Text: Luke 12:22-31
Do Not Worry
22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
New International Version - for other versions see 
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Sermon
There is no doubting how concerned people are about the condition of the world today. No better example do we have than our last election. The Greens vote received a huge swing, as people wanted their vote to represent a vote for the environment. The Lower House made history by having its first Greens MP. Climate change and an emissions trading scheme were two of the top policy items that were part of the election campaign. Whether you agree or disagree with the view on climate change or what the Greens stand for, it is undeniable that there is a great concern for the environment, or, as Christians, what we call “Creation”.
As Christians we have a concern for creation. Like all people, we have a concern for future generations. It would be selfish to believe that this wonderful creation is just for our generation – and yet that is how it is often treated. We want our children, and our children’s children to experience the wonder and beauty of this great creation, including all the species that make up this great world. We don’t want them to only read of the great species that have died out, or to just see pictures of the Great Barrier Reef that is no longer ‘great’.
As Christians, we also believe that this creation is a gift of God that he has given to us. Even though a gift transfers ownership (otherwise it’s not really a gift), there is still a connection with the giver. Imagine if a child made their father something for father’s day (next week) as a gift. The child gives it to the father – it’s his. But if the father then takes it and throws it into the rubbish bin, it would hurt the child. Or, if you put a lot of thought and effort into buying a gift for your father, and you discover that he has returned it to the store for a refund and bought something different you’d be hurt, even though as a gift he was free to use it in whatever way he chose. Usually, because of his love for the giver, he will love and respect the gift. The love of the Giver is shared with the Gift.
That’s the same as this creation. Although it is a gift from God, we have a desire to care for it because of our love for God. But we also have our own immediate need to care for the earth. The more we use our natural resources the more scarce they become. And the scarcer they become, the more expensive they will become for us. And so we have seen great initiatives in trying to reduce our use of nature’s resources: wind farms, hybrid cars, water tanks, pink bats (– well, maybe not).
As Christians, our beginning point in the care of Creation is acknowledging God as the giver. This acknowledges that the future of the world is not dependant on us, but on God. Our care for Creation is best done when we acknowledge that the world and all creation are God’s gift to us, and not something that is exclusively ours just because it is given to us.
And this is probably the biggest difference between the theory of evolution and the belief of Creation. In evolution there is no gift or giver. The theory of evolution believes that things are random and will change and evolve. There will be a survival of the fittest and an adaption to the changes in creation for survival. Hence giraffes grew long necks to reach the tall trees. Microbes came from the sea and adapted to living on the land, and eventually walked upright. And so we begin to believe that the survival of the planet is dependant on us. Therefore if we can modify our behaviour, then we can determine the best outcome for the planet.
While that is honourable, it is much better stewardship and care if we acknowledge this creation as God’s gift to us, rather than our possession by right. Hence that father’s day gift made at school, of a wobbly coffee cup that leaks, won’t be sent away to be fixed or hidden away, but placed on a shelf in a place of honour and every care taken to look after it. If it is dropped and broken, it is much more devastating than dropping and smashing that expensive crystal wine glass.
This is why we care for creation: because it is God’s gift to us. And we know the hurt that God experiences at a broken world. Sustainability for the future is important, but it shouldn’t be our first reason for why we care for the world. That’s what seems to be coming through in our Bible readings today. Jesus says: “Do not worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!” (Luke 12:23-24) He goes on to say: “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.” (Luke 12:27-28) Ultimately, the care and survival of creation depends on God and his love for humanity.
It’s interesting that Victorians are going to be relieved of their water restrictions. Why? Not because God has been gracious and sent us abundant rain. No, because Victorians have been very good in saving their water. We can save all the water we like, but if God doesn’t send the rain, we won’t receive water to save. And so, our care for the world begins with our love for God, and thanking him for his gift of Creation.
It’s very similar to last week’s situation when Jesus healed on the Sabbath (Luke 13:10-17). The commandments are properly applied when the foundation of loving God and neighbour are in place, otherwise they can be misused. Likewise, our care for Creation needs to begin with the right foundation – our love for God and neighbour, rather than self preservation. Preservation and care for Creation will be an outcome of our love for God and neighbour, as will good stewardship of our resources and all that exists.
And that is what comes out of our Old Testament reading in Job (Job 39:1-8, 26-30). When it looked like Job’s world was falling apart before his eyes, he and his friends turned their attention inward. They tried to find the reason and the solution by looking inward, to what they needed to do and what changes needed to happen to solve the problem. And that’s when God intervened by reminding them who was the Creator.
Even though the world was given to humanity as a gift, God remains the Creator and we the Creation. And we cannot properly care for Creation without acknowledging the creator. Creation is a gift to us: a gift given by the love of the Creator; a creation that continues to survive because of the love of the Creator.
So, let us continue to show our appreciation for the gift and our love for the giver, God the Creator, as we care for this world and all that exists on it. It is easy to look at the poor condition of Creation and all that is wrong in the world, or, as Jesus says, we can consider the lilies of the field and all the beauty and splendour that each day brings, and give glory to God by caring for this great gift he has given us; a gift surpassed only by the greatest gift of his Son, whom we await to usher in the new and perfect creation.