SOTM 30—Anxious

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.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?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? 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?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” (Matthew 6:25-32).Comment“Therefore” (v.25) connects this passage to what Jesus had just said. He understands our need for reassurance that God will take care of us when we refuse to worship Mammon.Notice that food, drink, and clothing are all necessities—a point that will prove important as we explore tomorrow’s passage (6:33-34).Jesus utilizes three examples to get his point across about not worrying: birds, lifespan, and flowers.Note: anxiety isn’t a sin—it’s more of a symptom of failure to trust the Lord. Anxiety indicates a lack of faith (v.30).We are not to worry as the pagans do:Complaining about expenses—often while living beyond their means!Arguing about money—a major area of discussion in marriage, and a principal issue when couples divorce.Stinginess—giving less to the needy. Studies have shown that religious persons tend to be more generous.Taking one another to court for financial reasons—demanding their rights.Pagans not only worry about food, drink, and clothing—necessities. They also fret about luxury items and impressing others (see Ecc 4:4).Jesus calls us to be different! Do we trust him? Do we trust our heavenly father?Next: Kingdom