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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
We are reading and studying in Luke Chapter 12, where Jesus Christ has taught His disciples how they can avoid Hypocrisy, Greed and Fear. How many in our world today would like to be set free from one or two of these? But on He goes to deal with another equally serious matter that troubles so many.
At verse 22, Jesus says - "Do not worry about your life - what you will eat - or about your body and how you will clothe it." These words are being spoken to disciples. They are for us. Jesus is saying to us - Follow Me and I will help you avoid all worry. Wealth can be as much a problem to those who have a lot of money as well as those who do not have much. Those who have plenty and those who have very little, tend to worry.
Jesus is saying "Don't worry - rather trust." Now, this is not always easy but it is the way Jesus Christ would have His followers live.
Life is more than food and clothing. Life is more than physical and material. Food and clothing should not be a priority concern. There is a spiritual dimension which must not be neglected - rather, it has to be fed good food. Jesus is encouraging His disciples to be concerned about their spiritual growth and development and well-being.
Verse 24. Look at the ravens - they don't do a lot of work - they don't sow or reap. They accept their allotted place in the economy of Creation, and GOD feeds them. "How much more valuable you are than birds!"
A very serious question arises here. We have to pause and take time to face it. When in our world men and women and children are not being fed - what has gone wrong? It is not the fault of God! It sounds a simple question, but the answer has become complex and so complicated. When there are so many famines - when there would appear to be such a shortage of food - over these past years - there has ALWAYS been more food produced in the world than is actually needed by man. In most years, there has been 30% more food than is need - than man requires. So GOD has done His part.
Jesus makes it so very clear. So, man better wrestle seriously, with this crucial problem at the highest level and at every level.
Wars - tribal disputes - weather conditions - but MOSTLY BAD AND INADEQUATE DISTRIBUTION - these are the causes of many famines and food shortages. Basically SIN - Man's unwillingness to share. This is an important question - and there is an answer – and this is an area where the Church of Jesus Christ must speak out but also act accordingly.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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