Don’t Worry

Of all the scriptures on the topics of money and work, Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount rank among the Bible’s most frequently cited passages. Unfortunately, they are also often misused to imply that Jesus was against money or that He considered everyday work a distraction from spiritual matters.

A careful reading of the text shows that Jesus condemned not work but worry (Matt. 6:25, 27, 28, 31, 34). He did not tell us to quit our daily labors but to have faith in God as the ultimate provider of our needs (6:32). God provides for us in many ways — including through our everyday jobs.

God makes us responsible for looking after our physical and material needs to the best of our abilities. But Jesus urged us not to let worry about these things overtake our minds and corrupt our values. We cannot serve God effectively if we are consumed by anxiety. Instead of worrying over what might happen, we should work toward what will happen—everything will fall into place as long as we “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (6:33).

Taken from The Modern Life Study Bible