by Elder Johnny Kim
Lately, I’ve noticed that the older I get, the more I’m growing in my distaste for shopping malls. Between the packed parking lots, bustling crowds, and walking, for me, whatever I might need to buy hardly ever seems worth all the trouble. Rather, when it comes to shopping I have adopted the personal motto of, “If I can’t get it at Costco, then it either doesn’t exist or I don’t need it.” Of course I would have to assume that the majority of the general population doesn’t hold to my views, or else malls would quickly be going out of business. In fact, quite the opposite is true as it seems like the malls around town are always flourishing and are constantly being remodeled and expanded with increased offerings for shoppers. One thing I’ve noticed though is that whatever size a given mall might be, a quick look at the mall directory reveals what is typically true for all malls: the majority of the stores in a mall are related to the sale of clothing. And also typically true is that in second place are all the various eateries and restaurants to feed the hungry masses who are shopping for said clothing.
Interestingly, and perhaps not so coincidentally, it just so happens that in the Bible we can find that Jesus addressed these two very things: clothing and food. In Matthew 6:19-34 (and mirrored in Luke 12:13-34), Jesus uses the items of clothing and food to address the issue of worrying about earthly and material goods in light of God’s kingdom. Jesus teaches that rather than worrying about such things, Christians should be primarily concerned with seeking God and doing His kingdom work. Even the things that are arguably necessities for life here on Earth are not to be what occupies our thoughts and minds. Biologically speaking, we certainly need food and water to live, and even clothing to protect our bodies from the elements. However, God makes it clear that He desires for us, who He has created to be spiritual beings, to be occupied with Him and His spiritual concerns. Furthermore, God promises to provide for our earthly needs should we be completely engrossed in serving Him and His purposes.
The truth of these passages can certainly serve to bring the Christian some comfort and peace during times of physical need and uncertainty. However, the Christian must ultimately recognize that these passages represent clear commands from God, commands to abstain from such worry and anxiety. In other words, to worry about the physical needs of our life is to be in direct disobedience to God and therefore is sin. It might not seem fair to be caught in sin for “merely” worrying about things that we literally need in order to stay alive. However, the standard has been established by God in His word and a closer look at His word, specifically in Matthew 6:19-34, helps us to understand how the sin of worry can indeed turn us away from seeking after God.
God’s promise to provide for our earthly needs is clear. If we “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness”, God promises to care for our needs. And yet many Christians still live their lives as if God never has and never will come through on His promises. When we worry about the very things God promised He would provide, worrying in our heart is as if we are speaking with our lips, “God, I don’t believe You and I think You are a liar who can’t be trusted”. The sin of worry serves to reveal just how little regard we have for God’s word and His faithfulness. In Matthew 6:32, Jesus offers the reminder that God, the one who created us, certainly knows that we need things such as food and clothing in order to live. Those requirements are not lost on the God who is not only all-knowing, but specifically created us to need those things. So it is God’s role to provide us with those things according to His timing and in the manner in which He ordains. Yet when we worry, we in essence “take things into our own hands” and seek to obtain for ourselves, by our own efforts, those things that God has authority over. We are no less foolish than a naive child rebelling against his parents when through our worrying heart, we tell God, “I know exactly what I need and when I need it and You don’t”.
Worrying is not just a harmless emotion and a natural instinct. Christians who know the truth are to understand that worrying is a sin and an offense to God. God has provided for us through His truth and in the evidence of His faithfulness all that we need to know in order to rely on Him wholeheartedly. Worrying steals away from God’s faithfulness, His authority, and His goodness so that ultimately, God and worry cannot coexist in the Christian life. What worries do you have in your life? Are you more concerned about your earthly needs or your heavenly Father’s desires? In the end, without God, there’s no mall that will be big enough to satisfy the worries of this life.