Matthew 6:26-33 New International Version (NIV)
26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Much More Valuable
Matt. 6: 33 suggests to seek first the kingdom of God and “all these things” will be given to you as well. Teaching an adult Sunday school class the concept of God’s provision for us, I shared that this verse was a source of encouragement to me but also a puzzle. I struggled all my life with “What were these things?” Were they material, spiritual or general provisions of both?
One of my students, my thirty something son, with his dry sense of humor said, “Well, how are we going to determine that in a few minutes in class if you haven’t figured it out in a lifetime?”
Ten years later I realize that the much more of my heavenly Father has indeed provided “these things” in abundance – not only the tangible needs like my feathered friends of food, drink and clothes but also the many blessings of family, friends and constant nourishment from God’s word and communion with His Spirit.
Writing our life journey Shekinah Lane helped me to renew the magnitude of this concept. If we seek God with all our hearts he will provide “all these things” in our lives as we know how much more valuable we are to God.
