Do not fret—it only causes harm

Psalm 37:8
Do not fret—it only causes harm.

How true is this statement. Trust this - God knows best. He has told us not to worry. Remember the illustration of how God cares of the birds and the lilies and provides for them. Since we are more than those, God's care for us is so much more than that. Any kind of worry and fretting is an indication that we still do not trust God enough or that we don't really understand Him. If we start to realise this, then it can be the beginning of building up our faith in God.

Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life

Matthew 6:25 
 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry 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?

God had told us to seek first His Kingdom. The other things that we need in life will be provided by Him. This is also a test of faith that many would not care to admit. However it is more than just a test. The motive is obvious, we cannot do many things at once. If we are called to do God's work, then to do it properly means we would not have time to do other things. Those other things are necessary for survival, which is why God will attend to them so that we can concentrate on the work He has assigned us.

Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on

Matthew 6:25
Therefore I say to you, do not worry 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?

A simple statement from our Lord Yshua not to worry about our life - in particular not to worry about providing for our life; because He is the Provider Jehovah Jireh. Even many of our friends may give us the "do not worry" advice as a general sweeping advice. However when Yshua said it, he also meant that we can trust that He will provide - this is the reason that we do not need to worry for ourselves.

Yshua's advice of not to worry, specifically targets the fundamental needs of human beings, which are food and clothing. He could have chosen other things to tell us not to worry about. Instead, He chose these fundamental items of life itself to tell us that He is fully in control of our lives and is able to provide for our most essential needs. It is when we have the faith in Yshua, then this freedom from worry allows us to do greater things for Him.

Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?

Jesus explains that in leaven represents hypocrisy, especially relating to the Pharisees. Although we may hide things, but in the end it will be revealed. Jesus also teaches us to fear God rather than people who can harm us physically, because our eternal life depends on God. We are to confess our faith in Jesus and not deny Him. This may also related to the warning of not blaspheming against the Holy Spirit. He will also tell us what to say if we are questioned by authorities.

A man asks Jesus to judge in a possession dispute but Jesus refuses. Instead He warns against covetousness and tells of the parable of the rich fool who store his riches but lost everything when they were burned. Jesus leads this into the teaching about not to worry because God in His infinite glory will provide all that is needed. The two great verses here are:
v31. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things[c] shall be added to you.
v34. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Jesus teaches about the faithful servant who keeps watch and are prepared. He refers this to His Second Coming that it will be like a thief in the night. Then Peter asked whether Jesus was teaching this to his disciples, or if this is meant for all people to hear and do. Jesus answered indirectly that those who know Him, and yet does not obey His Word when the Master is not around, they will be punished. Jesus again used the saying that to those who have more will be given, those who have not, whatever they have will be taken. This context shows that the saying is about faith. Those who have more faith and acts on it, more will be given.

Jesus spoke realistically that He came here to bring division not peace. This is the division caused by those who follow him with those who deny and object to Him. Jesus also rebukes the people for not watching and knowing the time, especially refers to the end of times. Jesus also teaches to settle disputes quickly and not drag on in the court system, even in those days.




Luke 12
Beware of Hypocrisy

1 In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

Jesus Teaches the Fear of God

4 “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!

6 “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins?[a] And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Confess Christ Before Men

8 “Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. 9 But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

10 “And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.

11 “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

The Parable of the Rich Fool

13 Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

14 But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” 15 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness,[b] for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’

21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Do Not Worry

22 Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. 23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? 25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 26 If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?

29 “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. 30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. 31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things[c] shall be added to you.

32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant

35 “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; 36 and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. 38 And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and[d] not allowed his house to be broken into. 40 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

41 Then Peter said to Him, “Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?”

42 And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. 45 But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

Christ Brings Division

49 “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! 51 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 52 For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

Discern the Time

54 Then He also said to the multitudes, “Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is. 55 And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is. 56 Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?

Make Peace with Your Adversary

57 “Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right? 58 When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite.”

Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you

Jesus continues His teaching and this chapter reveals a few of them. Two things which God loves people to do is to be charitable to others such as by giving and to pray to God. However, here Jesus warns people against doing these two things if their motive is mainly to show to others. Instead Jesus suggest to give generously and pray as discreetly as possible, ideally without anyone knowing except God. Here also Jesus gives us a template for prayer, which is commonly known as the Lord's prayer.

A few other wise teachings include:
- Fasting, like being charitable or praying, should be done in secret. In fact Jesus suggest to wash our face when fasting so we would look fresh and be energetic.
- Do not store treasure on earth because it is corruptible. Instead store treasures in heaven. Our heart is where our treasure is.
- The eye is the lamp of the body. Whether the heart is in the light or darkness can affect or be affected by the eye.
- Man cannot serve two masters. More specifically, our treasure cannot be God and money. It is usually one or the other.

The other main point of Jesus took three paragraphs is the topic of worry. Jesus gives many reasons to encourage people not to worry. Worrying does not improve our situation by one bit. Also we are so much more important to God than the birds or the lilies, and since God takes care of them, He will also care and provide for us, so we have no reason to worry. We should not worry about food, clothes and other provisions or security that the unbelievers will worry about. Instead Jesus calls on us to first seek the Kingdom of God, then all the provisions will be given to us by God.




Matthew 6
Do Good to Please God

1 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.[a]

The Model Prayer

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.[b] 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.[c]
14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Fasting to Be Seen Only by God

16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.[d]

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The Lamp of the Body

22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

You Cannot Serve God and Riches

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Do Not Worry

25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry 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, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.