Matthew 6:34—Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-7:28), is a most provocative message in which Jesus challenges our religious notions with God’s laser-piercing truth. “Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (6:28) “If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away.” (6:29a) “But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” (6:22b).
Matthew 6:25-34 is an exhortation against little faith. The evidence of this weakness is worry which culminates in verse 34 with a preoccupation in how one will live tomorrow. Yet I wonder if many don’t float by Jesus’ discourse on rafts of smugness gaily asserting, “I’m not a worrier, therefore, this passage really doesn’t apply to me.” Stop! Consider for a moment that worry is not so much hyper-concern as it is a lack of trust in God. This deficiency can be evidenced in rather startling ways. Jesus in modern terms is saying, “you materially-focused folks need to get a heavenly clue.”
If I were an agnostic I would heavily invest in insurance. If this life was all I had to live for securities would be vital. But why do Christians need so much insurance? Why are God’s children putting away more each month for retirement than tithing for God’s work? Is it because we really aren’t convinced God will take care of us? Is it easier to put away our resources to cover unforeseen tragedies than to commit to sacrificially love one another? Are we more concerned about losing all we have but can’t take, than remembering what we gain that can never be lost? Do we eschew the responsibility of establishing a caring community—the village of saints that honor sharing, are unintimidated by the specter of suffering, and who epitomize an Acts 4:32-35 reality? Is it because we have deified common sense at the expense of uncommon obedience? Are we basically selfish?
How can one pray in sincerity, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” who is not prepared to live sacrificially, give generously, walk with a God-honoring faith, and focus on today with no fear for tomorrow? Insurance is a necessity and a part of our society. We must render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s. But we must never forget, it is not Caesar whom we will give an account of our resources. It is not Caesar who will judge us. It is God we will bow before. Now is a good time to listen to His Son who explains rather succinctly, His #1 insurance plan—Matthew 6:33!
Inspiration
