THE FAITH PERSPECTIVE
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Opening Prayer
Thank you for giving me access to the Bible, Father, when so many in the world are kept from it. Help me to take every opportunity to learn from it and live by it.
Read MATTHEW 6:25—34
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Matthew
Matthew 6
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Reflect
What are those things that are most likely to worry you?
Few of us have no anxiety. Indeed, anxiety has been called private enemy number one. ‘Stop worrying’ is one of the most unhelpful pieces of advice! On the surface, this famous passage may seem somewhat unrealistic. However, two things should be noted. First, the word ‘Therefore’ (v. 25) links this passage with Jesus’ preceding warnings about money and amassing material treasures. He is talking to his disciples, not addressing world economics. Being tightly obsessed with possessions, health, food, and fashion, is exactly how pagans live (v. 32).
Of course, God is not opposed to possessions, money, and good health. Our basic needs matter, as we pray ‘Give us today our daily bread’ (6:11), but if that is all we are living for, then we are not only multiplying worries but missing out on living life as God intends. The startling contrast between carefree birds and lilies and Solomon’s beautiful finery emphasizes God’s care for all creation, including us. Indeed, the brevity of a flower’s life gives us a different perspective on our own lives. In our short lives, how absurdly misplaced are our worries about fashion. God wants us to live with faith invested in living out the truths that matter to him, for the future with him.
The second point is Jesus’ emphasis on faith (v. 30). In our daily lives, who are we trusting and living for? What really matters? Focusing on his kingdom gives the right perspective. Rather than setting our minds on earthly things (6:19) that pass away, Jesus calls us to trust him by living the beatitudes way! Concentration on possessions diminishes our faith and multiplies our worries, which Jesus recognizes are part of everyday life: ‘Each day has enough trouble of its own’ (v. 34).
Apply
One commentator sums this up: ‘Jesus doesn’t call us to be care-less about provisions but to be care-free.’1 How do you respond to this challenge?
Closing prayer
Heavenly Father, in this world of trouble, help me keep my focus on you and on those things important to you. Help me to trust in your faithfulness today as well as for eternity.
1 Scot McKnight, Sermon on the Mount (Zondervan, 2013), 223.
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