We are fast approaching the end to another year. Time truly does continue to march on, and the older I get the faster it seems to march by. That is why we are often reminded in scripture to “redeem the time”. We are also reminded by James in chapter 4:14 “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away”. As we come to the end of the year, we want to look into our theme of Matthew 6:33; “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you”.

Jesus was addressing the problem of excessive worry or anxiety. At the heart of his message was the primary importance of recognizing that God is the giver of our very lives. In the beginning of this text Jesus asks the question, “Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (6:25). Then he closes with “For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” (6:32).

In between these two statements are the observations that are intended to appeal to our ability to reason. “Look at the birds of the air” and “Consider the lilies of the field.” God takes care of these lowly beings. How much more will he care for us, who are of far more value because we were made in his image. The reality is that worry adds nothing productive to our lives.