Matthew 6:25 - Meaning and Application

There are few sins that the Lord Jesus warns his disciples against more often or more earnestly than anxious, distrustful care about the things of this life. Such worry is a bad sign, because it shows that both our treasure and our heart are on earth. That is why he presses this warning so strongly.

Here is the command itself. The Lord Jesus says we are not to be anxious about the things of this world. He speaks as our Lawgiver and the King over our hearts. He also speaks as our Comforter and the one who gives us joy. He says, “Do not worry about your life or your body” (Matthew 6:25). He also says, “Do not worry, asking, ‘What will we eat?’” (Matthew 6:31), and again, “Do not worry about tomorrow” (Matthew 6:34).

This warning is repeated three times, and that is not wasted speech. As Scripture often gives line upon line and precept upon precept, so Christ repeats this command because we are so prone to this sin. He wants us to live without anxious care, and he knows how deeply this matter touches us. He does not want his disciples to split their minds apart with worry over the world.

There is a kind of thought about daily life that is not only allowed, but required. A wise woman is praised for this kind of careful management (Proverbs 27:23). Paul also used this word for his care of the churches, and Timothy’s concern for the state of souls (2 Corinthians 11:28; Philippians 2:20). So the Lord is not forbidding all thought and planning. He is forbidding a troubling, restless worry that tears the mind back and forth, disturbs our joy in God, weakens our hope in him, breaks our sleep, and robs us of peace.

He is also forbidding a fearful, unbelieving kind of thought. God has promised to provide what his people need for life as well as godliness, for this present life, food, and clothing. He has promised necessities, not luxuries. He never promised that his people would be richly feasted, only that they would be fed. When we become overly anxious about the future, we are acting as if we do not believe God’s promises or trust his wisdom and goodness. That is the evil of it.

For present needs, we may and must use lawful means. We should work faithfully, live within our means, pray for daily bread, and, if needed, ask help from those who can give it. It is no virtue to be ashamed to receive help when necessary. But for what lies ahead, we must cast our care on God. To keep hoarding worry for the future looks like jealousy toward God, as if he would not know how to give us what we need when we do not yet know how to get it. Let our souls rest in him. This peaceful trust is like the sleep God gives his beloved, in contrast with the tiring labor of the worldly person (Psalm 127:2).

Notice the cautions in Christ’s words. “Do not worry about your life.” Life is our greatest concern in this world, since a person will give everything for it. Yet even so, we are not to be anxious about it. We are not to worry about how long it will last. That is for God to decide. He will lengthen or shorten our days as he sees fit, and our times are in his hand, which is a good hand. We are also not to worry over the comforts of this life. We must leave it to God to make life bitter or sweet as he pleases.

We must not be anxious even about the basic support of life, food and clothing. God has promised these, so we can trust him for them. We are not to speak as though we are helpless and nearly hopeless, saying, “What shall we eat?” Many good people may have little ahead of them, but most still have present help. Christ’s point is that we should not live in a fearful panic over tomorrow. We are not to be troubled about next year, old age, or what we will leave behind. As we must not boast about tomorrow, so we must not be consumed with care about tomorrow either.

“Look at the birds of the air and consider the lilies of the field.” Here Jesus gives an argument from God’s common providence, his ordinary care for even the lesser creatures, and their dependence on him in their own way. It is a sad thing that fallen people need to be sent to school to the birds, and that they have to teach us (Job 12:7, Job 12:8).

First, look at the birds and learn to trust God for food (Matthew 6:26). Do not trouble yourself with anxious thoughts about what you will eat. Notice God’s care for them. There are many kinds of birds, some of them wild, but all are fed with the right kind of food. It is rare for any of them to die from lack of food, even in winter, though feeding them all year takes much provision. Birds are least useful to humans, and humans usually eat them rather than feed them, yet they are fed in ways we cannot explain. Some are even fed best in the hardest weather. Your heavenly Father feeds them. He knows all the wild birds of the mountains better than you know the tame ones at your own barn door (Psalm 50:11). Not even a sparrow falls to the ground while picking up a grain of corn except by God’s providence, which reaches even the smallest creatures.

What stands out here is that birds are fed without planning ahead for themselves. They do not sow, reap, or gather into barns. The ant and the bee do those things, and they are set before us as examples of care and industry, but birds do not. They make no provision for the future, yet every day provision is made for them. Their eyes wait on God, the great and good Housekeeper who gives food to all living things.

Use this to strengthen your trust in God. Are you not much better than they? Yes, certainly you are. The heirs of heaven are much better than the birds of heaven. They are nobler and more excellent beings, and by faith they rise higher. They are of a better nature and upbringing, and wiser than the birds of heaven (Job 35:11). Even though worldly people, who do not know God’s ways, are not as wise as the stork, crane, and swallow (Jeremiah 8:7), you are dearer to God and closer to him. The birds have him as their Master and Owner, but he is your Father too. In his eyes, you are worth more than many sparrows. You are his children, his firstborn. Surely he who feeds his birds will not let his children go hungry.

The birds trust your Father’s care, and should not you trust it too? Because they depend on him, they are not worried about tomorrow. In that freedom, they live more cheerfully than many creatures. They sing among the branches (Psalm 104:12), and they praise their Creator as well as they can. If we trusted God in faith and stopped fretting about tomorrow like they do, we would sing more freely too. Worldly care damages our joy, dims our gladness, and quiets our praise more than anything else.

Next, look at the lilies and learn to trust God for clothing. Clothing is another concern of ours, for decency, for warmth, and with many people, for dignity and display. So many are concerned with variety and elegance in dress that this worry returns almost as often as the need for daily bread. To ease that burden, Jesus tells us to consider the lilies of the field. Do not just look at them, which anyone can do with pleasure, but really think about them. There is much good to learn from what we see every day if we would only think about it (Proverbs 6:6; Proverbs 24:32).

Consider how fragile the lilies are. They are grass of the field. Though lilies are lovely and distinct in color, they are still only grass. So all flesh is like grass. Even the people who are gifted in body and mind, and admired like lilies, are still grass by nature and makeup. They stand on the same level as others. Human life, at best, is like grass, like the flower of the grass (1 Peter 1:24). Grass is here today and tomorrow thrown into the oven. In a little while, the place that knew us will know us no more. The grave is the oven into which we will be cast and consumed like grass in the fire (Psalm 49:14). This is one reason not to worry about tomorrow and what we shall wear, since by tomorrow we may need grave clothes instead.

Consider also how free from care the lilies are. They do not work and struggle as people do to earn clothing, as servants do for their uniforms, or spin thread as women do to make garments. That does not mean we should neglect our proper work in this life or do it carelessly. Scripture praises the virtuous woman because she works with her hands, makes fine linen, and sells it (Proverbs 31:19, Proverbs 31:24). Idleness is a way of testing God instead of trusting him. But the God who provides for lesser creatures without their labor will surely provide for us as well, by blessing the labor he has made our duty. And if sickness makes us unable to work or spin, God can still supply what we need.

Consider how beautiful the lilies are, and how they grow. Think about what they grow from. In winter, the root of the lily or tulip is hidden and buried under the ground, yet when spring comes it rises quickly. That is why God promises Israel that they will grow like the lily (Hosea 14:5). Consider also what they grow into. In just a few weeks they become so lovely that even Solomon, in all his glory, was not dressed like one of them. Solomon’s clothing was grand and royal. He had great wealth and loved splendor, so no doubt he wore the finest garments that could be made, especially on feast days. Yet for all his finery, he fell far short of the beauty of the lilies, and a bed of tulips outshines him.

So we should long more for the wisdom of Solomon, in which he was surpassed by none, wisdom for doing our duty in our place, than for the glory of Solomon, in which the lilies surpassed him. Knowledge and grace are what perfect a person, not beauty, and much less expensive clothing. God is said here to clothe the grass of the field. All the goodness and beauty in a creature flow from God, the source of every good thing. He gave strength to the horse and beauty to the lily. Every creature is, both for itself and for us, what he makes it to be.

All of this teaches us a lesson, as Matthew 6:30 shows.

As for fine clothing, this teaches us not to worry about it, crave it, or take pride in it. We should not make our clothes our main beauty, because the lilies far outshine us. We cannot dress as finely as they do, so why try to compete with them? Their beauty will not last, and neither will ours. They bloom today and are thrown away tomorrow, just like rubbish burned in an oven. The clothes we brag about also wear out. Their shine fades, their color weakens, their style passes, and in time the garment itself falls apart. That is what happens to all human splendor (Isaiah 40:6-7), especially rich people (James 1:10). They fade away while they go about their lives.

As for necessary clothing, this teaches us to leave that care with God, Jehovah-jireh, meaning “the Lord will provide.” Trust the God who clothes the lilies to give you what you need to wear. If he gives such lovely clothing to grass, he will much more give fitting clothes to his own children. He will give clothes that keep them warm, not only when he sends gentle weather, but even when he sends harsh weather (Job 37:17). He will much more clothe you, because you are nobler creatures, made for a higher purpose. If he clothes short-lived grass so well, he will surely clothe you, who are made for immortality. Even the children of Nineveh were valued more than the gourd (Jonah 4:10-11), and God values the sons of Zion, who are in covenant with him, even more.

Notice the title Jesus gives them, “you of little faith” (Matthew 6:30). This can encourage true faith, even when it is weak. Even small faith brings us under God’s care and his promise of what we need. Strong faith is praised and may receive greater gifts, but weak faith is not rejected. It still receives food and clothing. True believers will be cared for, even if they are not strong believers. The youngest children in a family are fed and clothed too, often with special care. So do not say, “I am only a child, or only a dry tree” (Isaiah 56:3, 5), for even if you are poor and needy, the Lord thinks of you.

But this also serves as a rebuke to weak faith, even when that faith is real (Matthew 14:31). It shows what lies behind all our restless worry, namely, the weakness of our faith and the remains of unbelief. If we trusted God more, we would worry less.

Who among you, even the wisest and strongest, can add one cubit to his height by worrying? (Matthew 6:27) Some take this to mean adding to his age, but the measure of a cubit points to height. In any case, even the longest life is only a brief span (Psalm 39:5). Think about this. We did not reach our present height by our own planning or care, but by God’s providence. A baby only a span long grows into a full-grown man, and how did one cubit after another get added? Not by his own foresight or effort. He grew without knowing how, by the power and goodness of God. The one who made our bodies and gave them their size will surely care for them. So God should be honored for the growth of our strength and height, and trusted for all needed supplies, because he has shown that he cares for the body.

Youth is often the least thoughtful time of life, yet we still grow. Shall not the one who raised us to this point provide for us now that we are grown? Also, we cannot change our height if we want to. How foolish it would be for a short man to lose sleep and wear out his mind trying to become taller, when he knows he cannot do it. He would do better to accept his size and live with it. We are not all the same height, but the difference is not very important. A short person may wish to be tall like someone else, but he knows it is useless, so he makes the best of what he has.

We should treat our worldly estate the same way. We should not crave more wealth any more than we would crave an extra cubit of height, which would only make life harder. It is enough to grow by inches. Too much wealth may only make a person awkward and burdened. We must also make peace with our condition, just as we make peace with our height. We should weigh the comforts against the troubles and make the best of what cannot be changed. We cannot change God’s ordering, so we must accept it, fit ourselves to it, and relieve hardships as best we can, as Zacchaeus did with his short stature by climbing a tree.

After all these things, the Gentiles seek them (Matthew 6:32). Worrying about worldly things is a heathen kind of sin and does not fit Christians. Gentiles seek these things because they know no better. They are eager for this world because they do not know a better one. They chase these things anxiously because they live without God in the world and do not understand his providence. They fear and serve their idols, but they do not know how to trust them for rescue or supply, so they are full of worry. It is a shame for Christians, who have better ground to stand on and profess a faith that teaches not only that God rules, but also that he has given promises for this present life. That faith teaches confidence in God and a healthy disregard for the world, with strong reasons for both. It is shameful for believers to live like Gentiles and fill their minds and hearts with these things.

Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things, food and clothing. He knows our needs better than we do. Though he is in heaven and his children are on earth, he notices what even the least and poorest of them lacks (Revelation 2:9). “I know your poverty.” You might think that if a good friend knew your troubles, you would quickly get help. Your God already knows them, and he is your Father, who loves you, pities you, and is ready to help you. He is your heavenly Father, with enough to supply every need. So cast off anxious thoughts. Go to your Father and tell him that he knows you need these things. He even asks his disciples, “Children, do you have any fish?” (John 21:5). Tell him whether you have need or not. He knows our needs, yet he will hear them from us. Then let us cheerfully trust his wisdom, power, and goodness to provide.

So we should ease ourselves of this burden by casting it on God, because he cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). Why all this fuss? If he cares, why should we carry the worry? Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Here is a double argument against the sin of anxious worry: do not worry about your life, your bodily life. First, you have greater and better things to think about, your soul and your eternal happiness. That is the one thing needed (Luke 10:42), and it should fill the thoughts of people whose hearts are often taken up with worldly cares. If we were more careful to please God and work out our own salvation, we would be less eager to please ourselves and build an estate in the world.

Worrying about the soul is the best cure for worry about the world. Second, you have a surer, easier, safer, and shorter way to get what you need for this life than by fretting over it. That way is to seek first the kingdom of God and make religion your main work. Do not say this is the road to want. It is the road to being well supplied, even in this world.

Notice the great duty required. It is the sum of our whole duty: “Seek first the kingdom of God.” Keep religion as your main concern. Our duty is to seek, to desire, pursue, and aim at these things. The phrase carries much grace for us in the new covenant. Though we have not reached the goal, and though we often fail, sincere seeking, careful concern, and earnest effort are accepted.

Notice the object of this seeking, the kingdom of God and his righteousness. We must set our hearts on heaven as our goal and holiness as our path. Seek the blessings of the kingdom of grace and glory as your happiness. Aim at the kingdom of heaven. Press toward it. Be diligent to make it sure. Refuse to settle for less. Seek glory, honor, and immortality. Value heaven and heavenly blessings far above earthly pleasures. We make little of religion if we do not make heaven out of it. Along with the happiness of that kingdom, seek its righteousness, the righteousness God requires in us and works through us, a righteousness greater than that of the scribes and Pharisees. We must pursue peace and holiness (Hebrews 12:14).

Notice also the order, “seek first the kingdom of God.” Give care for your soul and the world to come the first place above all other cares. Make the concerns of this life serve the life to come. We must seek Christ’s things more than our own. If they ever compete, remember which deserves the higher place. Seek these things first in your days. Let the morning of youth be given to God. Wisdom should be sought early, and it is good to begin being religious while young. Seek them first each day. Let your waking thoughts be of God. Let this be our rule, to do first what is most needful, and let him who is First have the first place.

The promise joined to this command is gracious: “all these things” that is, the needed supports of life, “shall be added to you.” They will be given over and above. You will have what you seek, the kingdom of God and his righteousness, for no one has ever sought in earnest and sought in vain. And beyond that, you will have food and clothing as extra gifts, like a buyer who receives paper and string in the bargain. Godliness has promise for the life that now is (1 Timothy 4:8). Solomon asked for wisdom, and God gave him that and more besides (2 Chronicles 1:11-12).

What a blessed change it would make in our hearts and lives if we truly believed this, that the best way to be well provided for in this world is to be most focused on the next world. We begin at the right end when we begin with God. If we work to make sure of the kingdom of God and its righteousness, then for all the things of this life the Lord will provide as much as he sees fit, and we should want no more. Have we trusted him for our inheritance at the end, and will we not trust him for our portion on the way? God’s people were not only brought to Canaan in the end, but their needs were carried through the wilderness.

We should care more about the things that are unseen and eternal, and then we would care less, and need to care less, about the things that are seen and temporary. Also, “do not concern yourselves with your stuff” (Genesis 45:20, 23).

Tomorrow will take care of its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34). We must not distress ourselves too much about future events, because every day brings its own burdens of care and trouble. If we look around and do not let fear drive away the help that grace and reason offer, each day also brings its own strength and supply.

So we are taught, first, that worrying about tomorrow is needless. Let tomorrow worry about its own things. If needs and troubles are renewed with the day, so are help and provision. Mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). The saints have a Friend who is their strength each morning and gives fresh help daily (Isaiah 33:2), as each day’s work requires (Ezra 3:4). In this way, God keeps his people depending on him. Let us leave tomorrow’s strength for tomorrow’s work and tomorrow’s burden. Tomorrow, and its needs, will be provided for without us. Why should we worry about what God has already wisely cared for?

This does not forbid sensible planning and preparation. It forbids anxious concern and a mind full of imagined troubles and disasters that may never come. And if they do come, they may be easier to bear than we feared. The meaning is this: attend to present duty, and leave outcomes to God. Do today’s work today, and let tomorrow bring its own work.

Second, worry about tomorrow is one of the foolish and harmful cravings into which people who want to be rich fall, and one of the many sorrows by which they pierce themselves through. Each day already has enough trouble. We do not need to pile burdens on ourselves by borrowing trouble from tomorrow. It is not even certain what tomorrow’s troubles will be, but whatever they are, it is time enough to worry about them when they arrive.

What a foolish thing it is to take on today the trouble that belongs to another day, and will not be any lighter when it comes. Let us not drag all that burden onto ourselves at once, when providence has wisely arranged for it to be carried in portions.

The conclusion of the whole matter is this: it is the will and command of the Lord Jesus that his disciples should not torment themselves. They should not make their path through this world darker and more unpleasant by fearing troubles before they come, when God has only appointed the troubles themselves. Through our daily prayers, we may receive strength to carry us through our daily burdens and to guard us against the temptations that come with them. Then let nothing disturb us.