Demand #14 – Do Not Be Anxious About the Necessities of Daily Life
Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
—Matt. 6:25
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
—Matt. 6:34
Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
—Luke 12:32
1) Jesus Does Not Secure His Kingship by Cultivating Anxiety
Most of us probably realize that our King is different from worldly kings but His desire to see us free of anxiety is in sharp contrast to the rulers of this earth. His power and superiority are never in doubt since they are aspects of His nature and not bestowed upon Him by the customs or ceremonies of men. Henry the 8th is a historical good but negative example of a man who used anxiety to rule because his power and superiority were always in doubt. The power and superiority of Jesus are magnified and glorified by our lack of anxiety. When Jesus says, “Do not be anxious about tomorrow,” he is demanding the kind of life that everybody would want—no anxiety – but that can only lived in faith in His work on the Cross and His works sustaining and keeping us.
How does Jesus expect this demand to come true when we see things all around us that make us anxious? Jesus gives two extended treatments about anxiety and fear, one having to do with anxiety over the basics of life, like food, drink, clothing (Matt. 6:25-34), the other having to do with anxiety over the hurt that men can do to us (Matt. 10:24-31).
First we’ll look at daily needs and then in the next chapter we’ll look at fear of what men can do to you.
2) The Anxieties of Daily Life
Jesus makes what He wants us to do very clear. He says in Matthew 6:25-34. “Do not be anxious.” Verse 25: “Do not be anxious about your life.” Verse 31: “Do not be anxious, saying , ‘What shall we eat?’” Verse 34: “Do not be anxious about tomorrow.” He tells us what not to do and He tells us in verse 33 to, “Seek first the kingdom of God.” So when you are challenged to be anxious in your daily needs for jobs, family, church, government, or any other daily need we are told to recognize that need is under God the King. We have the opportunity, as long as our government permits it, to use our currency to remind us of that. This week, when you spend cash, look at the “In God we Trust” on it and recognize that the need being met is being met by Him and God the King and that He will meet all your needs.
3) Reason #1 Not to be Anxious – Life Is More Than Food, and the Body Is More Than Clothing
Verse 25. “Do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on.” Why? “Because life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.” We worry about food and clothing and forget the bigger things in life. Primarily we forget God but we also forget all sorts of human relationships at the same time. To remember God is to keep our priorities right and prevent our valuing things above people. In particular, since life is eternal, those aspects of living that are eternal such as relationship with God and knowledge of Him ought to be first in our hearts. People also are eternal and therefore relationships and harmony in the Body of Christ are important. Life is more than food and the body is more than clothing. We shouldn’t sacrifice the eternal for physical pleasure or human praise. If we do we are disobeying God and He is not at the center of our life. We should be “rich towards God” (Luke 12:21) and seek to please Him (John 5:44).
4) Reason #2 Not to be Anxious – Look at the Birds of the Air
The second reason Jesus gives for not being anxious is in Matthew 6:26: “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” There is an expectation of God’s providence that we are called upon to have. We should expect God’s blessing because Jesus has told us God loves us. We are valued by God and so we should expect His hand in our lives.
5) Reason #3 Not to be Anxious – You Cannot Add One Cubit to Your Span of Life
The third reason not to be anxious is that it’s fruitless. “And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life?” (Matt.6:27, RSV). Anxiety is not good for you. So in a very practical way God is telling us that being anxious doesn’t help and it is ridiculous to act as if it was a good thing.
6) Reason #4 Not to be Anxious – Consider the Lilies of the Field
The fourth reason Jesus gives for not being anxious is based on the lilies. “And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (Matt. 6:28-30). God gives us what we need to serve him. Lilies have what they need to serve God and we are adorned with what we need. We may not have what Solomon had but we “are adorned” with what we need. Piper uses Jesus comments about John the Baptist to show this. “Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings’ courts”—but not John the Baptist! He had prophetic work to do and wore “a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey” (Luke 7:25; Matt. 3:4). “Among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist” (Matt. 11:11). God doesn’t promise to make us rich in this world’s stuff or even to keep us alive (Luke 21:16) but He will give us what we need to do His will.
7) Reason #5 Not to be Anxious – the Gentiles seek after all these things
The fifth and sixth reasons why a follower of Jesus shouldn’t be anxious are given in Matthew 6:32. We shouldn’t be anxious about what we eat or drink or wear because “[fifth reason] the Gentiles seek after all these things;” Our value system is different and it has got to start showing for the Church to be the Bride of Christ. Jesus assumes that you will not want to be like the unsaved. If you want to live your life with stuff as your god then you haven’t been paying attention to the Holy Spirit or you’re not saved. In addition, you’re not rational since living your life for stuff you can’t keep is crazy.
8) Reason #6 Not to be Anxious – Your Heavenly Father Knows That You Need Them All
Also from Matthew 6:32 is this reason not to be anxious. If we are anxious then it shows that we don’t think our Father in heaven knows our needs or else that we don’t trust His heart. Fundamentally, exhibiting anxiety shows that we are too close to the world (like the Gentiles) and too far from God (we don’t think He knows what we need).
9) Reason #7 Not to be Anxious – All These Things Will Be Added to You
The seventh reason not to be anxious is that when you seek the kingdom of God first, he works for you and provides all your needs. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matt. 6:33). God will give us what we need (not what we want) to do the works He gives us to do (not that we think up for ourselves). He will give us a fulfilling life if we seek the kingdom of God first.
10) Reason #8 Not to be Anxious – Tomorrow Will Be Anxious for Itself
The last argument is, “Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day” (Matt. 6:34). This reminds me of sports because it is a call to live in the moment and leave tomorrow alone. The worst think for a team is to look past the game to another. Some folks think that Serbia threw their one of their first Olympic water polo matches so they could get in the bracket with the US as the easiest way to the gold medal match. The US was supposed to be an easy game. They looked past to the troubles of the next day and the troubles of the day (the US) resulted in them playing for bronze. We have limited ability. God is transcendent and we are not. We really need to live one day at a time.
Piper points out that it would be wise to memorize Matthew 6:25-34 and I’d have to agree that it is one way to get these key concepts in our heads.
Matthew 6:25-34
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Demand #15 – Do Not Be Anxious About the Threats of Man
You will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.
—Matt. 10:18-19
A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
—Matt. 10:24-31
Another demand that we must hold the line against is the fear of men. It is natural to not want to die. We live in a society that is very tolerant as long as you don’t teach or speak the exclusive truth claims of Jesus. We are called to have courage. For some it has been a steeper climb than others. I don’t feel that I’ve had anything like Polycarp’s challenge as he died in the Roman coliseum or the challenge of countless individuals who’ve been persecuted or killed for Christ. On August 5th eight high school students were imprisoned in a metal shipping container because they objected to hundreds of Bibles being burned in Eritrea. On July 23rd a woman named Azieb Simon died from malaria after months of prison and torture for being a Christian. She was refused treatment and only lasted a week with the disease. Other Christians in the prison camp are under constant pressure to deny their faith. It is estimated that there are 1800 Christians in 12 prisons in Eritrea. We often don’t hear or notice that things like this are routine but you’ll hear in heaven. Nothing can disturb Azieb’s perfect peace and joy now. China is putting on a good show but there are Christians in prison in China too. Jesus calls us to show courage in speaking clearly what He taught. He says in Matthew 10:27-28, “What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops. And do not fear…”
Five reasons why we should have courage in the cause of truth.
1) They Will Malign You Like They Did Jesus
Jesus reasoning seems to be that our mistreatment will not be accidental and that we simply identify with our Lord as we go through the struggle. When you are called names by the world then it just shows your identification with Christ.
2) Nothing Is Covered That Will Not Be Revealed
Second, notice the word “for” in the middle of that same verse 26 “So have no fear of them; for [here comes the second reason not to be afraid] nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” Some English Bible translations drop these important words because they think it helps the flow of thought. For example, the New International Version drops this crucial word “for” (gavr). It helps to know that the truth will triumph and that not one of the nameless who dies for Christ will remain nameless. Not one bit of courage shown for Christ is unknown because the Father knows it.
3) Fear Not, You Can Only Be Killed!
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” (Matt. 10:28). It seems like an odd promise Scripture doesn’t it? But many have clung to that Scripture.
4) Even the Hairs of Your Head Are All Numbered
God is completely aware of what is happening to you at every moment in such detail as stagger our minds. Jesus says, “Even the hairs of your head are all numbered.” He is present in every moment of yours and will not leave you alone.
5) Not One of Them Will Fall to the Ground Without Your Father’s Will
Finally, fear not because God will not let anything happen to you apart from his gracious will. “You are of more value than many sparrows.” “Not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s will” (Matt. 10:29 [RSV], 31). God is God and as God governs even the smallest events like birds falling to the ground. The missionary Henry Martyn said, “If [God] has work for me to do, I cannot die.” Piper says, “We are immortal until the work God has for us is done.”
So Do Not Fear the Face of Any Man
Don’t be anxious about your daily bread or the threats of men. You don’t need to pretend that you think that everyone is going to heaven. It is OK to think and say that Jesus’ exclusive truth claims are right. Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth, I have not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matt. 10:34). It is a sword of truth that gives life to all who believe.
Love the truth and don’t fear men.
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