Our scripture this morning is Matthew 6:25-34.
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? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field 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 wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Jesus pairs this teaching with His lesson about money and possessions for good reason. He teaches us not to obsess over our food, clothing and lifestyle. In verse 32 He warns and comforts us, saying “These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.”
He is not saying “don’t work for what you need” and He is definitely not saying “don’t worry about those who have needs they can’t meet”. What Jesus asks is that we not let our desires for things like these interfere with our connection to God and each other. He reminds us that like all of creation, we are only here temporarily and that God has an eternal plan for everything.
Jesus closes His lesson with the wise words “don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (v. 34). We often let these issues affect us in ways that block our relationship with our Heavenly Father and our brothers and sisters. If we focus on what Jesus has taught us and the gifts we have to help each other, we can all work together for the life everlasting we are promised.
Gracious God, we are grateful for all You have provided us. Help us to see that we are all Your children and to use Your blessings for the work we are called to accomplish. Amen.