Matthew 6:24-34: a reflection

24“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon. 25Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they? 27“Which of you by being anxious, can add one moment to his lifespan? 28Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin, 29yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. 30But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won’t he much more clothe you, you of little faith? 31“Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ 32For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.

Jesus begins with a stark either-or: no one can serve two masters; you cannot serve both God and money. From there he moves to one of his most comforting teachings, a sustained call not to be anxious about the necessities of life, food, drink, clothing. Look at the birds, he says; they do not sow or reap, yet your heavenly Father feeds them, and you are worth far more than they. Consider the lilies; they do not toil, yet even Solomon in his glory was not clothed like one of them.

The heart of Jesus' argument is the Father's care. If God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and gone tomorrow, how much more will he clothe you? Anxiety, Jesus points out, adds nothing to our lives and reflects a small view of God's care. It is what those who do not know God chase after; but your Father knows exactly what you need. Instead of anxious striving, Jesus gives a different orientation: seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

This teaching speaks directly to the anxiety that grips so many of us about provision and the future. Jesus does not dismiss the reality of needs, but he redirects the heart: your Father knows what you need, so do not be consumed with worry over it. Seek first his kingdom, and trust him with the rest. And do not borrow tomorrow's troubles; each day has enough of its own. When anxiety about provision presses on you, look at the birds and the lilies, remember your Father's care, and seek his kingdom first, trusting him to provide.

Lord, you tell me not to be anxious about food, drink, or clothing, because my heavenly Father knows what I need and cares for me more than the birds and lilies he provides for. Free me from anxious striving over provision and the future. Help me to seek first your kingdom and righteousness, trusting you with the rest, and not to borrow tomorrow's worries. I rest in my Father's care. Amen.