28 And why are you worried about clothing? Notice how the lilies of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin thread for cloth, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 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!
Matthew 6:28-30 (NASB)
1-2 punch
If Jesus’ example from the birds and food about the futility of worrying isn’t enough, He hit’s them with another example – flowers and clothing. As with a 1-2 punch, He hopes to, metaphorically, knock some sense into His listeners, us, about the futility of worrying.
Worry what you wear
Consider what you wear. Some people actually spend a lot of time on this matter. They want to look good in front of others, they want their clothes to match, they want the latest styles. We accumulate so many changes of clothes that we need extra closets and storage for them all. We hold onto them thinking someday we’ll wear them or they will come back in style. We’ve bought into the marketing campaign of gluttony and self-worship.
Beyond clothing
And Jesus is only using clothing (and food) as examples of the common things we worry about. Again, He is exhorting us to not worry but to trust God…in all things – including the basic necessities of life. For those in an affluent society like the US or Taiwan, it’s a call to not trust ourselves and our own abilities. Rather, we recognize that all we have is from Him – our abilities, our possessions, even the breath in our lungs.
Solomon comparison
For those not familiar with King Solomon of Israel, he was David’s son by Bathsheba and the wisest and richest man of his time. He led Israel to the height of their earthly prominence. He had everything intellectually and materially – more than any king on the earth (1 Kings 10:23). Surely he could be dressed better than any other person. Yet in God’s eyes, the flowers of the field were more beautiful to behold.
Worry or worship
So should we worry? Or should we choose to worship, to give thanks to the Heavenly Father for what He so generously provides? If we would shift our obsession with worry to worship, I know that our worries would dissipate. As we give thanks for all the ways God has provided, our trust will grow.
RЯeflection
- Count your worries (and clothing), name them one by one. And it will surprise you how much … you have and how much you worry. Make a decision to heed the instruction of our Lord and trust Him.
- Maybe you say worry is not your issue. Consider the smaller things in life that we worry about. For some of us, it’s being on time – worrying we will be late.
