Last week we started to study the full context of the well-known verse of what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 (from the King James version of the Bible), “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”. We learned in the first half of the context beginning in verse 19 and ending with 24, that in these verses Jesus was not only talking to the wealthy but that what He said also applies to those who have limited incomes or the poor.
Review of the first half of the context from las week.
In verse 19 Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.”. It is in this verse we understand, whether rich or poor, a Christian whose priority is to “…store up for yourselves treasures on earth…” sometimes it can possibly be to impress others with what they have. These earthly or material “treasures” can also can give a Christian a corrupted sense and expression of identity which is idolatry. These “…treasures on earth” can also contribute to a Christian’s false sense of security.
The second half of the context of Matthew 6:33 is, Matthew 6:25-34.
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Loock at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
As was stated last week, some commentators believe that in this portion Jesus was only directing His words to the poor. However, we must also understand what Jesus says can also apply to a Christian who is considered wealthy or not in need, who also worries concerning what Jesus states are, “what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.”, all of which can be basic needs of life.
Concerning the poor, notice in Matthew 6:25 to 34 Jesus does not mention the word poor. He did not say, “Therefore I tell you poor people, do not worry about your life…”. Why? Six times in the nine verses Jesus uses the word worry. Jesus was addressing the basic needs of life of which for many of those rich and poor who were listening to His teaching were worried or had anxiety about these things. It was something that they were continually thinking about and their minds were not at ease.
I do not think any one of us can really classify ourselves as poor. According to Google, poor is lacking sufficient money to live at a standard considered comfortable or normal in a society where one lives. And this is where many Christian’s have their problem, by who’s standard and definition are Christians trying or wanting to live by? And when this is not achieved in their minds, many become worried.
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, poor is defined as 100 percent of the poverty level. For 2020, a family of four making less than $26,200 a year is considered at the federal poverty level poor. A family of two is considered poor if they have an income of less than $17,240 a year. There are not too many people who have these statistics memorized but yet are we allowing things like the official U.S. federal government numbers determine if we are poor or not? If you are worried, you need to identify what is it that you are allowing to cause worry in you. We all need to be careful what we are allowing to influence and even to establish our standard for life for what is considered normal.
When a Christian, whether in need or not, is worried about the basic things needed for life, it is an indication that Christ is not in the place in their relationship and lives where He should be. They have not yet “learned the secret of being content in any and every situation”. Jesus’ position and influence in our lives does not change because of the situation we are confronting. We all need to learn to trust Him and His Word, if not it will be replaced by worry. Worry is an indication of the absence of the peace and contentment we should have because we know who Christ is in our lives.
The apostle Paul expressed this fact very clearly writing to the Philippian Christians in Philippians 4:10-13. 10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. It is important to note that the contentment that Paul had was not natural or even a supernatural blessing. Twice Paul says, “I have learned”, to be content “in any and every situation”, contentment is a learned characteristic.
When a Christian is worried about the needs of life, their focus is not on who God is in their life. What they are worrying about has become bigger than who God says He is and what He can do. Worrying preoccupies our thoughts, influences our emotions and keeps us from not being who God has created us to be in Christ. Worrying also keeps us from doing those things which should be a priority in our relationship with Him. Jesus made this very clear in verses 30 to 33, note what is highlighted of how Jesus puts the worrier’s focus back to God.
30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
The commentator Warren Wiersbe makes this comment about what Jesus said concerning our focus on God in our lives and worry. “Three words in this section point the way to victory over worry – (1) faith (Matthew 6:30), trusting God to meet our needs; (2) Father (Matthew 6:32), knowing He cares for His children; and (3) first (Matthew 6:33), putting God’s will first in our lives so that He might be glorified. If we have faith in our Father and put Him first, He will meet our needs.”
In verse 33 Jesus sets the priorities in correct order in the worrier’s life. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
If you have the tendency to worry, have you ever asked Jesus what are God’s kingdom and his righteousness that we are to seek after? And what should that look like in my life?
Pastor John
