Bible Reading: Matthew 6
Matthew 6:25 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?
Does Jesus here say that you should not think ahead or plan? Is he advocating that you go through life like a goose wandering from day to day living off what you can find lying on the ground? If a farmer did not plan, he would not plant. If a businessman did not plan, he would not do inventory or prepare for different seasons. If a housewife did not plan, she would find the cupboards bare and the laundry undone when it was time to leave for a trip!
No, Jesus is not saying not to plan. As a matter of fact, the Bible teaches us to plan ahead and prepare.
Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established.
Here we are told to seek wise counsel for our purposes before we proceed with them. The apostle Paul had a plan in his journeys and travels.
Acts 19:21 After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
The Bible instructs us to plan our work even before building our house.
Proverbs 24:27 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
Jesus is not saying not to think about these things. He is saying not to worry about these things. He is telling us not to dwell upon them and be consumed with the thoughts of them. To fixate upon the concerns of this life is a sure fire way to drive you crazy! Instead we should plan and prepare, but prayerfully and confident in the promises of Jesus. He has promised to provide for us. We are told to seek his kingdom and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
Instead of worrying about the cares of life, we should roll them onto the Lord.
Psalms 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
To ‘commit’ means to transfer the weight from you onto Jesus. Let him carry the burden because he is big enough and strong enough to do it.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Care, worry and fret are not for you and me to concern ourselves with. So if you are plagued by these, the Bible tells us what to do with them.
Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Trade your care for God’s peace!
In Christ,
Rody
