Since they’re short, I’ve got two references to expound upon this time. These are things the Spirit put in my heart as I read the Word.
Matthew 6:25-34, with a focus on v. 33
At least among my experiences in the church, Matthew 6:33 is quoted many times to people who aren’t Christians who the person quoting believes they should.
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
I’ve used it to. But this time when I read it, I was asked, “Yeah, but do you stop once you’re a Christian?”
Once I read the verse in context, I realized that it’s something we should continue to do. The verses preceding talk about God’s provisions for the birds and the beautiful dress he’s given the flowers. Then we’re rhetorically asked wouldn’t God care even more for His children? The final verse in the passage reminds us not to worry about tomorrow, because today has enough things to worry about. Besides, worrying doesn’t change anything. It’s completely useless.
When we need something, when we have to make a decision, when we are afraid, what is our first response? Often mine is to solve the problem on my own. But I want to change. I want my first response to be to “seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness” and trust that “all these things will be added” later.
Mark 4:26-29
This might be a little more selfish than edifying, but we’ll see. I’m the kind of person who likes to see the results of my work. If I do something and I don’t know how it turned out, it drives me crazy. I’m really excited when I see something I had a part in succeed. This is especially pertinent to people with whom I’ve come in contact and in some way or another was able to share the Gospel with them. Sometimes I think about it and really wish I could know if they’ve turned to God yet. So far in my life it’s happened twice that I know of, and I was really humbled and joyed to know that I was even a small part of them coming to know the Lord.
Verse 27 reminded me that I don’t need to worry about it. This type of things happen all the time. Farmers plant crops in the season, and they have no idea what’s going on underneath the dirt, but they don’t worry about it. They do what they need to do to make sure the plant grows, and at the end of the season they find out how their work went.
This verse could also edify someone who feels like they keep trying and trying to lead a person to Christ but never feel like they’re getting anywhere. The seed’s been planted. Let it grow.
-j
I'm Jason, and I like to write.