From The Pastor's Study: Do Not Worry

Matthew 6:19-34 "19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;

20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22  “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;

29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Do Not Fear

Faith empowers believers to look beyond the trials and challenges of life, centering their focus on Christ and His eternal kingdom. Matthew 6:19-34 serves as a profound reminder of this truth, urging Christians to prioritize heavenly treasures over earthly concerns. In this passage, Jesus teaches that the things of this world are fleeting, subject to decay and theft, whereas treasures stored in heaven are imperishable. He emphasizes that our hearts follow what we value most, calling us to reflect on whether our true treasure lies in God’s kingdom or in the temporary pleasures of the world.

Jesus continues by illustrating the importance of maintaining a clear and focused vision, comparing the eye to a lamp that fills the body with either light or darkness. He warns against serving two masters, highlighting the impossibility of serving both God and material wealth simultaneously. This sets the stage for His command to avoid worrying about life’s necessities—what we will eat, drink, or wear. Jesus points to nature, specifically the birds and flowers, as examples of God’s provision. If God cares so much for these lesser parts of creation, how much more will He care for His children? Worrying, He argues, adds nothing to our lives but rather distracts us from trusting in God’s faithful provision.

The crux of Jesus' message is found in Matthew 6:33, where He instructs His followers to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness," with the assurance that all their earthly needs will be met. This pursuit of God’s kingdom is not just one priority among many; it is the ultimate goal that should guide every aspect of a believer's life. By focusing on God’s kingdom and righteousness, Christians can live without the burden of anxiety over worldly concerns, trusting that God will provide for them according to His will.

In conclusion, the passage from Matthew 6 invites believers to adopt a mindset of trust and dependence on God, even amidst the uncertainties of life. By prioritizing the eternal over the temporal and placing their faith in God’s providence, Christians can experience peace and freedom from worry. This faith-driven focus on Christ and His kingdom not only aligns us with God’s purposes but also positions us to run the race of life with confidence, knowing that our ultimate prize is eternal life with Him.

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”