MATTHEW 6:25-34

“Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called....Brethren, let every
man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God” (1 Cor.7:20, 24).
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, there-
with to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where
and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suf-
fer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Ph.4:11-13).
“Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: but the rich, in that he is
made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner ris-
en with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the
grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways”
(Jas.1:9-11).

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(6:28-30) Clothing: do not worry about clothing. Consider the lilies, how they grow.

1. Lilies grow from a deep root. The roots are where they belong, in the soil to receive nourishment. The roots of be-
lievers are not to be in the material things of this earth. In order to receive their nourishment and fulfill their purpose on earth,
believers are to put their roots where they belong, in God and His righteousness.
2. Lilies do not toil or spin at spinning wheels to adorn themselves with beauty. Their beauty comes naturally as they
go about their purpose in the world. Believers are not to be consumed with toiling after material things in order to adorn
themselves with the artificial and superficial coverings of appearance. They are to be laboring after God and His righteous-
ness, letting their natural beauty shine forth, trusting God to provide “all these things” (Mt.6:33).
3. Lilies die from the weather. They drop to the ground, decay, pass out of existence, and are gone forever. Clothing
fades, wears out, goes out of fashion, and is laid down. Clothing just ceases to exist, but not man. Unlike the lilies and his
clothing, man is immortal; he exists forever. Therefore, he is to center his life on God and His righteousness, not on material
clothing and physical beauty. God will provide necessary clothing to the person who diligently goes about life putting his
priorities in order: seeking God and His righteousness first.

Thought 1. Note seven significant lessons.
1) Do not worry: consider the lilies and trust God for clothing.
2) Clothing is used for protection and covering and adornment. The human body needs to be...
• protected from the weather.
• covered from being exposed to the public.
• adorned for attractiveness.
Yet, how foolish to place one’s heart and fate in material clothing, especially when so many throughout the
world have so little. A person’s salvation is not found in clothing, nor in any other material thing, but in
seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
3) There are three concerns about clothing. (Sometimes the concern becomes so strong it turns into a literal
fear.)
a) The concern of popularity. A person fears not having the clothing necessary to make him popular.
Sometimes the concern is so great that a person refuses to go to a particular function without the
proper clothing.
b) The concern of style and fashion. A person is concerned with the very latest in style and fashion. He
cannot accept a single piece’s being outdated.
c) The concern of acceptability. Most adults would fall into this category. Clothing is a matter that actually
involves inward feelings. The concern over appearance is really there. Time and effort are expended to
stay in style, at least enough to be acceptable.
The point Christ is making is this: do not fret or worry; do not be anxious over clothing. But seek ye
first—center your thoughts and efforts upon God and His righteousness—and all these things (clothing)
will be added unto you (Mt.6:33).
4) Many judge others by their clothes. How often someone has walked into a place (even into a church) and
been looked at askance and thought to be out of place. How often people have felt uncomfortable in
welcoming such a person lest they be associated with them. Why? Because the person was wearing old
clothes, long out of fashion. The worldly too often worry about clothes, to the point that their judgment of
others is affected by clothing. This is often true of youth and young adults.
5) The believer is to labor. He is to work his fingers to the bone seeking first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness, and he is to trust God all the while to meet his needs. God, who adorns the non-working lily
of the field, will certainly adorn the believer who is living and laboring for Him.
6) Man is as the lilies of the field: here today and gone tomorrow. There is so little time; he does not have
time to become entangled with worldly affairs. He must be seeking first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness (Mt.6:33).
7) It is folly to focus one’s life and body on beauty and nice clothing:

“This...is their folly...they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them...and their
beauty shall consume in the grave” (Ps.49:13-14; cp. v.10-14. This is a descriptive passage
covering this whole subject.)
“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefa-
cedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which
becometh women professing godliness) with good works” (1 Tim.2:9-10).
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