“And do not set your heart on what you will eat of drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows what you need them. But seek first his kingdom and these things will be added to you as well.” Luke 12: 29-31.
Where we set our focus tells us what our priorities are. By subtraction, we can tell what our most important issues are by what we have no time for as well. Security is a real big one on the list for everyone–not just the females who’s nesting instinct goes into hyperdrive when they look for a mate. I could probably go into all the reasons why we search for security, citing male and female differences and the like, but what good would it do? The truth as it is in Jesus speaks to one thing: Where do we set our hearts?
Jesus told us not to set our hearts on what we will eat, drink, or wear, implying that these things are not what we should worry about. Solomon claimed all man’s labor is for his stomach (Ecclesiastes 6:7) putting our base needs right at the top of our priorities. Jesus came to free us from this worry and take us back to the original plan: complete dependence on God. How that looks outside the philosophical discussion will depend on whether our understanding boils down to the practical or not.
Paul claimed, I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. And here is the kicker for it all: I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4: 12.
When he wrote this line, he was chained to a guard 24/7 and his personal freedom curtailed to the point of being nonexistent. As far as we know, this letter to the Philippians was written during his first imprisonment in Rome. This means that he faced a second trial and eventual execution later on. Yet the message could not be more poignant then than it is today.
We set our hearts on the things which last but a blink of an eye and many times totally put off that which is eternal. I’m wrestling with this right now in every aspect of my life as well. Balancing our performance with faith will always be an issue for we have lost that sense of God’s presence at all times since the fall. I wish I could say the struggle will go away, but I don’t think it does until we near death and stare it right in the face, then everything in our lives comes into sharp relief, changing our perspective forever.
I want my life to reflect this teaching. I have lived an understanding of it for the last 29 years that I have belonged to Jesus. In that time my POV has grown, adjusted and changed, sometimes drastically in areas, subtely in others. But whatever the change, I’ve learned that Jesus and Paul meant exactly what they said about the issue of finding security. We as believers have to find it in our eternal God, while doing our level best to work for our bread on earth. (Read the balance of faith in 2 Thessalonians 3: 12.)
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Psalm 57: 7
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracous and compassionate and righteous man. Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look with triumph on his foes. Psalm 112: 4-8.
Tags: anxiety, providence, provision, seek first the kingdom of God, worry
