Luke 9:3 He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt.”

Here, Jesus is sending out the 12, and in the next chapter He sends out the 72. That said, these are pretty extreme instructions. The point was to teach them that their heavenly Father would indeed meet all their needs, just as He had taught in Matthew 6. We give intellectual assent to the concept, but we tend to have a lot of trouble with it emotionally. We’re back to the idea of Kingdom Economics, which we touched on with the story of the “Widow’s Mite.” We are indoctrinated with the idea that the world runs on money, even though cash is becoming increasingly rare, and such ephemeral things as cryptocurrencies seeming to take over. The point is, on the eternal scale, all of that is meaningless. God has made it very clear that our stewardship of finances is of great importance, because it displays our priorities, but the ultimate supply of everything is God, who Created it all by expressing His will. When God spoke the universe into being, money and physical supplies are no issue for Him. The better we grasp that, the more peace and boldness we will have.

This is very close to home, when my wife and I are leaving for a 3 week trip in just over two weeks. I don’t think God is telling us to do exactly as Jesus told the 12, because our task isn’t identical. However, we are indeed His agents, just as the 12 were, so we should be anxious for nothing. Last night I woke up at 2 and never went back to sleep, though my body rested. I’m getting some real training in trusting God! The financial aspects of the trip are taken care of, but there are many other factors in it that keep my brain running. Having been out of American society for seven years, many things threaten to be very unfamiliar, and at 77, I don’t like that! I need to trust that God will provide the instruction and guidance I need, when I need it, and I’m not to be anxious about it ahead of time. That’s much easier said than done, particularly when I’m used to be the one everyone turns to for information. This is one more lesson in the stupidity of pride! I am to trust God no less than the 12 did, keeping myself available to Him at all times, for Him to say and do through me whatever He likes, for the blessing of those around me and for His glory.

Father, thank You for this further reminder. I had a similar sleepless night not that long ago, for exactly the same reason. Help me actually learn the lessons You are so faithful to teach me, so that I may grow to be all that You desire and intend me to be, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!