In review of Matthew 6:25-27 it says, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?"
Bottom Line:
Don’t worry about everyday things, life is more than that. We more valuable to God than the creatures he already cares for. As such does worry even add any time to your life.
What this means to me:
I’m told to not worry about everyday things. Life is more than that. Since God cares for creatures much less valuable than myself, how much more would he care for me. Besides, does worry even add a single hour to my life.
Today's passage comes from Matthew 6, where Jesus teaches us about money and possessions. He tells us to not concentrate on storing up treasures here on earth, where they can be destroyed or stolen. He tells us that wherever your treasure is, there also will be the desires of your hearts. He also teaches us that no one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. For we cannot serve God and be enslaved to money. For these reasons, He tells us to not worry about everyday life and things. Life is more than this. If He cares for those creatures less valuable, how much more will he care for us. Can any of our worries add a single moment to our lives. So don't worry, instead seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give us everything we need. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.
Worry actually means there is something I can’t control, some happening over which I cannot have my way. In reality, it is a personal distrust and irritation with God. In Matthew 6, Jesus tells me not to worry!
I should seek to please God not only in my giving but also in fulfilling God's purpose in all we do. Jesus made it clear that having the wrong treasures leads to our hearts being in the wrong place. What I treasure the most is what controls me, whether I admit it or not. If possessions or money become too important to me, I must reestablish control or get rid of items. Jesus calls for a decision that allows me to live contentedly with whatever I have because I have chosen eternal values over temporary, earthly treasures.
Because of the ill effects of worry, Jesus tells us not to worry about those needs that God promises to supply. Worry may (1) damage my health, (2) disrupt my productivity, (3) negatively affect the way I treat others, and (4) reduce my ability to trust in God. Are there any ill effects of worry that I'm experiencing today? The difference between worry and genuine concern is that worry will immobilize me, but concern will move me to action.
I need to seek the Kingdom of God above all else. This means I am to put God first in my life, to fill my thoughts with his desires, to take his character for my pattern, and to serve and obey him in everything. So what is really important to me? People, objects, goals, and other desires all compete for my priority. Any of these can quickly become most important to me if I don't actively choose to give God first place in every area of my life.
Planning for tomorrow is time well spent; worrying about tomorrow is time wasted. Sometimes it's difficult to tell the difference. Careful planning is thinking ahead about goals, steps, and schedules, and trusting in God's guidance. When done well, planning can help alleviate worry. Someone who worries, by contrast, is consumed by fear and find it difficult to trust God. They let their plans interfere with their relationship with God. So I shouldn't let worries about tomorrow affect my relationship with God today.
So what may be shifting my focus to things that are completely out of my control? Jesus has already defeated every enemy we will ever face. So allow Jesus to lead the way, and I’ll learn what unadulterated joy is all about.
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