Scripture:
Matthew 6:31-34 (WEBBE)
“Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.”
Reflection:
Anxiety about the future is a common human experience. We often find ourselves worrying about our needs—food, drink, clothing, and other essentials. In this passage, Jesus addresses these very concerns, reminding us of a fundamental truth: our heavenly Father knows what we need.
Jesus contrasts the anxious striving of the Gentiles with the peaceful trust of those who follow Him. The Gentiles, who do not know God as Father, spend their lives chasing after material things, driven by a fear of lack. But as children of God, we are called to a different way of living. Our focus should not be on the accumulation of possessions, but on seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.
What does it mean to seek first God’s Kingdom? It means prioritizing our relationship with God above all else, aligning our lives with His will, and trusting in His provision. When we put God’s Kingdom at the center of our lives, everything else falls into place. Jesus promises that when we seek first the Kingdom, “all these things will be given to you as well.” God, who knows our needs, will provide for us.
Jesus also gives us a powerful antidote to anxiety: living in the present moment. He tells us, “Don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.” Worrying about the future only adds unnecessary stress to our lives. Instead, we are called to focus on today, trusting that God will take care of tomorrow.
This passage is a call to trust in God’s provision and to live with a Kingdom perspective. When we do, we find freedom from anxiety and the peace that comes from knowing we are in our Father’s care.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for knowing our needs even before we ask. Help us to trust in Your provision and to seek first Your Kingdom and righteousness. Teach us to live in the present moment, free from anxiety about the future. May our lives reflect the peace and confidence that comes from knowing we are cared for by You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Application:
- Reflect on areas in your life where you tend to worry about the future. What steps can you take to surrender those worries to God?
- Consider how you can prioritize seeking God’s Kingdom in your daily life—through prayer, reading Scripture, serving others, or deepening your relationship with God.
- Practice living in the present moment, trusting that God will take care of tomorrow.
Verse for Meditation:
“But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33, WEBBE)