Daily Word

Wrong priority leads to worry | Matthew 6:25-27

25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

Matthew 6:25-27 (NLT)

Research Results

Research has shown that for a typical adult in a 1st-world country with average to above average education, 96.1% of what they worry about never happens. What’s the scientific logical conclusion? We should worry! I’ll let that think for a second.

Putting it together

Starting in verse 19, Jesus has been teaching about proper priorities. When we have our focus on earthly things rather than heavenly things, we show that our heart is led astray. We serve money (or the things we can buy with money) rather than God. Even if we don’t worship and serve these other things, if our focus is wrong, we will worry and not trust God.

Worry

Contrary to the fake news above, we should not worry. Not only does worrying accomplish no good thing it cause all kinds of medical problems. More importantly, it displays that in our heart we don’t trust God. Jesus is very “in your face” about this and provides two examples from nature: Food and clothing. But they represent the cares of life in general. First He talks about food; tomorrow, clothing.

Let’s eat

“Good food, good meat, good God, let’s eat!”? Have you heard the simple (irreverent) meal prayer? Everyone needs to eat and drink. Of course. As well, God knows that we need these things. Birds don’t worry about what they will eat. Why do we? Does that mean we shouldn’t plant and harvest; we shouldn’t go to work? Should we just sit in a monastery and pray for food? Would that be wise or responsible? 

Jesus isn’t just talking to wealthy folks today who don’t really worry about these things, but to those who often had to scratch a living together and had just enough, hopefully, for the next few meals. So He’s not just talking about worrying about food, but the other things in daily life, even all of life. So the message is to us: Don’t worry.

Who are we?

Jesus doesn’t just tell us what not to do, He gives us reasons and here reminds us of who we are. We are His children, His special creation. Even though we are sinners, He dearly loves us and cares for us. Check out this list of “Who am I in Christ”.

RЯeflection

  • We should hearken back to the be-attitudes in chapter 5, especially Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” Don’t waste your time worrying about food (or anything). Rather, hunger for God. Set our priority on Heaven and heavenly things.
Dog worrying. Image from Pxfuel.com

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