A Study of Matthew 6:24-33A Study of Matthew 6:24-33

The Problem•Anxiety (Worry)- It was a problem then and it’s a problem now!

•Millions if not Billions of dollars are spent on the worry of provision.

Matthew 6:24-33““No one can serve two masters, for either he No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. “Therefore You cannot serve God and money. “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than life more than food, and the body more than clothing? clothing?

Matthew 6:24-33Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. arrayed like one of these.

Matthew 6:24-33 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, But if God so clothes the grass of the field,

which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”all these things will be added to you.”

The Solution • He says you cannot serve God AND money. (24)He says you cannot serve God AND money. (24)

• He teaches the great value of the individual to God. (25-He teaches the great value of the individual to God. (25-26)26)

• He then teaches the utter futility of anxiety. (27)He then teaches the utter futility of anxiety. (27)

• Then, the providential care of God. (28-30)Then, the providential care of God. (28-30)

• He commands, Do not be anxious, Seek first the kingdom. He commands, Do not be anxious, Seek first the kingdom. (31-33)(31-33)

• Finally, the benefit, “all these things shall be added unto Finally, the benefit, “all these things shall be added unto you.” (33)you.” (33)

How…How…

Learning to Trust in GodLearning to Trust in God

General Providence General Providence

Learning to Trust in GodLearning to Trust in God

General ProvidenceGeneral Providence

• God generally provides to all, God generally provides to all, Matt. 5:45..

• God is good to all, God is good to all, Psa. 145:9. “The . “The Lord is good to all and his tender Lord is good to all and his tender mercies are over all his works.”mercies are over all his works.”

• Gives rain and fruitful seasons, Gives rain and fruitful seasons, Acts 14:17..

• God’s general providence is God’s general providence is testimony to the fact that God is and testimony to the fact that God is and He loves mankind.He loves mankind.

Our Own WorkOur Own Work

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Our Own WorkOur Own Work• In the Roman empire of the 1st In the Roman empire of the 1st

century it was scandalous for a century it was scandalous for a free citizen to work. This free citizen to work. This required the public dole in required the public dole in Rome.Rome.

• God’s plan is for man to work God’s plan is for man to work for his bread, for his bread, 2 Thess. 3:10-12..

• Work to provide for family, Work to provide for family, 1 Tim. 5:8

• Work to give, Work to give, Eph. 4:28..

Our GivingOur Giving

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Our GivingOur Giving• Give and it shall be given unto you, Give and it shall be given unto you,

Luke 6:38..• Jesus was recipient, Jesus was recipient, Luke 8:2-3; ;

Matt. 27:55..• This may partially explain, This may partially explain,

Mark 10:29-30..• Why the great care for the Why the great care for the

Jerusalem church? Jerusalem church? Acts 11:28-30; ; Acts 2:44-45. It was the brethren . It was the brethren from Judea who had possessions from Judea who had possessions and goods.and goods.

Our AskingOur Asking

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Our Asking- of GodOur Asking- of God

• Give us this day our daily bread, Give us this day our daily bread, Matt. 6:11; ; Luke 11:3..

• Have not because ye ask not, Have not because ye ask not, James 4:2.James 4:2.

• Persistence in asking, Matt. 7:7-Persistence in asking, Matt. 7:7-11; Luke 18:1-5.11; Luke 18:1-5.

Our Asking- of MenOur Asking- of Men• ““Give to him that asketh thee,” Give to him that asketh thee,”

Matt. 5:42.Matt. 5:42.• Ask of brethren who are taught Ask of brethren who are taught

to give, Matt. 25:35-40.to give, Matt. 25:35-40.• Rich, to be willing to distribute, Rich, to be willing to distribute,

1 Tim. 6:17-19.1 Tim. 6:17-19.• Do good unto all men, esp. of the Do good unto all men, esp. of the

household of faith, Gal. 6:10.household of faith, Gal. 6:10.

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“ “I have been young, and I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” begging bread.”

(Psalm 37:25)(Psalm 37:25)