Among the many questions Jesus asked is this one found in Matthew 6:28 (ESV): “And why are you anxious about clothing?” Other translations read, “And why do you worry . . .” (NIV). Either way, the point lands. We are anxious about many things. We tend to worry far too much.
Let’s read Matthew 6:25–33 together:
25 “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? 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? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 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? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Much of our worry stems from focusing on the wrong things. In Matthew 6:19–21, Jesus warns, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
When our focus is on earthly things, anxiety follows easily because the things of this earth are not eternal and can be lost without warning. Consider your investments, a new car that depreciates the moment you drive off the lot, or the scams constantly seeking your money. The list of potential worries is endless.
Our earthly treasures are fleeting. That is what Jesus confronts in this passage. Worry assumes responsibility for things God has promised to handle. It damages our health, disrupts our productivity, affects how we treat others, and reduces our ability to trust God.
Jesus never said we should not be concerned about things. There is a difference. Worry often immobilizes us, while concern motivates us to action.
In verse 27Jesus asks, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” We have no control over our future. We can’t add time to our life. Jesus uses vivid illustrations to make his point. He asks, “And why are you anxious about clothing?” Then he simply tells us to look at the flowers and see how God gives them life and beauty. Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. God is committed to caring for all our needs. We need not worry or be anxious about anything, for God knows our every need. His love for us is greater than we can imagine. In Romans 8:38–39, Paul reminds us that nothing—absolutely nothing—can separate us from the love of God.
Our culture pressures us to hold onto earthly treasures as if our life depends on them. Jesus says our lives depend on God and his love and care for us. So, we ask ourselves again: Why are we anxious? Why do we worry?
Jesus ends with the answer: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” He urges us to change our focus. Look to the Lord—the giver of all good and perfect gifts. Do not look to the things that fade away, can be stolen, or become worthless at the whim of the world.
In Christ,
David ‘PK’ VanderKlay