Matthew 6:25-34
As we enter the new year it’s good to think about our priorities
and consider how we have spent our time and resources. God
gives us all the same amount of time each day, 24 hours, how we
spend it is up to us. What will you do with your time and
resources this year?
One thing is certain, Jesus doesn’t want us to worry about our
lives and what we will eat or drink or wear. Our Scripture passage
for today is found in Matthew 6:25-34. Before we turn there, listen
to some quotes about worry.
Worry…
…over tomorrow pulls shadows over today’s sunshine.
…is like a rocking chair; it will give you something to do, but it
won’t get you anywhere.
…is an indication that we think God cannot look after us. (O.
Chambers)
…is putting question marks where God has put periods. (J R Rice)
…is the interest we pay on tomorrow’s troubles. (E S Jones)
…is an intrusion into God’s providence. (J Haggai)
…is a guest admitted which quickly turns to master.
… never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its
strength (A J Cronin)
…is practical atheism and an affront to God (R. H. Mounce)
For context, this passage is part of Jesus’ sermon on the mount.
Earlier in chapter 6 Jesus taught them how to pray.
And the verses immediately preceding our text are about storing
up treasures in heaven rather than what will rust and be eaten by
moths here on earth.
Matthew 6:25-34
The word anxious or worry in the Greek means to divide or draw
in different directions.
When we worry we are basically pulling ourselves apart based on
something that may or may not happen.
Jesus gives several reasons why we should not worry.
Jesus tells His disciples not to worry because
God provides for all of His creation.
Jesus gives two examples of His creation that he cares for, the
birds and the lilies.
He refers to God as their heavenly Father who feeds the birds
and takes care of the lilies.
Jesus also mentions Solomon, who was very wealthy and
dressed incredibly dapper.
Nothing he wore could even compare to how God dressed the
flowers of the field.
The point Jesus is making is that God loves and provides for
every part of His creation. We shouldn’t worry about what we are
going to eat or drink or wear. God is going to take care of us.
Remember how God provided manna from heaven for the
Israelites as they were wandering in the wilderness. God is our
provider, we never have to worry about Him taking care of us.
He always meets our needs.
Jesus tells His disciples not to worry because
They are Valuable to God.
Genesis tells us that we were created in God’s image.
Psalms tells us that He knew us before we were even formed in
our mother’s womb.
Hebrews tells us that God wants us to come boldly to the throne
of grace in prayer to Him.
Good made everything on earth but only man was made in His
image.
We are valuable to Him.
Jesus tells His disciples not to worry because
Worry is not Productive.
Not only is worry not productive, its effects are dangerous to our
health.
The American physician, Charles Mayo, called worry the disease
of doubt. He said it affects the circulation, the heart, the glands,
the whole nervous system. I have never known a man who died
from overwork, but many who have died from doubt.
Worry is hazardous to our health. Not only does worry not add a
single hour to our life, it could shorten it.
Worry is linked to heart attacks, high blood pressure and stroke.
Jesus tells His disciples not to worry because
Worry shows a Lack of Faith.
Jesus uses the phrase “O you of little faith” to emphasize that if
they had greater faith in their heavenly Father, they wouldn’t be
worried at all.
Remember our context. Jesus taught them to pray for their daily
bread.
God gives us what we need when we need it.
He wants us to ask Him for what we need.
Worrying about it does nothing but stress us out and proves that
we don’t trust Him to take care of us.
Jesus tells His disciples not to worry because
God Knows what we Need
There is nothing that surprises God.
He knows exactly what we need and when we need it.
Jesus says that the Gentiles seek after all these things because
they don’t know God. Jesus’ point is that God loves His children
and knows what we need so we don’t have to worry and stress
about these things.
APPLICATION
Verse 33 is the focal verse of the passage and also provides the
application. What we should do rather than worry is;
Seek God First
James Kraft, founder of Kraft food said that as a young man
he had a desire to be the most famous manufacturer and
salesman of cheese in the world. He planned on becoming
rich and famous by making and selling cheese, and began as
a young fellow with a little buggy pulled by a pony named
Paddy.
After making his cheese, the youth would load his wagon,
and he and Paddy would drive down the streets of Chicago
to sell the cheese. As the months passed, young Kraft began
to despair because he was not making any money, in spite of
his long hours and hard work.
One day he pulled his pony to a stop and began to talk to
him. He said, “Paddy, there is something wrong. We are not
doing it right. I am afraid we have things turned around. Our
priorities are not where they ought to be. Maybe we ought to
serve God and place Him first in our lives.”
Kraft then drove home and made a covenant that for the rest
of his life he would first serve God and then would work as
God directed.
God wants us to put Him first in our lives. We are to put him first
and seek His righteous.
Righteousness is a gift from God.
Ephesians 2:4-9 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of
the great love with which he loved us, even when we were
dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ –
by grace you have been saved – and raised us up with him
and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ
Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the
immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in
Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through
faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not
a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Let’s put away worry and focus on God this year.