Money in the Word Episode 6: Matthew 6:25-34

In this video, we take a look at Matthew 6:25-34 with Cal Treichler, CFP® and CSLP™ of Guide Financial Planning. These verses discuss how God promises to provide all that we need, while also explaining that life ultimately comes from Him, not from our earthly resources.

Hi, my name is Cal Treichler. I'm one of the financial planners here at Guide Financial Planning. Thanks for taking the time to watch another episode of Money in the Word as we look at what the Bible says about money and and how we can apply it to our lives.

Today's passage is Matthew 6:25-34. It says, "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 than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sew or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying at a single hour to your life? 28 And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you--you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

This passage is in the middle of Jesus's sermon on the Mount, which is found in Matthew 5-7. That's a sermon that's full of wisdom and words of encouragement, and challenges to trust God. In this passage, Jesus is telling us that he is in control and will provide his followers everything that they need. Also, he's telling us that an abundant life doesn't come from pursuing earthly possessions, but rather it comes from from seeking Christ. So going back to the first part of this passage, Jesus is telling us that we don't need to worry about our lives, including things like food and clothes. Now Jesus is not saying that we will all be wealthy, but rather Jesus explains how he provides for birds who do not sew or reap or have the ability to store food in barns. Even with those disadvantages that birds have Jesus knows what they need and he provides for them. We as humans are much more precious in the eyes of God, and therefore Jesus is promising that he will care for us even more than he does for birds. Again, this does not mean that we will always have all the material possessions we think we need, or that we won't experience suffering. But it does mean that God is always in control and that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.

While God promises to meet the needs mentioned in this passage, we have a need that's even greater than food or clothing that God promises to meet, and that is that we are in need of a Savior from our sinful nature. God satisfies that need by sending his son Jesus, who is the very one giving this sermon, to live a perfect life and then die on a cross so that we may be judged based on his perfect life instead of our own. Once we realize that our greatest need has already been met it can allow us to worry a lot less about our secondary needs. Jesus also asks how worrying can add a single hour to our lives. He's reminding us here ultimately that we're not God. Only God has the ability to control all things and we're just simply not in control.

The next part when Jesus is talking about flowers, I think speaks to both people who find themselves in need, but also people who find themselves in a time of plenty, or wealthy. For those in need, God uses another example here, flowers this time, rather than birds, to show again that God takes care of them and provides for their needs. God cares for us much more than he does for flowers. Also, for those who are in a time of plenty, it may be easier to not worry for those who have resources and have the ability to buy the things that they need. With that said, Jesus says not even Solomon in all his Splendor was dressed like one of these one of these flowers. He's reminding us that while you may be able to afford earthly possessions, the position that Solomon certainly found himself in, ultimately God's provisions and the life that comes from God surpasses any earthly possessions we can purchase. with our own resources. So this part of the passage is both encouragement to those who are in need not to worry because God will provide, but also a warning to the wealthy to seek the Lord rather than trusting in personal wealth.

Finally, Jesus offers a really practical piece of wisdom. He says, "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Another thing that we can't control is what will happen in the future, and Jesus challenges us here to be content with the things that God has provided for us today. Jesus promises that there will be trouble, but throughout this passage he gives us ample reason to trust that he will provide for us.

Please pray with me. Dear Lord, please help me to trust you, that you'll provide for me and provide all the things that I need. When I feel that I have what I need, God help me to continually rely on you to be the ultimate source of life for me. Amen

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