Often this verse is quoted by itself. Many songs have been written on the text of this one verse as well. I think the "these things" part of this verse makes a lot more sense when you read the eight verses preceding it. They are as follows:
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, "What shall we eat?" Or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly father knows that you need them all. (Matthew 6:25-32)
And now with the context.........
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)
Ahhh, that makes sense.
Hi Katrina,
ReplyDeleteCan't believe your post. It's Sunday 9pm and I just spent the last 3 hours trying to encourage a brother in the faith who is overwhelmed with worry that, for the first time in 20 years, that he will not have enough work this month to help him afford to keep his humble apartment.
Three guesses as to what portion of Scripture I used to encourage him with, along with prayer of course. Matt 6:25-32 and we talked for 3 hours. I came home, had a bowl of ice cream, sat down at the computer, checked out the latest on my blog roll, opened up your site...lo and behold! Amazing. I love when the Lord does that!
And thank you for your prayers, sister, regarding our Canada Day outreach. I told the team of 26 that we had people from all over praying for us that day.
If you have not heard yet, we were split up into 4 teams, 4 locations, 4 open air preachers, and the Lord blessed us with the ability to hand out 34,700 gospel tracts in the course of our 6 hour presence. We had a great time of fellowship at our church along with a huge meal. God is so good!
Our team members from London, Ontario, (an 8 hour drive away) and the family from New Brunswick out on the east coast were a major blessing to our team here in Ottawa. What a great God we serve!
I have a lot of photo and video editing to do, but I hope I'll have a blog up about it soon.
Thanks again for your support thru prayer. You were a part of our team because of your commitment to pray for us. We're all in this together. Amen!
Paul
Paul,
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed how God uses the very Scripture I am currently studying to encourage me over and over. As I am faithful in reading it, He constantly puts it before me.
So encouraged to hear about your Canada Day outreach efforts. Can't wait to see the final posts!
I agree, what a great God we serve!