Anxiety
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21
Jesus moves from a consideration of hypocrisy to talk about anxiety. It is a strange progression, or so it seems, until we realize that both hypocrisy and anxiety are caused by self-centeredness masquerading as real religion. When we are too concerned about our reputation we are tempted to massage facts until we are seen in the best possible light. Hypocrisy is a deception that centers on the self. In the same way, anxiety arises when we think that the answer to all of our problems is to be found within ourselves. No wonder we are anxious when we see how far our problems outweigh our resources. Of course, our biggest failure, which we often do not even notice, is that we do not see that our resources are limitless, since they include God. Alone, there is not much we can do, but with God, all things are possible.[1]
Some people’s anxiety causes them to hoard. They store up earthly treasures because they are afraid that some catastrophe will come, and that they will lack the resources to be able to cope. Despite the anxiety, there is often an element of pride in hoarding. “See what I have done!” the hoarder says. “See how much I have amassed! I don’t need anyone to look after me.” As usual, pride loves to look enviously at those who have more, and disparagingly at those who have less. If only we could see that the greatest treasures are not to be found in this temporary world, but in heaven.[2] It does not matter too greatly how much we have here, it will all decay, and there are no pockets on a shroud. The rich man, like the poor man at his gate, will still die. How much better to store up treasures for eternity! The person who knows Christ as Savior and Lord, who is able to call God “Father,” and who has the blessing of His presence by the Holy Spirit, is richer than any duke. To have a Christ-centered faith is to possess the richest treasure of all, and to escape from the anxiety that torments so many today.
Father God,
I can have everything in the world,
but if I don’t have You, I have nothing.
All of the riches of the earth will rot away,
but Your Kingdom will remain forever.
Give me the faith that sees You at the center of my world,
and my joy shall surely be complete.
Amen.
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