Still thinking about Matthew 6:25-34
- Vicent Nemeyimana
- September 9, 2017
- Motivation and Inspiration
Instead, I find it both spiritually and morally unwise to live your life just for food, clothes and drinks! I know this is surprising but let’s look into it. And yes, Jesus says it Himself; “Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes”.
I have been thinking about these words and here are my thoughts (what I believe God is showing me). Looking at those verses, the point Jesus is making is easy; true and faithful followers of Christ need not put money or wealth ahead of God. Jesus is saying that our hearts should focus on obeying God’s will (kingdom) and leave the rest under His care. And really, that is plain and easy to everyone. He insists that when our souls or hearts are in service to God, then our lives can lighten up (Matthew 6:22-23).
It seems to me that the above dimension of the verses is common and understood and agreed upon by almost all bible scholars, but let’s look at it in another way and see if the same word of God shall inform some of our actions (this is real theology; I am starting with what we do and then bible verses in support of it).
Jesus uses an example of food, drink, and clothes as examples of the things we worry about not because they are the only ones we should worry about but maybe because they are the commonest, basics, and worry everyone no matter the level of power, fame or success. Also, when He asks us not to concern ourselves (occupy our lives) with the search or collection of food, drinks, and clothes, He is ultimately pointing to all man’s activities that may displace God’s place in our lives and not necessarily food, drinks and clothes (after all, all man’s activities end up being about food, clothes and drinks).
Jesus is not limiting our needs to food, drink, and clothes only, but He is simply summarizing our needs for they all usually end up serving our bodies in the three forms described above. But His point (Don’t get occupied with earthly riches or don’t pursue earthly wealth but God’s kingdom; see verses 19-21) applies to anything earthly that could displace Him in our hearts. Jesus is not saying that all He cares about is our basics of food, clothes and drinks only (there are many who don’t even have those basics and so many more who are above the basics. And they both serve one God).
But (like I already pointed out) we solved the above issue already and we both agreed that God is simply asking us not make riches, wealth, power (or even poverty, living within basics or any other painful sacrifice) the point or the end goal or the general motive of our lives or our struggles but let God be God in everything. And as Paul says, everything we do or say should be to obey Christ (Colossians 3:17) or His other advice; “if you eat or drink, or if you do anything, do it for God’s glory” (1 Corinthians 10:31). And friends, everything is everything. And God’s glory can be revealed through wealth, riches, power, and fame too. This is pretty clear and not disrupting.
The New Angle From The Same Verses
And here is the disruption. I have a new angle; it is actually unwise to have your life measured by absence or presence of food, clothes, and drink only unless it is clear between you and God that you were called for that (Mark my words). Some are called to become great scientists and save our world, others are called to become too rich and bless others with jobs and support or nothing, others are called to have time to only study God’s word and preach it and be supported with what to eat, drink or wear only (the basics in the real definition) but we all serve one God.
Anyway, God is calling upon us to live out the potentials He entrusted with us (to be spiritually exact; God is saying that to gain eternal life is much better than gaining anything in this world). Jesus says, life is more than food (verse 25) and indeed it is. Even though we like extending such a point to only spiritual realm (which is okay and true), God is saying we should trust Him with our lives and stop worrying about life as if we can save it ourselves. And He can bless us with much more than just food, drinks and clothes if He wills, but what is even more important is the blessing of everlasting life (this is motivational and inspiration and, I suppose, biblical).
The preachers of “prosperity gospel”, miracles, motivational and Christian inspirational speakers (some) are simply calling upon Christians to rediscover their true identity as sons and daughters of God who are victorious and need to live their potentials and reveal God’s glory through serving their calls or purposes. And we sometimes attack such message, not knowing we are attacking God Himself. Of course, some of them are false, over lifting the potentials over God who gives them.
What am I saying? I am saying it is biblical to be inspired and motivated by God’s word (the bible) to exploit our potentials, knowledge, talents, and abilities to the highest limits as God can carry us and achieve things (mind you, here on earth) that are far beyond only food, clothes, and drinks. The bible (from Genesis to Revelation) is full of verses that are specifically motivational, inspirational and encouraging God’s people (Joshua, Moses, Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah and Nehemiah, and young preachers like Timothy and many more) to exploit every gift and potential that God has entrusted them with and achieve much more (yes, all meant to finally glorify God).
My question is; isn’t motivational or inspirational preaching biblical? (Listen, I don’t mean setting up a church and the whole mission of the church is about encouraging people to achieve more in education
, science and business. I am talking of standing on the pulpit One Sunday or two or even a month and the message is; God is with you and He wants to help you in life, trust Him, be positive about Him and life and find the good things He has prepared for you). Is that message wrong or unbiblical in itself or the intention or the major purpose is what makes it wrong? Think about it.
, science and business. I am talking of standing on the pulpit One Sunday or two or even a month and the message is; God is with you and He wants to help you in life, trust Him, be positive about Him and life and find the good things He has prepared for you). Is that message wrong or unbiblical in itself or the intention or the major purpose is what makes it wrong? Think about it.
When we blindly attack any message calling upon Christians to find and live a successful life through Jesus as He grants it to us, we are limiting God to some kind of life we think God’s will or purpose can be served best. But Jesus is saying NO, there is more to life than just food and drinks, He has a lot more for us if we trusted Him and this includes spiritual development and anything else.
GOD BLESS YOU
