeking the kingdom of God and its righteousness above all else? Are we seeking to live in love for God and for others in all that we say and do? When we can say "yes" to these things, everything else will take care of itself.

There is a quote that comes from Origen - a Christian writer from the third century. It is simply part of today's gospel put forth in different words. According to Origen, Jesus says, "Seek the great things and the little things will be added to you, and seek the heavenly things and the earthly things will be added to you" [Interpreter's Bible, Vol. 7].

Really, isn't it a matter of seeing the big picture? We so easily get side-tracked by the little things and find all kinds of things to worry about. Yet, the big picture is that God is the one who has created us, who has provided for us, and who loves us. God is the one who has given us eternal life through his Son, Jesus Christ. God is the one who matters and who will not bail out on us or disappoint us or disappear on us.

"But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Mt. 6:33).

Thanks be to God! Amen.

Day of Thanksgiving (B) Matthew 6:25-33
October 8, 2006
St. Luke's Zion Lutheran Church
Pastor Lynne Hutchison Moore
? 2006 Lynne Hutchison Moore All Rights Reserved