“Therefore
do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What
shall we wear?’ “For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your
heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “But seek first the
kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to
you. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its
own things. Sufficient for the day is its own
trouble". Matthew 6:31-34 NKJV
I received a question a while back from a believer concerned with the news of shortages, possible famine, and the crashing economy and they wondered what the proper response from believers should be. They mentioned a program on television which examined the lives of families who are preparing to
survive what is described as a coming apocalyptic upheaval of society as we
know it. They have chosen to prepare by
constructing underground shelters or above ground fortresses stocked with food,
water, supplies, and most of all arms and ammunition to defend themselves. Now while at first glance this might seem
wise if you accept the idea that what they are preparing for is actually going
to occur, as believers, the question we need to ask ourselves is should our
approach be different than theirs?
Now
I have always thought it prudent, especially living in the northwest, to be
prepared to survive a few days without power during the winter months when we
can experience stormy weather. In my
opinion, however, that is a far different thing than what these individuals are
choosing to do. As always, if we as
believers have questions concerning our approach to life’s problems, the first
thing we should do is examine what the scriptures have to say that might be
applicable under these circumstances. In
this passage from Matthew, we find that Jesus is talking about what most of us
worry about at one time or another and that is providing for ourselves and our
families.
“Do not
worry”. The very first thing
our Lord tells us is not to worry. Who
among us has never worried? What does it
say about human nature if the very first thing Jesus speaks about is not to
worry? Jesus knows our weaknesses and
obviously a lack of faith on our part is something we all will struggle with at
times. I think back to all the times I
may have worried while trying to provide for my family as my children were
growing up and it is almost embarrassing to realize that in every single
instance God provided for us, and my worry was a complete waste of time and
energy.
“For
your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” As parents, I’m sure most of us would agree
we had a very good idea of just what our children needed, or didn’t need as
they were growing up. How could we
possibly think an omnipotent God would not know the needs of His own children
and to provide for us all of the things we need to survive? Yet we do it all the time by devoting our
efforts to not only providing for our needs, but actually accumulating more
than we need just as the world says that we should. I believe the point Jesus is trying to make
is that there should be a difference between what the world “seeks” and what
believers “seek”.
“But
seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness”. There is a stark difference between the
secular world view and the biblical world view.
Jesus tells us that rather than seeking to prepare by accumulating
(worldly approach), the believer should trust God to provide and seek His
kingdom and righteousness (biblical approach).
What exactly does seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness mean to us as
believers? I think a good clue can be
found in an earlier portion of this passage in Matthew where Jesus begins His
discussion of this subject and says this;
“Do not
lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where
thieves break in and steal; “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and
steal." Matthew 6:19-20 NKJV
How
does a believer accumulate treasure in Heaven?
I believe since in many places we are told that when we get to Heaven
our works on this earth will be judged and rewards given or lost, the treasure
Jesus is talking about is what we choose to do with what we are given on this
earth in order to further His kingdom. I
believe God expects us as believers to give generously to those in need, and
only keep what we really need rather than “accumulating” as the world
does. In other words, believers should
be more concerned with “heavenly prepping” rather than “earthly prepping” and
this is accomplished by seeking to supply for the needs of those less fortunate
around us.
"each
one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be
revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.
If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will
receive a reward." 1 Corinthians 3:13-14 NKJV
Generosity
towards others is not limited to our material blessings from God, but also
includes our service for Him by giving of our time and efforts to do good works
in His name. You might watch worldly preppers and come to the justifiable
conclusion that they are obsessed with their efforts to prepare for what they
believe is coming, as well as noticing their efforts are all designed to help
themselves and not others. Our question
to ourselves should be do others see us as obsessed with preparing for the
coming Kingdom, or rather worrying about the things God already promised He will provide for us? The world should see our
works for God and wonder much in the same way as we look at them and wonder.
“Then
the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: ‘for I
was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a
stranger and you took Me in; ‘I was naked and you
clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry
and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? ‘When did we
see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and
clothe You? ‘Or when did we see You sick, or in prison,
and come to You?’ “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say
to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least
of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25:34-40 NKJV
Although the future does indeed look scary, we have God's promise we have nothing to worry about. So considering His promise, what exactly have you chosen to prepare for?
Keep
watching.
