Trust seek and rest in God finding freedom from anxiety in Matthew 6:31-34
Matthew 6:31-34
31. “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ Or ‘What shall we drink?’ Or ‘What shall we wear?’
32. For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
33. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Introduction
Life is full of uncertainties, and it’s natural for people to worry about their daily needs — food, clothing, shelter, and the future. In Matthew 6:31-34, Jesus addresses these concerns in His famous Sermon on the Mount, reminding His followers not to be consumed by anxiety. He encourages them to shift their focus from worrying about temporary things to seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness. Jesus assures that when we make God our priority, He will provide for our needs and give us peace about the future. This passage is a powerful reminder that trusting God and living one day at a time can free us from the burden of worry and allow us to experience God’s faithful provision.
Background and Context
These verses come from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew 5-7, where Jesus addresses a large Jewish audience. At this time, the Jewish people were living under Roman oppression and eagerly waiting for a Messiah who would deliver them politically and establish an earthly kingdom. However, Jesus' message presented a different kind of kingdom — one that is spiritual, calling for a transformation of the heart and mind.
Matthew’s Gospel is uniquely aimed at a Jewish audience, with the primary goal of demonstrating that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah foretold in the Old Testament. As a former tax collector and follower of Jesus, Matthew emphasises Jesus’ fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies and seeks to encourage both Jews inside and outside the church to place their faith in Jesus as the Saviour who grants eternal life.
In Matthew 4:17, Jesus begins His public ministry by proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” His focus throughout the Sermon on the Mount is to redefine what it means to live righteously in God’s kingdom. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus addresses the common human tendency to worry about material needs such as food, drink, and clothing. He challenges His followers to adopt a different perspective — one where trust in God replaces anxious striving after temporary things.
Explanation of the Passage
Jesus says, “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’” The Greek word used here is merimnaó which means to be anxious, worried, or overly concerned. Jesus was addressing a common mindset where people were preoccupied with daily survival and material needs.
He reminds them that “the Gentiles seek after all these things.” Gentiles, in this context, refers to those who do not know or follow the true God. Their pursuit of material needs reflects a life that is focused on worldly concerns rather than spiritual priorities. But for the people of Israel, they had a Heavenly Father who deeply knew their needs and cared for them.
This statement also serves as a historical reminder of how God provided for the Israelites during their 40 years in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. During that period, God faithfully supplied manna, quail, and water. Their clothes and sandals did not wear out (Deuteronomy 29:5). Just as God had provided for their ancestors, He promises to provide for His people now.
By highlighting God’s omniscience and providence, Jesus encourages His listeners to trust in God’s faithful provision. He reminds them that their worry is unnecessary because God already knows what they need.
Jesus then shifts the focus from worry to priority:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
The Greek word zéteó used for “seek” implies an active, diligent, and intentional pursuit. Jesus is calling His followers to realign their priorities and focus their efforts on the kingdom of God — the realm where God’s will and righteousness prevail. To seek first means to place God’s will, His purposes, and His ways above all else. For the Israelites, this meant returning to wholehearted obedience to God and forsaking their pursuit of worldly things.
“His righteousness” refers to the moral and ethical standards that God desires from His people. It involves living according to God’s commands, displaying His character, and walking in holiness. Jesus promises that “all these things will be added to you” — meaning that when we align our lives with God’s kingdom, He will graciously provide for our material needs as well.
This is not a prosperity promise where good works guarantee blessings, but rather a reordering of priorities. When God becomes our primary focus, He takes care of the things we would otherwise worry about.
Jesus concludes this teaching by addressing future anxiety:
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Jesus acknowledges that life has its own set of daily challenges and encourages His followers to live in the present, trusting God one day at a time. Worrying about the future adds unnecessary stress and distracts from today’s responsibilities.
The phrase “sufficient for the day is its own trouble” acknowledges that each day presents its own unique challenges and difficulties. Jesus encourages His listeners to tackle today’s tasks with trust and confidence in God, knowing that tomorrow is in His hands. This teaching resonates with the Lord’s Prayer earlier in Matthew 6:11, where Jesus teaches us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Our dependence on God should be a daily habit, rather than an anxious obsession with the future.
Illustration: The Two Farmers
Two farmers lived in a village that relied on rainfall for their crops. Both worked hard to prepare their fields and plant their seeds.
One farmer spent his days worrying about the weather. He constantly looked at the sky, wondering if it would rain. His mind was filled with anxious thoughts like, “What if it doesn’t rain? What if the crops fail? How will I provide for my family?” Even while working, his heart was heavy with fear about things beyond his control.
The other farmer took a different approach. He also worked diligently in his fields, but instead of worrying, he chose to trust. He did his part, preparing the soil and planting the seeds, and then prayed, “I’ve done what I can. I trust that God will send the rain at the right time.”
When it finally rained, both farmers saw a plentiful harvest. But while one experienced peace and trust throughout the season, the other had wasted his energy worrying about something he couldn’t change.
Like the second farmer, Jesus invites us to seek God first and trust Him for what we cannot control. Worrying does not change the outcome — it only steals our peace. When we do our part and leave the rest to God, we can experience His provision and His peace.
Theological Reflection
This passage presents two powerful truths:
1. God is Our Provider: He is fully aware of our needs and will faithfully supply them.
2. God Desires Our Trust: Seeking His kingdom means surrendering our worries and placing our confidence in His plans.
Many Christians today, much like the Israelites, struggle with anxiety over material needs, career, relationships, and the future. It is easy to become consumed by these concerns and lose sight of our ultimate purpose — seeking God and His righteousness. This passage serves as a gentle yet powerful reminder to realign our hearts and minds toward God. When we place our trust in Him and prioritise His kingdom, we not only experience His provision but also His peace.
Application: Living Out This Truth
How can we apply these timeless truths to our daily lives? Daily Surrender to God - Begin each day with a prayer, entrusting your plans and concerns to God. Ask for His guidance and provision.
Prioritise God’s Kingdom - Make intentional efforts to seek God through prayer, reading Scripture, and serving others. Live in obedience to His Word and strive to reflect Christ’s character. Let Go of Worry - Practice releasing anxieties about the future. Whenever worry creeps in, replace it with prayer and thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6-7). Live One Day at a Time - Focus on being faithful in the present moment. God’s grace is sufficient for today’s challenges, and He will take care of tomorrow. Share God’s Faithfulness - Encourage others by sharing testimonies of God’s provision in your life. Help them develop trust in God’s timing and faithfulness.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Matthew 6:31-34 reminds us that anxiety over worldly concerns is unnecessary when we recognise that we serve a loving and all-knowing God. He desires that we shift our focus from temporary needs to eternal priorities — seeking His kingdom and His righteousness. When we do so, He promises to provide for us and give us peace that surpasses all understanding. As believers, we are called to live with confidence and trust in God’s provision, knowing that our future is secure in His hands. By seeking Him first, we not only experience earthly provision but also the deeper riches of His grace and eternal blessings.
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