And at the beginning of this chapter from the Gospel of Matthew, he cautioned them on the manner of giving alms, praying - taught the people the Lord's prayer, how to fast properly and how to lay up treasures in heaven. He also made mention of not serving two masters.
The question was also a rebuke and a challenge of whether to trust in God or trust in mammon. Mammon being defined as treasure or riches. The word is of Aramaic origin pertaining to confidence, "wealth personified"; another variation is mammonas that is avarice deified.
Thus we see here the question is whether "taking thought" can add one cubit to our stature meant if by being trouble with cares or seeking to promote one's interests will add to our physical height - literally - the answer is definitely "no".
When a person worries, that person loses trust in God because he is troubled by his self insufficiency. He/ she fails to see a God who provides and instead acknowledges a week man/ woman that needs to earn more, know more, be more than others.
What are the things people were taking though of according to Jesus Christ as written in that same chapter?
They were worried about FOOD and CLOTHING.
Jesus further told them that if the birds of the air neither reap or gather in a storehouse yet they are fed by God the Father and not one of them falls to the ground without the knowledge of God in his care, how much more will God take care of man's own needs for food.
Solomon in all his glory as king was never clothed in the majestic fibers of the lilies of the field and though these get burned in the end, their beauty surpasses the king's wardrobe.
Food and clothing are the things that the Gentiles - non-Jews - worry about.
The Jew must believe in the God of Israel who have set them apart as his people. They have seen the power of God - from their captivity in Egypt, their freedom, the capture of Canaan, their captivity in Babylon and their return. They have a God - Jehovah Jireh who provides for all their needs.
As believers in Jesus Christ, we declare that he is the only begotten son of God sent to save us from sin and in believing by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, we shall have everlasting life and enjoy the benefits of being adopted children, joint heirs with Israel.
In great wisdom, Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 6:8, "And having FOOD and RAIMENT (clothing) let us be therewith CONTENT", we should have no other concern in this world. (Emphasis mine.)
Our food and clothing are needs our God in heaven knows. He will provide.
The prayer Jesus Christ taught us asks - Our Father...give us this day our DAILY bread. Come to God the Father for your daily needs.
If we can trust the Lord for the salvation of our souls, from the destruction of the fiery pits of hell. Can we trust him for our DAILY BREAD?
If the answer is YES, we can trust him for such provisions then "therefore take no thought, saying What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?"
In application, come to God the Father each day and PRAY. Ask him to provide your needs. If you can trust him with your soul, can you trust him with your body? If you can trust him with something you can not see and believe, is it harder to have him work on the things see?
God bless you dear reader.
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