Jesus didn't encourage the man who had "blessings in reserve for years to come" (Lk 12:19). Instead, He called him a fool (Lk 12:20). Jesus usually calls us to live from "day to day." He taught us to pray: "Give us today our daily bread" (Mt 6:11). Similarly, after the Exodus the Lord commanded His people not to save the manna for the next day, except for the Sabbath. When some people disobeyed Him, that which they had saved "became wormy and rotten" (Ex 16:20).

Some people are terrified by the prospect of not having anything saved up in the bank. What if an emergency occurs? What about retirement? What if they get sick? However, we should rejoice that our heavenly Father has committed Himself to provide for us on a daily basis. This means that every day we will see with our own eyes our Father faithfully and tenderly providing for us, His children. This daily experience of being fathered will help us bond deeply with our Father. Then we will become secure, peaceful, confident, carefree, affirmed, and joyful. Know our Father's love. Then instead of saying "What if?", you'll be saying "So what!"

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, March 22, 1997

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 26, 1997