So what does God’s word tell us about this preoccupation many of us have with worrying?
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Matthew 6:25 (KJV)
"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? Matthew 6:25 (NIV)
The word translated is merimnao, mer-im-nah’-o; Greek; to be anxious about :- (be, have) care (-ful), take thought, worry.
God’s word tells us believers that we need not worry about our needs (basic necessities), about food and drink, about body and clothing.
The words “take no thought” mean do not worry; do not be anxious; do not be overly concerned and caring (cp. Phil. 4:6).
This advise is so needful to use that it is given three times (Matthew 6:25, 31, 34).
Jesus is not suggesting that a man not prepare for life—that he be lazy, shiftless, and thoughtless with a “don’t worry, be happy” attitude.
God does not honor slothfulness and lack of initiative, effort, and planning.
We are to look after our responsibilities (Proverbs 27:23; 2 Cor. 11:28; Phil. 2:20). We are to work in order to eat (2 Thes. 3:10). In fact, he is even to work extra in order to have enough to give to others (Ephes. 4:28).
We should be diligent in looking after our affairs and profession and in helping and giving to others.
Jesus warns us about:
1. Jesus is talking about being preoccupied with the material possessions of life.
Many fall into the trap of centering their mind and thoughts, energy and efforts on the necessities (needs) and luxuries (wants) of life. We are not to be(2 Tim. 2:4). We are not to “seek ye first” the things of the world, but to “seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” then God will insure we receive all these things (Matthew 6:33).
2. Jesus is talking about being so wrapped up in securing things that we become anxious, disturbed, and sleepless.
If we seek after the things of the world, it will keep us from walking in fullness.
Worry and anxiety can cause serious health problems ranging from sleepless nights and headaches to ulcers, high blood pressure, and heart attacks.
BE HEALTHY…DON’T WORRY.
3. Jesus is talking about being so consumed with getting that we think little of God.
Fear of not having enough and spending all of our time trying to get more and more causes disbelief.
A person who works to gain more and more is not able to ever take the time needed to truly know God. They never know God’s love and care, never learn that God looks after those who truly trust HIM.
4. Jesus is talking about being so entangled with the affairs of this earth that we forget eternity.
We just forget to take care of our lives and bodies beyond this life (Luke 12:20; Ps 49:10-20; 2 Tim. 2:4).
The directive is clear, we are not to worry, but to be consumed with God and people, not things.
There are two kinds of food, drink, clothes, and homes. There are...
·the necessary items (basic needs)
·the extravagant or luxury items that lead to self-indulgence (wants)
Living sumptuously and extravagantly, at ease and in luxury in the midst of a needy and starving world is sin. We are not to be entangled in the affairs of material things (2 Tim. 2:4).
Food, clothing, and shelter are necessities of life. It is not wrong to work for these, or to make them secure for our future.
What is wrong is:
1) Ignoring and neglecting God while we work.
2) Working day and night and then worrying over how to keep what we have and how to make more and more.
3) Never being satisfied with the necessities, coveting to have more and more, to have bigger and better, to have as large and as good as the next person.
4) Neglecting the needs of others who have greater needs than ours (Matthew 6:19-24).
Matthew 6:25 (NIV)
"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?
Matthew 6:28 (NIV)
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
Matthew 6:31 (NIV)
So do not worry, saying, ’What shall we eat?’ or ’What shall we drink?’ or ’What shall we wear?’
Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
We have a number of different aspects of putting away worry, this is just the first that we will look at…we need to be in fellowship to understand fully this concept and how best to put this away that we may help on another and be better prepared to “Go ye therefore…”
