31 “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:31–34 (ESV)
England Prime Minister Winston Churchill (1874-1965) once stated, “The terrible Ifs accumulate.” He identified the “terrible Ifs” to provide his commanders with warning signs that indicated potential failure.
Jesus continued His discourse on anxiety with a series of recurring “terrible what’s.” He cautioned His listeners to not say, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ This is what pagans focus upon. He encouraged them to remember that their heavenly Father knew full well that they needed all of these things.
Rather, Jesus commanded His disciples to presently and actively seek first the kingdom of God. To seek (ζητέω; zeteo) means to desire and to obtain. Far greater than food, drink and clothing is God’s rule and reign in our lives as believers in Christ. God’s reign in the believer’s life is characterized by righteousness; both positionally and practically.
“Far from compounding our anxiety, making God’s kingdom the center of our lives frees us from anxiety. If we seek this kingdom first, He will meet all our needs (v. 33). Those who serve Him wholeheartedly and live out the ethics of God’s kingdom will share what they have (5:42; 6:1–4), and thereby our Father will meet our needs through our efforts and the generosity of others. We need not worry about tomorrow, for God always takes care of His own (Ps. 37:25),” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
Believers in Christ are to pursue Him. Everything else in life is held in its proper priority when we seek first Christ in all we say, feel and do. Worry and anxiety is inconsistent with this goal. God will meet all our needs (Phil. 4:19-20).
“Rather than being like the pagans who are concerned about physical needs, the Lord’s disciples should be concerned about the things of God, His kingdom and His righteousness. Then all these needs will be supplied in God’s timing. This is the life of daily faith. It does no good to worry—do not worry occurs three times (vv. 25, 31, 34; cf. vv. 27–28)—or be concerned about tomorrow for there are sufficient matters to attend to each day. Worrying shows that one has “little faith” in what God can do (v. 30; cf. you of little faith in 8:26; 14:31; 16:8). As a disciple cares each day for the things God has trusted to him, God, his heavenly Father (6:26, 32), cares for his daily needs,” states Dr. John Walvoord.
Have a worry free day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 