June 9: Don't worry!

Therefore do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?”  For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.   (Matthew 6:31-33 — New King James Version)

Speaking to His followers, the Lord Jesus tells them not to worry about having enough food, drink, or clothing. Gentiles (unbelievers) spend their time worrying about those things, but God’s people should not because God already knows what we need. No good parent would want his/her children to be worried about what they were going to eat, or where they were going to sleep. We provide for them and make it clear that whenever they need something they can come to us and ask. In the same way — only on a bigger scale — God, as a Father, will provide for His children.

This is an important scripture. It teaches that people of faith should have what they need in life. If you are a follower of Jesus, you are promised food, clothing, a place to live, a job, and whatever else you need. God takes care of His children. When they are poor and unemployed, He is not honored. Poverty is a curse; it is not spiritual. Except when it is a part of being persecuted for our faith in Jesus, it is not God's will for His people. Poverty, like disease and other evils, is something we need to fight against and overcome.

The main point of this passage is priorities. What’s most important? Jesus is teaching His disciples that faith in God, doing His will, and taking hold of our salvation is much more important than the other things of life. If we have God, we will have everything else we need. If we don’t have God, even what we have can be taken away from us at any moment. Many people are physically rich but spiritually poor, and don’t even realize what deep trouble they are in. — Make sure His kingdom and righteousness come first.