It seems that everywhere you look, people have the constant worry of whether they have all that's required to appear a success - the cool car, the lovely home, the fine clothes and all the latest technology - it appears to be an ongoing race to "keep up with the Jones' " (or the Kardashian's). However, there is a problem with this all consuming quest for possessions, and the worry about not achieving it, and that is it can end up controlling us.
In Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus tells us not to worry about how to get possessions, he says that God will provide us with what we need. Importantly, the focus here is on what we need - not what we want.
He also tells us that we are unable to add even the smallest measure of time to our lives by worrying. In fact, we know now that worrying is more likely to make us unhappy and possibly unwell.
Finally, Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow as today has troubles enough. Tomorrow is a closed book and no matter how much we fret about the future it will not affect the outcome; Jesus is telling us to live for today and deal with tomorrow
when it arrives.
So, as Christians what are we able to do to avoid this trap. The answer is simple: Trust that God will provide for our needs. A simple answer, but in practise, quite difficult to do, as in this materialistically focused and stress-laden society it is often difficult to acknowledge God's power to provide.
What's required is to switch our focus from a materialistic world-view to God's Kingdom, we need to read and listen to His Word and see how other Christians, past and present, have responded to this challenge. It is when we, God's people, see our sisters and brothers in most need and choose to minister to them, rather than serve our own needs, that we begin to serve Christ as well and move toward God's Kingdom.
The Gospel tells us that Jesus understands we have basic needs and he doesn't condemn us for recognising them, however he also knows how the desire for possessions, and the worry about obtaining them, can have such an adverse effect on us, so he advises us to place our trust in our Heavenly Father and depend on Him for our needs.
God bless
Mark
