Matthew 6:25-34

DAY 50
Date: 5-4-25

Do Not Worry – Trust God

* Everything with an asterisk and is italicized and purple is my own added words and thoughts and are not part of the actual verse or quote. 

Pray

Read scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (NIV 1984)

Review:
Last week we talked about the eyes being the lamp of the body, and making choices of what we look at, choices of what we focus on. Do we choose the things of God – spiritual things? Or the things of this world – material things. 

We had the same rephrased questions in the section before that: What do you TREASURE?

This whole section, Matthew 6:19-34, is challenging us to look into our hearts, and be honest about what we love, knowing that what we love, we will be serving. 

You can’t be divided in your love for God. 

As last’s weeks verse says, “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve both God and Money (possessions).” Matthew 6:24 (NIV 1984)

Like Bob Dylan once said, “You’re gonna have to serve somebody.”

So, we have before us an important choice. Who will we choose to serve?

Today’s verses continue that theme and that challenge. 
Do you trust God? Or are you worried about the material things of this life and world?
You can’t do both. You can’t be divided. You can’t chase two rabbits, or they will both get away.
You can’t focus on both sides of the coin. You have to choose. 

Warning: If you choose the material side of the coin, if you choose to focus on the worldly side of life, you will loose God. This may sound harsh, but it is true. 
HOWEVER: If you choose God, not only do you get God, but, through Him, you get all your true needs met as well. 

1 John 2:15-17 says,  “15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world–the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does–comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man (or women) who does the will of God lives forever.” (NIV 1984)

BRIEF OVERVIEW of PASSAGE:

Do not worry.

Q: What, specifically, does it say not to worry about?

A: Three things:

1. your life,
2. what you will eat or drink; 
3. or about your body, what you will wear.

Q: Do you thatthis list is exhaustive? What else might be included?

If God takes care of the birds (and He does), do you BELIEVE that He can – and will – take care of you as well?

Now let’s talk about birds for a bit.

(But first a disclaimer about pre-conceived notions and speculation, opinions, strong opinions and facts – I have said all this a few times already, but it bears repeating)

Wendy and I are birders – amateur birders. We love watching and feeding birds. There is so much to learn from watching nature in general, but, for us, especially birds! We have had many, many, many bird feeders, bird houses and bird baths over the years. And binoculars to watch it all!

So – some interesting facts – observations really – and birds and about life from watching birds!. These are just our opinions based on our very unscientific observations and experiences. 

1. Be who God made you to be. Don’t try to be a dog or a bear tree or even another kind of bird. It will never work. If you are a bird, Be a Bird. Be the exact kind of bird God made you to be. Lesson: Be who God made you to be.
2. Learn to fly by trusting in what God made you to be.
3. Get up in the morning and
   1. Sing. First thing is singing..
   2. Then, go to work
      1. Get your food
      2. build your nest 
      3. feed your young
      4. All the while singing
4. Learn how the wind works (in reference to the Holy Spirit, Jesus said – “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8, NIV)
5. Trust in God’s promises
   1. He gives food to every creature.  (Psalm 136:25, NIV)
   2. 15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food a the proper time. 16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. (Psalm 145:15-16)
   3. And from our passage today – “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.” 6:26
   4. Now let’s look at Genesis 1:29-30 (NIV 1984)  This is not just for the birds, but for us as well. “29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground–everything that has the breath of life in it–I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.”

Now let’s talk about the word “feed.” 

Q: What does “God feeds the birds” mean? 
Does it mean that he opens up their mouth and puts the food in for them? No.

I think it means that He gives them – and does not withhold – their food by making it freely available to them. 

But they do have to get up in the morning and go get it. This is an important aspect of Christianity and our faith.

Let me illustrate by looking at the Exodus. In the desert, the Israelites were complaining (something birds NEVER do)  about food, and in response God rained down Manna from Heaven (Exodus 16). He had freely provided food for them.

Just as God does for the birds, in giving them life and breath and energy and the ability AND the availability to find food, SO HE DOES FOR MAN. He provides the food for ALL living creatures. BUT they have to actually go out and do the work. The birds have to get up and go look for food. So did the Israelites in the desert during the Exodus. He feeds them all by giving them everything they need, but he does not actually do it for them. They have to go out and do it. The same is true for us today.

Our book says, (Holman Commentary) ‘Jesus was not advocating waiting lazily for God’s provision, but avoiding anxiety as we take responsibility for obtaining it.”

Paul elaborates on the main point of not worrying. He says in Philippians 4:5-6, Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV 1984) 6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

We looked at Psalm 136:25, where it says that God “gives food to every creature.”

Now let’s look at the rest of Psalm 136
God is good.
He does great wonders.
He made the heavens.
He spread out the earth upon the waters.
He made the great lights.

And on and on and on. 

And finally verse 25 says, He gives food to every creature.

And it is the same with clothing and all our other true needs. 

Q:  So – what is the difference between us and birds?

Q:  What if birds started acting like us? (i.e. In unbelief? Or, lacking in trust in God promises? Or trying to be something we were not created to be?)

Thought #1: Somehow, I don’t think birds ever get up in the morning and starting arguing with God about who they are, or what kind of bird they are, or what’s on the menu today, or about being bored with ‘my routine” or dissatisfied with my food, my clothes, or my life. Or negotiating with God for something different or complaining to God for something better (I.e. the Israelites in the desert).

Thought #2: Just as He has done with all the birds and all the animals and all the fish in the sea, He tells us CLEARLY, and exactly, where the true treasure is and how to get it. It is all spelled out clearly in His Word!

The challenge: 

Will we look to God for our needs? Will we trust Him, even if it gets hard – and sometimes it will! 

Or will we be like the pagans, chasing after the things of this material world, trying to to take care of ourselves in our own strength. 

And I think that is the difference. Will we work hard for what we need in our own strength? Or will we work hard and diligently and prudently in the Lord’s strength. THAT is, I think the difference. This passage is NOT telling us not to work. Birds work for their food. I think it is telling us to work, but TRUSTING IN THE LORD, AND IN HIS STRENGTH for the outcome, not trusting in ourselves for the outcome. 

Put God first in EVERYTHING.
TRUST God in EVERYTHING.
LOOK (with good, spiritually healthy eyes) for ALL our needs.
Look to Him, and you will SEE the salvation of the Lord. 

The MAIN POINT

SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS!!

APPLICATION – PTA

1. Pray  (Phi 4:5-6)
2. Trust.  (Pro. 3:5-6)
3. Act. (Phi 4:9)

Pray
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV 1984) 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Trust
Proverbs 3:5-10 (NIV 1984) 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 THEN your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Act
Philippians 4:9 (NIV 1984) 9 “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” 

CONCLUSION: 

Matthew 6:33-34 (NIV 1984) 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Our book says, (Holman Commentary) “The New Testament makes it clear that the righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:22-24). That is the only way we may enter into God’s kingdom.“

The best illustration of this also comes from scripture in Matthew 14:22-33.
I would suggest to read the whole section, but here is the main point verse:

29 “Come,” he said. “Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”” Matthew 14:29-30 (NIV 1984)

We need to always keep our eyes (last weeks verse!) on Jesus (this is good, healthy eyes), and NOT on the waves and the storms and the blowing winds of this life (bad, unhealthy eyes!)

Seeking His kingdom and His righteousness means looking for it!

Keep an eye out for it. Always. Diligently and expectantly. 

You WILL FIND what you seek. 

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Next week:

Matthew 7:1-6

Judging Others

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RELAVANT VERSES

Genesis 1:29-30 (NIV 1984) 29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground–everything that has the breath of life in it–I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.

Exodus 16:3-4 (NIV 1984) 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the LORD’S hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”

4 Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.

1 John 2:15-17 (NIV 1984) 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world–the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does–comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

Psalm 136 (the whole thing!)

Psalms 145:13b-20 (NIV 1984) The LORD is faithful to all his promises
and loving toward all he has made.
14 The LORD upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.
16 You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and loving toward all he has made.
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
20 The LORD watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV 1984) 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 3:5-10 (NIV 1984) 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Philippians 4:9 (NIV 1984) 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Matthew 16:24-26 (NIV 1984) 24 “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Mark 4:1-20 (NIV 1984) (ESPECIALLY vs 7 & 18-19!) 1 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. 2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: 3 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times.”
9 Then Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12 so that,“ ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’” 13 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? 14 The farmer sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop–thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.”

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Notes:

* Everything with an asterisk and is italicized and purple is my own added words and thoughts and are not part of the actual verse or quote.