Let’s get one thing out of the way. I don’t know all there is to know about this subject. I’m still searching myself in many areas, but I know that wisdom begins with God (Proverbs 2:6, James 1:5). I may never know all I need to know, but prayerfully searching Scripture is the only way to start. (If you haven’t read the first post in this series on why I’m even studying this topic, click here.)
Format: In each of these posts, I’ll share a Scripture, the context of that Scripture, an application, and any questions that came up in my personal study.
My request of you: Please chime in! If you have a thought on one of my questions, I really want to hear it! If you have questions of your own, please share! This is a journey we’re all on together.
Let’s dig in:
Today’s verse:
“This is why I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing?” Matthew 6:25 HCSB
In context: Jesus is teaching about not seeking money and how you can’t serve God and money. Then he gives the example of how the birds are fed by God. In verse 31-32 it says again, “So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the idolaters eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” Then verse 33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you” and verse 34 says, “Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (HCSB)
Background: Most people of this time had very little and were dependent on seasonal rains for their food. Compared to most of us, they had much more reason to worry. Long-term health wasn’t even an issue on their minds when having any food at all was in question from year to year. Most of us cannot fathom this, yet Jesus told them not to worry.
Apply:
- The kingdom of God is top priority.
- God knows better than anyone what our bodies need.
- He will supply those needs.
- He doesn’t want us to worry about what tomorrow may bring (illness, etc.)
Question: In seeking first the kingdom of God, is it not logical to want a healthy body to be able to do that work for as long as possible?
Chime in: What are your thoughts on this Scripture? Why do you think Jesus called those who worry about their physical needs idolaters?
Ok this is a subject I am passionate about. Most of the principles I live by come from a book called What TheBible Says About Healthy Living. The premise is that if God made our bodies then He knows how they work best! Hope you don’t mind I’ll prob be chiming in a lot
I would love that! As I mentioned, I’m still very much searching myself. A lot of my concern is that unless you seek to become self-sustainable, it’s just so expensive to eat healthy! Which means, essentially only the “rich” can afford can be healthy, and we know of God’s compassion for the needy. I look very forward to your thoughts!
Ok this is a subject I am passionate about. Most of the principles I live by come from a book called What TheBible Says About Healthy Living. The premise is that if God made our bodies then He knows how they work best! Hope you don’t mind I’ll prob be chiming in a lot
I would love that! As I mentioned, I’m still very much searching myself. A lot of my concern is that unless you seek to become self-sustainable, it’s just so expensive to eat healthy! Which means, essentially only the “rich” can afford can be healthy, and we know of God’s compassion for the needy. I look very forward to your thoughts!