A Question for the Weary Worrier: Why?

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!
Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
~Matthew 6:24-34

Disclaimer: The author of this brief commentary can be, and has been, described as a "weary worrier" or a "worrywart." This is a self-description which has been confirmed by others in his circle of friends and family.

One sin that most Christians (including myself) commit everyday is worrying. Jesus clearly commands us not to worry: do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on . Taken in context, Jesus is dealing with where one places their trust. The issue is one of security. He gives this command right after stating that You cannot serve God and wealth . We are much like the Pharisees and attempt to find our security in wealth and not God. How many times do we feel that we need a raise or a higher paying job in order to make it through life? We falsely believe that money is the answer to our problems. This has become even more apparent in our society with the current economic trouble we are in. However, a look at Hollywood should quickly dispel these views as obviously money seems to cause more problems for many than solving them.

Jesus' point is that we do not need to place our security in money. Look at His examples. The "birds of the air" do not work to store their food in barns. Instead God cares for them and provides food for them. I love Jesus' point in vs. 27 And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? Worry does not profit at all. If anything, it may take away days of your life instead of changing anything. Also, the "lilies of the field" do not "toil" or "spin" and yet God has clothed them with more splendor than Solomon himself. Surely birds and flowers do not worry about having enough money to eat or clothe themselves. In fact, this should encourage us not to worry because if God takes care of birds and flowers, why would He not take care of those whom He has chosen to be His children. After all, God is not going to give one of His children a brick when He asks for bread (Matthew 7:9-11) and He knows what we need (vs. 32) and will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Luke's record of Jesus' sermon includes a statement that warms my heart: Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom (12:32). If God has gladly decided to give us salvation through His Son when we were His enemies and dead in our sins, then why would He not take care of providing for our everyday necessities of food and clothing? We sadly can be described just as the disciples as being "of little faith" and just like the pagan Gentiles who are concerned about such things.

Instead of worrying, Jesus commands us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (vs. 33). As always, Jesus redirects us from an earthly focus to a heavenly one. He did this earlier when He urged His followers to store up for yourselves treasures in heaven in contrast to treasures on earth (vs. 19-20). Our job is to seek God and trust that He will take care of the rest. The all these things refers to "eating" and "clothing" as well as other material things. Therefore, instead of worrying about tomorrow (this is not saying to not be prepared for the future but only to not be anxious about it) rest in the only place which one can be secure: God. He will care for tomorrow as well as the troubles of today. Praise God that we have a loving God who cares for us and will provide for us!

Snickers asks "why wait?" but Jesus asks "why worry?"

In Christ,
Lee
Soli Deo Gloria