“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:31-34
If nature teaches that God provides for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field, why worry? Furthermore, He reminds us that God already knows we need so-called life essentials. Why make secondary matters our first priority? Make the things of the kingdom first priority, He says, and secondary priorities will be taken care of.
We cannot disagree with Jesus’ important teaching, but practicing what He preaches is anything but easy. The secondary issues are ever before us; at least three times a day. Important as the things of the kingdom are, they do not shout for our attention as material needs do. The urgent easily takes priority over the important.
Should we choose to effortlessly sit back and let God provide, we miss the truth of Jesus’ teaching. It is not contradictory that the apostle Paul teaches, “For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either” 2 Thessalonians 3:10. Ceasing from worry is not equated with ceasing from work. Our work ethic should exceed our worry quotient.
First things first. A kingdom priority directs, not neglects, our work ethic. A kingdom focus directs us to work not merely for our own needs, but for the needs of others. “He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need” Ephesians 4:28.
A summary of Jesus’ teaching can be stated with this question: Why worry when you can work for the kingdom cause? Due diligence in our efforts, with a kingdom focus, allows us to be productive so that others are blessed. That’s win-win for everyone.
©Steve Taylor, 2022 --Used by permission
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