| Top Priority But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. | |
| - Matthew 6:33 |
When Jesus told us not to worry about food and clothing, His emphasis was on the word worry. He didn't say, "Don't think about it." Nor did He imply, "Don't plan ahead for your needs." He said, "Don't worry."
The fact of the matter is that the Bible criticizes the lazy person who lives off the generosity of others and does not work for a living. The Bible says that if you don't work, you shouldn't eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Go get a job. Provide for yourself. The Bible even encourages us to plan for the future and learn from the example of the ant that is always planning ahead (Proverbs 6:6-8). So the Bible does not advocate laziness. It doesn't advocate being irresponsible. But Jesus said, don't worry about this.
Let me put it another way. Don't be obsessed with these things. Jesus said that's how nonbelievers are.
"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. (Matthew 6:31-33)
Isn't that the emphasis of so many people today-what to eat, what to wear? Their whole lives revolve around materialistic goals. Jesus said this won't do it. This won't satisfy the deepest need of your life.
Don't make these things your primary purpose in life. Rather, seek God first and foremost in your life, and everything that you need will be provided for you. God will take care of you. He cares about you. He will supply all of your needs.
I subscribe to Greg Laurie's Daily Newsletter. This is December 29th 2006 newsletter in it's ENTIRETY.
My husband and I went for our first Mission Trip ever this past September (Machakos, Kenya). While I was there, these were the thoughts that constantly rang in my mind. I can be voted for the world's biggest worrier: but I rather call myself a PLANNER, a well-organized one. These people in Kenya hardly have anything (in our American standards), yet they are built upon such deep faith for God. One pastor told us, "That's the only thing we have..... We dont know when our next job will come so that we'll have enough money to buy food". And here I am, worrying if I have socked enough away for retirement.
I had one of the toughest time in Kenya. I am never a Princess type personality but Kenya was just absolutely different: nothing like I've ever been to before. We always hurried into places we need to go (I was scared because I was "treated" like that, not by the people of Kenya: they look just fine to me). Talk about dust: Oh boy, I had severe allergies and they didnt quite have EPA control with the auto fume. I'm not a fancy hotel person, but I do expect a clean bathroom for me to dust off. Needless to say, I "asked" God if I really fulfill His plan while I was there.
As I was looking through my photos one night, God spoke to me through this picture. I started balling. This picture were taken just the afternoon before. I was in the Ministry team: so we did some Children's and Women's ministry. These kids were having fun, watching the puppet show, jumping up and down.
This photo said it all....... Yes, I did fulfill His plan while I was there. We touched these kids' lives while they did ours.
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