Matthew 6:25 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?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

31 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.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. 

Introductory Thoughts

The gospel according to Matthew points to the fowls of the air and the lilies of the field as examples of God’s supernatural provisions for His creation. God in His goodness feeds the fowls and clothes the lilies. How much more will He do for man? Since God provides for the lesser things, He tells man not to worry about what he will have to eat, drink, or how he will be clothed. Instead of focusing on one’s needs, man should direct his thoughts toward God’s kingdom and His righteousness. God provides man with food and raiment and instructs him to be content with such things. The scripture also rebukes the faithless by encouraging men to trust God for their necessary provisions. It is important to note that God’s supernatural provisions do not advocate laziness or condone an unwillingness to work (2 Thessalonians 3:10). He simply expects man to trust Him fully and completely.

 Devotional Thoughts

  • (For children): What do birds eat? Who gives them their food? Who gives the flowers their pretty colors? The Bible says that people are more important to God than birds and flowers. How does God care for you?
  • (For everyone): Meditate upon the two examples of provision in this passage. Does God provide for the birds and the flowers? Do the birds fret about obtaining more possessions or do flowers strain to flaunt their beauty? If the birds can trust the Lord, how ought we to behave?
  • What are the spiritual and physical effects of devoting your time and efforts toward worrying about obtaining more possessions? Does it draw you closer to God? Does it bring joy and peace into your life? If it produces the opposite results, why do people spend so much time and effort worrying?

 Prayer Thoughts

  • Ask God to build your faith so you can trust in Him and His provisions for you.
  • Ask the Lord to help you think on eternal rewards rather than temporal pleasures.

SONG: I Surrender All