BCP Trinity 15  Matthew 6:24-34

PRAY

Jesus was teaching his disciples in what we know as the Sermon on the Mount. He had just told them about the importance of building up treasures in heaven where moth and rust cannot destroy and where thieves cannot steal.

He then challenges the disciples to trust in God rather than wealth. Like a slave who cannot serve two masters, so a disciple cannot trust in God and Mammon. Mammon is a word referring to wealth and property, not just money.

There is no room for divided loyalty. It is as if Jesus is saying who are you a slave to ? God, or your possessions ? Although we may think that we own our home, or car, or computer or whatever, they can own us ! They can become the thing that demands the time, talents, and money that belong to God.

Jesus assumes that his disciples will make the right choice and continues - verse 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?

Jesus is not commending irresponsibility, laziness, apathy, or indifference. So it is not following in Jesus way to refuse to have your car serviced and to say, "Trust in Jesus." Or not to brush your teeth or refuse to take your medication and say "I've got faith."

Jesus is saying don't worry in such a way that it takes hold of you. He illustrates this using nature. The birds of the air wouldn't know how to operate a combine harvester. And the lilies of the field cannot operate a sewing machine. Yet, Jesus says, God looks after them. Giving them food and wonderful finery. So, will he much more provide you and me with food, drink, and clothing.

Jesus is talking about a different lifestyle to that of the gentiles or pagans. verses 31f, Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32: (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things..

They are seeking, pursuing these things. They are self-centred. They cannot see any further than material things, and their own human power.

Jesus says that Christians are to seek first the kingdom of God. To come under the rule of God. To seek his righteousness, to follow his ways which are different to the ways of the world. They acknowledge a different set of values, and a supernatural power to transform and enable a different lifestyle to be led.

Jesus says don't worry. It can't change things. A short man never got any taller by worrying about his height. It just made him feel smaller and more insignificant.

Don't worry about tomorrow, there is enough to occupy you today says Jesus. Can you remember the things that we were worrying about, say, a year ago ? We probably can't ! So what was the point of worrying ?

As Christians how should we live in the light of this passage?

We are to live for God, putting him and his ways first in our lives.

This will give us confidence to bring our concerns to God, and lay them at his feet. Psalm 55:22 says, "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you, he will never let the righteous fall."

God is in control, he cares for us, and will look after us. We can trust in him. It is useless to trust in material wealth and possessions which can change nothing, be destroyed and get stolen.

PRAY