Radical Trust

Matthew 6:24-26

‘…You cannot serve both God and money. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear… Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?’

In the Old Testament there were two key festivals around harvesting where the Jewish people gave to the temple, their place of worship. The ‘Festival of First-fruits’ where they would bring a tithe (10%) of their crops from their first harvest. Fifty days later there was the ‘Festival of Weeks.’ Here at the completion of the seasonal harvest, they would give another gift and offering as a sign of thanksgiving. It’s important to note that during the fifty days between these festivals so much was uncertain and unpredictable. Bad weather and flash floods could decimate a crop. With no savings or investments to fall back on, it left people very vulnerable. So the first gift of their crops during the ‘Festival of First-fruits’ involved enormous faith. It was a radical act of trust in God as the ultimate provider. 

We have a choice. Will we ultimately trust God or money? From a young age I’ve made the choice and outworked the discipline of tithing and over the years, God has always been faithful and provided. At the end of the day I know I’d rather trust in God Almighty for my finances than the Bank of England!

Prayer – Thank you Lord that you promise to look after me. [Take a moment to bring before God your cares and worries around your finances]. Teach me Lord to trust you. Thank you that you will never let me down.