My Fort Knox-Part 3
Up to this point in Jesus' famous sermon, the disciples probably figured that the theme didn't have much to do with them. The majority were fishermen. They had no "treasure" as far as material things were concerned, so focusing on the Kingdom was easy—well, until they thought about the cost of the commitment they had made to their Rabbi.
Just a little while earlier, Jesus had taught them His prayer. In that prayer appears the phrase: "Give us today our daily bread" —Matthew 6:11. I imagine that this immediately sparked some chaotic thoughts in the minds of the men who had left their livelihood behind them to follow Christ. In the euphoria of the moment, they might not have not thought about how their families were going to survive without that income. That phrase in the prayer was a reminder of who they were dependent upon to meet those needs.
But Jesus knew that His followers would have moments of anxious concern about the practical realities of life, so He goes on in His sermon to build on that simple phrase from His prayer. He makes a promise to those who work for His Kingdom, and who live out His will at the cost of whatever might be their earthly treasure.
"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" —Matthew 6:31-33.
Now that's a promise that we can take to the bank.
Just a little while earlier, Jesus had taught them His prayer. In that prayer appears the phrase: "Give us today our daily bread" —Matthew 6:11. I imagine that this immediately sparked some chaotic thoughts in the minds of the men who had left their livelihood behind them to follow Christ. In the euphoria of the moment, they might not have not thought about how their families were going to survive without that income. That phrase in the prayer was a reminder of who they were dependent upon to meet those needs.
But Jesus knew that His followers would have moments of anxious concern about the practical realities of life, so He goes on in His sermon to build on that simple phrase from His prayer. He makes a promise to those who work for His Kingdom, and who live out His will at the cost of whatever might be their earthly treasure.
"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" —Matthew 6:31-33.
Now that's a promise that we can take to the bank.
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