In the Fulness of Time/Part 32
| By: Dr. Thomas O. Figart; ©2007 |
| Jesus demonstrates his authority over natural forces when he heals the woman with the hemorrhage. Was she healed simply by touching His robe, or was more involved? |
Three Words About Worry
Last month we considered the first of these three words about worry, namely, that Worry is Unnecessary. This time, we will deal with the other two thoughts. The second word is that…
Worry is Unspiritual
Right now the world is going through a period of unsettling economic troubles; governments are not ready to call it a world-wide depression, but some officials are speaking of an American Recession. This gives cause to some, even Christians, to lose their jobs and begin to wonder just what to expect next, even to the point of thinking that perhaps the coming of our Lord is drawing nigh. What should we think in times like these? Well, our text gives both the questions and answers to such situations:
- Matthew 6:31-21 “Therefore, be not anxious saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, With what shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things”
Luke’s fuller account gives proper meaning to “Gentiles” where Jesus says, “For all these things do the nations of the world seek after” (Luke 12:30). Obviously, the contrast is between believers who have a heavenly Father Who knows our needs, and all the rest, who are “of the world.” Not only does our Father know, but He knows “before we ask” (Matthew 6:8). How unspiritual, then, to worry about things! Remember, too, that the unsaved have no heavenly Father, so they spend all their energy on things.
- Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you”
This admonition to “seek” (zeteite) is a present imperative, which infers previous seeking, so “go on seeking” is a good translation. Jesus is speaking to believers here, who have already partaken of God’s righteousness and His spiritual kingdom. This is in contrast to the world’s seeking after things, because “all these things shall be added unto you.” See that the priority of your life is the heavenly treasure, and God will supply the earthly things which are still needed, even by believers. The Pharisees had only their self-righteousness, but the true disciples of the Messiah/King has the “better righteousness.” Worry about “things” is to be like the unbeliever; it is unspiritual!
Worry is Unfruitful
- “Be therefore not anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is its own evil.”
Instead of translating “about tomorrow” it is really Eis ton aurion, “into tomorrow.” At first this may seem like a contradiction to everything Jesus has said. Should we worry about the things of today instead of projecting them into tomorrow? No, this is not the thought; He has gone to great lengths to instruct His disciples not to worry today. What Jesus says here
is an additional thought; not only should we trust God for today, but for tomorrow as well. To project our worries into tomorrow is unfruitful. This will not solve any problems. Do not push off today’s worries into tomorrow; let tomorrow care for itself, then you are free today! If someone should ask, “What is the difference between concern and worry?” the answer is found in the final clause of this verse: “Sufficient unto the day is its own evil.”
The word “evil” (kakia) does have bad connotations in many contexts, but here it is not moral evil, but daily troubles. Concern means to tackle each problem as it comes up on that particular day, seek God’s grace, which is also “sufficient” (II Corinthians 12:9), deal with the problem and then leave it in God’s hands. We do not solve every problem within one day, so we do what we can during that day, then rest in Him. Worry, on the other hand, is to consider the problem, but make no effort to solve it; and thus, continue to have a divided mind. This will not promote peace and you will take it to bed with you and worry “into tomorrow.”
Really, God only gives us one day at a time, so we are free from tomorrow’s troubles. He will give the all-sufficient grace when tomorrow arrives. Worry, therefore, is completely Unnecessary, Unspiritual and Unfruitful!
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