Worry Wart

Matthew 6:19-34

Introduction: Have you ever heard the term/expression worry wart? Have you ever wondered where that came from?

In the late 1920’s a character called ‘worry wary’ appeared in a cartoon strip in Dell comics and was drawn by J.R. Williams.

‘Worry Wart’ became a generic nickname or insult for any character who caused others to worry.

Data from the National Institute of Mental Health

• An estimated 31.1% of U.S. adults experience any anxiety disorder at some time in their lives.²

Transition: Jesus in Matthew 6 addresses the issue of ‘worry,’ ‘anxiety,’ ‘take no thought.’

Worry – mermina = from merizo, which means ‘to divide into parts.’ The word suggest a distraction, a preoccupation with things causing anxiety, stress, and pressure.

1. Treasures and Treason(s) Matthew 6:19-24

Treasure = the place in which good and precious things are collected and laid up or stored. b. a casket, coffer, or other receptacle. c. collected treasures or goods.

Jesus teaches about a different or heavenly banking system!

Earthly Bank – Where rust or canker can consume and where thieves can steal. (There were no ‘banks’ then).

Heavenly Bank – We are to treasure the Lord Jesus most of all. When Jesus is our treasure, we will commit our resources—our money, our time, our talents—to His work in this world.

Our motivation for what we do is important (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Paul encourages servants that God has an eternal reward for those who are motivated to serve Christ: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23–24).

• God’s rewards are guaranteed and will not / cannot perish or best lost in any way.

Application: We’ve heard of banks failing lately. Even those who are FCIC Insured.

Jesus says, ‘Store up treasures for yourself in heaven.’

Ways to ‘Invest in Heavenly Riches’

• Giving to the needy and poor.
• Seeking first the kingdom of God
• Tithing

Let me share with you the difference between (true) treasure as opposed to treason.

‘The action of betraying someone or something’.

The Oxford Dictionary uses this example, ‘(that) doubt is the ultimate treason against faith.’

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is a United States government corporation supplying deposit insurance to depositors in American commercial banks and savings banks.

This section of Treasure or Treason ends in Matthew 6:21 with a Biblical Principle: ‘For where your treasure is, there will you heart be also.’

‘If God be the treasure of our souls, our hearts, i.e. our affections and desires will be placed on things above. An earthly minded man proves that his treasure is below; a heavenly minded man shows that his treasure is above’.

Application: It is a very honest and simple principle: ‘What we love, value, believe and trust in (our Heart) will be reflected is what / how we spend the resources God has blessed us with (treasures) there also.

6:21 –  What one sees and can be seen by others is exposed by the light and can be seen/known by us and by others.

6:24 – ‘You cannot serve two masters.’

You will treasure one or treason the other!

Transition:  Whether you like Bob Marley and reggae music or not…

Jesus says, ‘Don’t worry, be happy.’

Question: Don’t worry about what?

• What we will eat
• What we will drink
• What you will wear
• Even our very life/lives

Question: Why not Worry?

1. God Knows and Cares

Matthew 6:26, ‘Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?’ (NLT)

• Has no value or gain.

What will our uneasiness do? Nothing! Can/will all your worries add a single additional moment to your life? No!

All that ‘WORRY WART’ does is cast doubt, fear, mistrust, treason and shame against our relationship to God!

Conclusion: Jesus speaks against worry because of the watchful care of a heavenly Father who is ever mindful of our daily needs.