Matthew 6:25–34

Worry and how to avoid it

God is a ruler who has all authority and power. He loves and looks after each of his disciples. Worries about the future should not stop us trusting God.

In Matthew 6:19–24, Jesus spoke about a danger. It is bad for us when we put things before God. Attitudes like this come from trust that is not complete. This does not mean that real disciples should never make plans. Birds work hard. They prepare their nests (Matthew 6:26). The Bible teaches that we should do both of these things. We should work hard and we should make plans. (Read Proverbs 6:6; 2 Corinthians 12:14; 1 Timothy 5:8.) Here, Jesus warns us about worry. It stops us from trusting God. Sometimes, it can fill a person’s thoughts all the time.

Jesus mentioned the necessities of life. They are food, drink and clothes. (Read Matthew 6:25.) Jesus knows that these things can cause worry. This is especially true in some societies or countries. There can be a serious lack of these things. There is a natural need to think about some things. Jesus does not forbid this. But he says that this must never become worry. Jesus gave several reasons:

• Life is more important than food. It is more important than clothes. (Read Matthew 6:25.) Jews often made a point in this way. Something that was less important would emphasise the thing that was more important. Jesus seemed to do that here. God has given us life. So, we do not need to worry about less important things.
• God looks after tiny birds. They do not need to get anxious (Matthew 6:26). So, surely, God looks after men and women too.
• Worry does not help in any way. We never achieve anything by it. (Read Matthew 6:27.)
• Think of a field that is full of flowers. Nothing is more beautiful. But they are not like this because they are anxious. It is because of God’s provision. God gives this beauty to a field. So, Jesus says, he will certainly provide for all his children’s needs. (Read Matthew 6:28–29.)

So, it is hard to understand why we worry. We worry when we do not trust God. (Read Matthew 6:30.) So, real disciples should never worry, even if other people worry. Real disciples should be confident in God. He knows everything that they need. They should use all their energy to live for God. Then, each disciple can live one day at a time.

Questions

• Is there something that worries you today? What can encourage you in this passage? Does it help when you do not worry about future days?
• Do some Christians tend to worry more? Someone may tell them that they do not have enough trust in God. Would that help them? How can you help each other in this matter?
• Think about this passage. What difference should a non-Christian see in a Christian?

Important truths

Some people say that a Christian should never need anything.

Some people give these verses a certain meaning. They say that real disciples should never have a lack of anything. Usually people say this in countries where most people are rich. People in other countries know that this is not true. So, think about how we should understand Jesus’ words.

In the OT, there is what is called ‘teaching of wisdom’. Proverbs is the most famous ‘book of wisdom’. The author spoke about ‘Wisdom’ as if it was a person. ‘Wisdom’ considered life. It decided things because of experience. But, these were not rules. Sometimes, people made them into rules. But, they found that this just did not succeed.

This happened with the men who comforted Job. They tried to explain Job’s experience. But they failed to do it. They thought that they knew the answer. He was suffering. So, he must have sinned. But, the book of Job shows that this was not true. Suffering is often the result of sin. But, it is not always like that.

Here, Jesus’ words are ‘wisdom’. They are generally true in experience. God’s children find that he does provide for their needs. He often does this in wonderful ways. But, it does not always happen like this. God’s people may suffer a lack. They may even die. But there is always a reason for it. God has a greater purpose to achieve through them. But, whatever happens, one thing is certain. We can trust God completely.