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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)

I came across an article on worry by Christian author and Pastor Paul David Tripp. The following are excerpts from his essay entitled Thinking Biblically About Worry.

“Worry—it really is everywhere. Perhaps it is the one experience that all of us have in common. What about you? How much is worry of some kind a regular part of your daily thought life? How much does worry shape what you do and what you don’t do? How does worry interact with the faith that you hold dear? Could it be that worry is a greater influence in your life than you have typically considered it to be?”

“Maybe worry is one of the dirty secrets of the church. Perhaps it renders us timid, passive, and doubtful when our theology tells us we have every reason to be courageous, active, and confident. Could it be that many of us live with a huge gap between the theological confidence that we celebrate on Sunday and the street-level fear, worry, and anxiety that accompanies us the rest of the week? Why do so many of us worry so much? Why do we not experience the rest that the gospel is meant to give us? Why do we have sleepless nights, nervous stomachs, and fretful days? Why does worry so often enter our door?”

“Psalm 3 and 4 are morning and evening psalms, written when David was fleeing for his life and from those who would take his throne. You know the back story. It was David’s son Absalom who was out after his throne. He had already won the hearts of the people of Israel, and now he was after his father’s kingdom. David knew what this was about. This was a monarchy: for a son to permanently take his father’s throne, the father would have to die. So, David flees for his life with a small band of loyal men and is hiding in a cave. Perhaps there is no more heart-wrenching story in Scripture: sin ripping a family apart, sin resulting in sedition and possibly death. In this story, you’re seeing the fallen world at it worst. But in the middle of it all, David isn’t paralyzed by panic. He isn’t driven by worry. He isn’t captivated by the “what ifs.” No, David is remarkably restful. Look at what he writes from the cave: “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Ps. 4:8). David is experiencing the full weight of the disappointment and danger of life in this fallen world, but he is not riddled with anxiety. His heart is at rest and his body is able to sleep, even in the middle of what would break the heart of any father.”

“David’s story and David’s psalm confront us with something important. It is what we will be unpacking for the rest of this article. Here it is: The difficulties of life in this fallen world are the occasion of our worry, but not the cause. To understand the cause, you have to look deeper. David was in a circumstance that could be the occasion for much worry, yet he was not fearful or anxious. His rest points us to where help for our worry can be found. Worry is not caused by what exists outside of us. No, worry is caused by what is going on inside of us.”

What is going on inside us? That is what Pastor Tripp will explain in our next installment of His Word Today. I trust you will make an effort to join us.

Soli deo Gloria!

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!

²⁸ “And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹ yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰ But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:28-30 ESV)

Having addressed the issue of anxiety over food and length of life, Jesus then spoke about anxiety over clothing. Clothing dominates many people’s thinking.

“I don’t design clothes. I design dreams.” —Ralph Lauren

“I want people to see the dress, but focus on the woman.” —Vera Wang

“Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life.” —Bill Cunningham

“I like my money right where I can see it…hanging in my closet.” —Carrie Bradshaw

Good clothing has always been a part of who I am as an individual. Perhaps it is because my family name is associated with the clothing industry. It may also be because my grandfather was an excellent tailor. It was my dad who taught me the importance of investing in a well-made suit.

Like anything else in life, clothing can become an idol. In Jesus’ day, clothing may have been less about fashion and more about daily survival. Either way, Jesus warned all believers in Christ to pay more attention to God’s provision and protection that our proliferation of pants, tops and shoes.

Jesus said Consider. To consider (καταμανθάνω katamanthanō)  is an active command to observe and to learn. Jesus instructed us to observe the lilies and the grass of the fields. Using this object lesson, Jesus referred to the flowers and grass a new way.

In the Old Testament, the flowers and the grass illustrated the brevity of life (Psalm 37:1-2; 103:15-16; Isaiah 40:6-8). However, Jesus taught that the flowers and grass reflect the care and concern of Almighty God upon His creation.

“If God lavishes such care on lilies, which bloom only for a few days, and on animals, which live a few years, then how much more will He care for us,” explains commentator Daniel M. Doriani.

To be anxious about what we wear, whatever style you may prefer, is immature. It is being an individual who exhibits little faith, trust, commitment, dependence and worship of God.  

“Faith is, for Matthew, a very practical reliance on the care and power of the Father and of Jesus (Matt. 8:8-10; 9:1-2, 21-22, 28-29),” states commentator R. T. France. “Anxiety is therefore the opposite, and is ruled out for the disciple.”  

Therefore, as with food and the length of life, the Lord cautions us to not be anxious about clothing. Finally, “When in doubt, wear red.” —Bill Blass

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

²⁷ “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? (Matthew 6:27 (ESV)

Many people spend hours of their day worrying. They are consumed by the anxiety of what could, might, and perhaps will happen, or not happen, in their lives; or in the lives of others. They worry about their health, their kids, money, the government, society, and a countless list of other issues.

Worrying is a never ending downward cycle of ineffective living. Why? It is because nothing is accomplished by anxiety. Jesus said, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? The obvious answer to this rhetorical question is a resolute no. Worrying accomplishes nothing.

The Greek text reads this way. “And who among you by being anxious is able to add one hour to his life span?” The phrase life span (ἡλικία; helikia) can not only refer to a period of time, as it does here, but also maturity of age (John 9:21-23) and the measurement of length or height; eighteen inches (Luke 2:52; 12:25; 19:3; Eph. 4:13).

“The word ἡλικιαν [hēlikian] is used either of height (stature) or length of life (age). Either makes good sense here, though probably “stature” suits the context best. Certainly anxiety will not help either kind of growth, but rather hinder by auto-intoxication if nothing more. This is no plea for idleness, for even the birds are diligent and the flowers grow,” explains Greek scholar A.T. Robertson.

“The point is that worry cannot accomplish even a little thing. Since it would be a rather large thing to add eighteen inches of height, Jesus must mean that we cannot add an hour to our life. Indeed, some say, the stress of worry may cost us a few hours of life. But certainly, worry, by itself, cannot lengthen our life span. Therefore, we should commit our energies to places where they can make a difference, by seeking first the kingdom of God,” states commentator Daniel M. Doriani.

“Some of us are more prone to anxiety than others. Yet as we read in today’s passage, persistent worry is not our calling as Christians. We need not be anxious about tomorrow if we are serving Jesus, for while we may not get all of our wants, He will certainly give us all of our needs. If you are struggling with anxiety this day, take your eyes off yourself and do a good deed for another person. Then, ask God to help you learn how to trust in Him confidently,” concludes Dr. R. C. Sproul.

Soli deo Gloria!

²⁶ “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷ And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Matthew 6:26-27 ESV)

“At one level, worry is simply a human folly, roughly on the order of eating or drinking in excess, or staying up too late at night. Like over indulgence, worry is a self-destructive state we think we should be able to control,” explains commentator Daniel M Doriani.

In addressing the subject of worry, Jesus illustrated His previous admonition to not be anxious, found in Matthew 6:25, by commanding His listeners to look at the birds of the air.

Jesus pointed to an undeniable truth. Birds neither sow nor reap like a farmer. They neither gather grain into barns. They do not do anything that provides them food or shelter. Therefore, how do they survive?

Jesus’ answer is succinct. He said, “your heavenly Father feeds them.” How profound and how observably evident. Each time we see a bird plucking the ground or sitting in an abundant fruit tree, we should acknowledge God the Father’s providential care for them. At the same time, God is reminding each of us of His providential care on our behalf.

Jesus then posed this rhetorical question; to His audience then and now. He asked, “Are you not of more value than they?” The obvious answer is yes, we are. Jesus argued from the lesser to the greater. God will certainly care for us as He cares for the birds.

“The whole earth bears witness to God’s love, if we let faith guide our sight. Birds work hard at times, but they put forth no properly organized effort. They are not farmers.  They neither sow nor harvest not store food, yet they avoid starvation. Like birds, we enjoy God’s providence. Yet we are more valuable than birds. Confident of his providence, we should seek him and his kingdom,” adds Doriani.

Jesus then concluded this section with this caveat. He said, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” The answer is obvious; no one.

Take time today to list, mentally or otherwise, how faithfully God provides for your needs. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25 (ESV)

In the immediate aftermath of teaching His disciples, among others, about not treasuring earthly treasures, Jesus addressed the subject of anxiety. Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. Two of the most common objects of worry for people has always been health and wealth; or the lack thereof.

“Having told us not to store up earthly treasures (Matt. 6:19–24), in today’s passage Jesus anticipates an objection to His teaching. Sure, some may think, it is easy to tell us not to pursue earthly treasures, but we need money and other goods to meet our needs. Will we not worry if we do not go after such treasures? After all, how will we afford to eat, buy clothes, and so on without money,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.

Jesus invoked His own authority when He declared, “Therefore I tell you.” He then said, “Do not be anxious about your life.” The phrase do not be anxious (μεριμνάω; merimnao) is a present active imperative command from the Lord. Therefore, it is a command that we must obey. It means to not be concerned.

About what are believers in Christ to not be concerned? Jesus said to not be concerned about your life. Life (ψυχή; psyche) refers to the intellect, emotions and will of an individual. Jesus taught that we should not be worried in our thinking, feelings and decisions.

Jesus then spoke about what people normally think, feel and choose with anxiety. It involves what we will eat, drink, and what clothing we will wear. Things have not changed in 2,000 years.

Jesus taught that our thoughts, emotions and decision should not be driven by worry about what we will eat, drink and wear. He concluded that life should be more than the food we consume and the clothes we wear.

“Our Savior’s answer to this unstated problem is simple: “Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on” (v. 25a). In the examples that follow, Jesus shows us why we need not fret about such things. But before we get into these reasons, note that Christ is not here commending a lackadaisical approach to life in which we expect everything to fall into our laps. Nor does His teaching release us from the duty to feed our families. Scripture is clear that we should be industrious, just like the ants (Prov. 6:6–11), and that anyone who does not provide for his family is worse than the unbeliever who does (1 Tim. 5:8). Even so, toiling away out of fear for the future is not the same thing as God-glorifying labor,” concludes Dr. Sproul.  

Obedience to Jesus’ command will be followed by logical reasons for such obedience. I encourage you to read Matthew 6:26-34. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!   

²⁴ “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24 (ESV)

The gospel song Gotta Serve Somebody was written by Bob Dylan and appears on The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan tribute album. It was one of several compositions written by Dylan from 1979-1981. The song’s chorus is as follows.

But you’re going to have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re going to have to serve somebody.
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re going to have to serve somebody.

Dylan lyrics echo Jesus Christ’s teaching in His Sermon On The Mount that is contained in today’s text. Jesus emphatically stated that “No one can serve two masters.”

The phrase No one (οὐδείς; oudeis) is a universal negative statement. It refers to a particular class of people. In this case, everybody. No one can (δύναμαι; dynamai) means that no one is able, or has the ability, to do something. What is it that no one can do?

No one can serve two masters. The word master (κύριος; kyrios) refers to a lord, owner or ruler. It means an individual who owns an estate and the slaves who work the estate. There is no feasible way possible for a slave belonging to one owner to serve another owner. It cannot happen.

Jesus explained that in seeking to serve and please two masters that several results are bound to occur. First, the slave will either love the one or hate the other. Second, the slave will be devoted (ἀντέχω; antecho) or cling to one and despise (καταφρονέω; kataphroneo) or look down on and scorn the other.

Jesus then brought the doctrine to a particular application; given the historical context of His audience, which included the Pharisees. It is impossible to serve and be loyal to the Lord while at the same time seeking to serve and be loyal to someone, or something else. In this particular context, the other object of servitude was money.

“His (Jesus’) point is that we must serve the Father alone, Christ tells us we “cannot serve God and money” (v. 24). If we try to follow both, we can do justice to neither. In fact, if we try to serve both, we are not serving God at all,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.   

Are you conflicted in trying to serve two masters? How long have you tried? Resolve today, and in the days to come, to completely commit to serve the Lord preeminently. When doing so, everything else in life is in its proper place and priority.

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!   

²² “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, ²³ but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matthew 6:22–23 (ESV)

The metaphor Jesus used of the eye and the body builds upon the previous context of Matthew 6:19-21. Observantly, Jesus used several plays on words to convey a deep meaning and understanding concerning the subject of treasuring treasures.  

The eye provides an individual vision in which to see where to go and what objects to avoid. Therefore, the eye provides health and well-being for the entire physical body.

However, if an individual’s vision is bad, or there is blindness, it also affects the entire body. In the ancient world, blindness often resulted in begging as the only means of financial support or income if an individual had no family.  

“The Pharisees had this problem because their spiritual eyes were diseased (Matt. 6:22). With their eyes they were coveting money and wealth. Thus they were in spiritual darkness. They were slaves to the master of greed, and their desire for money was so great they were failing in their service to their true Master, God,” explains Dr. John Walvoord.

“Our Savior’s warning against the love of money brackets His teaching on good eyes and bad ones (Matt. 6:22–23). This shows us that an unhealthy eye, one full of darkness, is a metaphor for an attitude of greed and covetousness. In fact, in Jesus’ day, the rabbis described those who love money more than God as those with bad eyes. A healthy eye would then refer to one who is generous with his resources. Such persons reflect the Lord’s own generosity and have light. By the Holy Spirit they see rightly and follow the straight path of righteousness,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.

How is your spiritual vision today? What issues of life threaten to blur or darken your vision of the Lord’s glory? Have your vision checked by the Word of God. Scripture provides a prescription for healthy and clear eyes.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace.

Soli deo Gloria!