Reflection from my reading in Matt 6:19-34  

Jesus gives us some solid advice about worry.

The Heart of the Matter

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Matthew 6:19–21 

The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart. Where your money goes, your heart follows. If we are spending all of our money on this life, it will be wasted. The more we invest in eternity the better. As Randy Alcorn said in his book The Tresure Principle,

“You can’t take it with you, but you can send it on ahead.” – Randy Alcorn

God or Money?

“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 

Where are you looking for security? Where are you looking for happiness? What are you spending more emotional energy on? God or money? You can’t live for both. Here’s a hint, choose God.

Don’t Worry, Trust God

 “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 

Don’t waste time worrying about money, clothes, and food. God will take care of you. God feeds the birds and care for the wildflowers. How much more will God take care of you?!

“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 6:30 

Worry is the result of a lack of faith. When we worry, we are basically saying, “God I don’t really trust you.” The opposite of worry is trust in God’s provision.

Like a Rocking Chair

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

Not only does worry not add time to your life, you end up missing out on so many joyful moments when you are wasting your time worrying. Worry is like a rocking chair, you move but you don’t go anywhere. I’ve never met anyone on their death bed say, “man I wish I spent more time worrying!”

Seek The Kingdom First

^“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 

We should be so busy doing the right things that we don’t have time to worry about trivial matters. When living righteously and working for the advancement of God’s kingdom is the priority, we are on God’s team and will receive God’s provision.

One Day At A Time

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.  Matthew 6:34 

Live in the moment, trust God, seek God’s kingdom first and face life’s challenges one day at a time, as you are meant to.