Be Industrious and Don’t Worry

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

What about tomorrow? Will I have enough to eat? Will I have anything to wear? When it came to food and clothing, Jesus told His disciples not to worry about it. I think the emphasis should be placed on worry. He didn’t say, “Don’t think about your needs.” Nor did He say, “Don’t plan ahead for your needs.” Rather, He said, “Don’t worry about them.”

Keep in mind that the biblical record is critical of lazy people (aka sluggard) - Proverbs 13:4; 15:19; 20:4, for examples. There is nothing wrong with being industrious to provide for the future. We are even encouraged to plan and work hard for the future just as the ant does [see Proverbs 6:6-8]. At the same time, we are not to worry about it. 

Worry is the way of the world. When Jesus told His disciples not to worry about food and clothing in the future, He said, “…the pagans run after all these things.” So why shouldn’t we worry about them too? “…your heavenly Father knows that you need them,” Jesus said. In other words, put God first and don’t worry about the rest.

The lives of many people revolve around the material. The problem is that material things never satisfy the deepest need of your life. What will satisfy, you ask? God, first and foremost in your life! He knows what you need, and will provide it, when you seek Him and His righteousness.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33