Introduction

Matthew 6:24–34: In today’s reading, Jesus teaches not to be worried about daily needs, assuring his followers that they are always in God’s loving care.

Today’s Key Verse: Matthew 6:33 GNT

[Jesus said:] “Be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things.”

Read

24 “You cannot be a slave of two masters; you will hate one and love the other; you will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

25 “This is why I tell you: do not be worried about the food and drink you need in order to stay alive, or about clothes for your body. After all, isn’t life worth more than food? And isn’t the body worth more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds: they do not plant seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns; yet your Father in heaven takes care of them! Aren’t you worth much more than birds? 27 Can any of you live a bit longer by worrying about it?

28 “And why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow: they do not work or make clothes for themselves. 29 But I tell you that not even King Solomon with all his wealth had clothes as beautiful as one of these flowers. 30 It is God who clothes the wild grass—grass that is here today and gone tomorrow, burned up in the oven. Won’t he be all the more sure to clothe you? What little faith you have!

31 “So do not start worrying: ‘Where will my food come from? or my drink? or my clothes?’ 32 (These are the things the pagans are always concerned about.) Your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. 33 Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things. 34 So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings.

Reflect

Reread verses 25–34. Are there things you worry or are anxious about? How does Jesus’s teaching provide comfort? How does the whole passage define what it means to be a disciple of Jesus?

Pray

Gracious God, I place my trust in you, knowing that you are there to provide for my needs. May I seek after your Kingdom first, trusting in your steadfast love. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Matthew 7:1–12: Jesus concludes his Sermon on the Mount and teaches about the “Golden Rule.”