Do Not Worry!
Worry is the sin of distrusting the promise and the providence of God, yet it is a sin that we as believers commit perhaps more frequently than any other. We often dignify worry by calling it by other names—concern, burden, a cross to bear—but Jesus said that worry is sinful. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses this important topic. Let us look at the heart of His message in Matthew 6:25-33.
Don’t worry because you are a servant of God and your welfare is His business, not yours.
Jesus begins His discourse with the words, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear.” The Greek word translated take no thought (translated “do not worry” in the NIV) literally means “to be drawn in different directions.” Worry pulls us apart. Instead of helping us live, anxiety only shortens our life (Matthew 6:27). “It is not work that kills men; it is worry.” (Henry Ward Beecher)
Note that the verse begins with the word “therefore.” Therefore links that verse to the previous one in which Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters. 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 both God and money.” As believers, God is our master. In biblical times, the master of a house had complete responsibility for the welfare of his servants. In the same way, our care is completely in the hands of God. It is a great comfort to know that “your Father knows what you need—before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8).
Don’t worry because your Master owns everything.
The Psalmist teaches us that “the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and all who live in it” (Psalm 24:1). Speaking of Christ, Paul says “all things were created by Him and for Him…and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16-17). Everything we have belongs to the Lord. Everything we will ever have actually belongs to the Lord.
Don’t worry because your Master will provide everything you will ever need.
Jesus illustrates God’s gracious provision by pointing to the goodness and faithfulness of the Creator. Since God feeds the birds of the air and even “clothes” the lilies of the field with a beauty and splendor surpassing even that of Solomon, how much more will He care for His children. He exclaims: “Are you not much more valuable than they?” (v. 26) Instead of focusing on what you may or may not have, you should trust in the promise that “God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
Don’t Worry because your Master has your eternal destiny in His hands.
God not only takes care of our material needs; He has prepared something far better for us. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (v. 33).
There are three words in this section that point the way to victory over worry.
(1) Faith – (v. 30) We must trust God to meet our needs.
(2) Father – (v. 32) We must believe that He is a loving father who cares for His children.
(3) First – (v. 33) We must put God’s will first in our lives.
If we have faith in our Father and put Him first,
He will meet our needs.