"So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and LIVE RIGHTEOUSLY:angel:, and he will give you everything you need."
� Matthew 6:31-33
When Jesus told us not to worry about food and clothing, His emphasis was on the word "worry". He didn't say, "Don't think about it." Nor did He imply, "Don't plan ahead for your needs." He said, "Don't worry."
The fact of the matter is that the Bible criticizes the lazy person who lives off the generosity of others and refuses or neglects to work for a living. The Bible says that if you don't work, you shouldn't eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Go get a job. Provide for yourself. The Bible even encourages us to plan for the future and learn from the example of the ant, that tiny creature that is always planning ahead (see Proverbs 6:6-8).
But there is balance here. The Bible is saying to us, "Yes, do an honest day's work and be financially responsible, but don't be obsessed with these things. Jesus said that is how nonbelievers are: "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek" (Matthew 6:31-32).
Isn't that the emphasis of so many people today�what to eat, what to wear? Their whole lives revolve around materialistic goals. Jesus said this won't satisfy the deepest needs of your heart.
Don't make these things your primary purpose in life. Rather, seek God first and foremost in your life, and everything that you need will be provided for you. God will take care of you. He cares about you. He will supply all of your needs.
... denying ungodliness:angeldevil::devil: and worldly lusts:toomuch:, we should live soberly, righteously:angel:, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed :devil:and purify for Himself His own special people:angel:, zealous for good works:applause:.
15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
Titus 2
2 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:applause::
2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love:hearts:, in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine:toomuch:, teachers of good things:applause:� 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love :hearts:their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste:angel:, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded:angel:, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works:applause:; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil :devil:to say of you.
...
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation:yay: has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness :devil:and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously:angel:, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
