Today’s Reading: Matthew 6:25-26, 28-30 (HCSB)
This is why I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they?
And why do you worry about clothes? Learn how the wildflowers of the field grow: they don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these! If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t He do much more for you…
Today’s Question: How would you rate the supply in your cupboard and/or your closet: too little, too much, or just right?
Today’s Commentary:
Why does it seem that the people who are most concerned with their diet and their clothing are those who are the most fit and have the most appropriate attire. On the rare occasions that I vacation at a beach, I am suddenly in favor of a few new laws. I am not a big fan of government intrusion, but some swimwear ought not be available for public viewing and some people ought not be seen trying to squeeze into their undersized garments.
But we are obsessed as a society with clothing and food. So Jesus turns our attention to the obvious. God cares more for people than He does plants or animals. These creatures do not worry about what to eat or what to wear. God provides for them as He wills. After providing a clear visual, Jesus asks His worry-prone disciples, “won’t [God] do much more for you…?”
The obvious answer is a resounding “Yes.” God provides for His children in a greater way than He provides for the rest of His creation. Jesus points to the value that God places upon human life: “Aren’t you worth more than they?” To God, our lives are sacred, set apart for His glory.
So what is our message to the world when Christians display a great concern over what goes into our mouths or onto our bodies? Does God care? On one hand, God cares enough to provide. On the other hand, God did not promise to provide us individually with enough clothing to outfit an entire village in Africa or the best that Saks 5th Avenue offers.
In fact, our Lord commands us to be more concerned with others who lack the basic necessities of life. If we are worried about our own desires (leading to gluttony or materialism), then we do so at the neglect of those around us that have a genuine need. We are called to look to others first. We should fret at the words of Christ when He stated, “Depart from Me…For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat…I was naked and you did not cloth me… you didn’t take care of me. Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me either. And they will go away unto eternal punishment…” (See Matthew 25:31-46)
A life that is focused on loving God and caring for others is absent of worry’s despair. Does a worry-free life sound appealing? This state of mind is only offered to those who have a relationship with Jesus. We can only remain in this state when we consciously fix our eyes on Him. Maybe it is time to take an inventory of our cupboard and our closet. Is it clear that we are more concerned with our own needs or the needs of others?
“Follow One, Lead Others” Principle #42: Those following Jesus will focus more on meeting the needs of others and allowing God to provide the disciple’s needs.
Today’s Prayer Point: In your prayer time today, allow God to reveal to you people what you can help with physical and spiritual needs.
Shepherding Well 