"Don’t worry and say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ That’s what those people who don’t know God are always thinking about. Don’t worry, because your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do." -- Matthew 6:31-33 ERV
One thing I think about concerning this passage and Matthew chapter 6 is that God has different ideas about what I need then I have. Yes, I need food and clothes but I also need a healthy 401k so I can enjoy my retirement. I need enough money to help my kids pay for college. I need cars that are reliable and one for each driver in my house. I need to take vacations for family bonding and to give my kids good experiences. Is this all included in "food, drink, and clothes"? (By the way, what about shelter? That seems like a necessity and Jesus does not even mention it.)
It seems like God is directing His words to poor people who literally live paycheck-to-paycheck. Maybe that is how the majority of the people of Jesus day lived. Or, maybe God is not concerned about our physical needs beyond food, drink, and clothes. Maybe shelter is not that important. Maybe 401ks, college, cars, good jobs, etc. are not important. Maybe my priorities are all mixed up.
Jesus ends this section by saying that our #1 priority, or "want", should be doing what He wants; seeking His kingdom. That is what is important.
Really, the main point Jesus is trying to make is that we need to trust God and let Him take care of our material needs. I have a goal for how much money I need for retirement. I have savings plans for college funds, a vacation fund, etc. Why? "That's just good planning. You are being a good steward of what God has given you." Okay but that should be secondary. How am I doing what God wants me to do? How am I wanting his Kingdom?
In the NIV version of Matthew 6, verse 33 is translated as "Seek FIRST His kingdom" and "[seek FIRST] His righteousness." God's kingdom, God's righteousness, what God wants comes before what I want. Everything else will be given to me but not necessarily in the way I want it.
Am I doing everything I can to serve God? Do I put His goals before my goals? Do I trust Him to take care of my needs. Do I love my wife as Christ loves the church? Do I teach my children God's word? Do I have a heart for the poor, orphans, and widows? Do I do good works so that people can praise God? Do I put the needs of others before my own?
For me, the answer is, "No.", not because I don't believe, but because I do not fully trust God. And it's not really that I don't trust God but that I don't want my material needs to take second place. That is my sinful nature - my "old man" - speaking. This is my struggle. I am selfish and self-centered. Jesus is calling me to a higher standard. He does not want 10% of me or 50% of me. He wants everything. As Oswald Chambers said, "My utmost for His highest".
Lord, I believe. Help thou my unbelief.
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