A few events happened this past week that put Matthew Chapter 6 in front of me.
The chapter has a mash-up of five different topics.
The chapter starts out with two vignettes where Jesus is dismissive of people who do the right thing for the applause of the crowd. 6:1-8
Then a prayer sometimes called "The Our Father" is shared. That is the second topic. 6:9-15
Then there is another vignette where Jesus again is critical of those who do the right thing for attention or to elevate their social standing. (Another repetition of the first topic. I cannot help but thinking he could be talking about influencers and celebrities) 6:16-18
The third topic is that our hearts are where our treasures are and that we cannot serve two masters. 6:19-21, 24
The fourth topic is about "discernment" and wisdom using the eyes and vision as a metaphor. 6:22-23
The last major topic is from 6:25-34 where Jesus speaks to our anxieties and the futility of worrying.
The last verse reads:
Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.
Somehow, that seems like a fine quote for November 4, 2024
Somehow, that seems like a fine quote for November 4, 2024
ReplyDeleteIt's liable to fit very well in the coming weeks and months, too.
That it is!
ReplyDeleteAMEN!
ReplyDeleteAmen
ReplyDeleteVery wise word, ERJ. God is not in the least inconvenienced or disempowered no matter the outcome of tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThe bible says do not worry about tomorrow. But we also know about the admonition that failing to prepare is preparation to fail.
ReplyDeleteKind of a conundrum isn't it.
Maybe not. Jesus describes the five virgins who brought oil for their lamps as "wise" and they were the ones who were able to enter the wedding party (heaven) while the foolish virgins were locked out.
DeleteI think that mainstream media have misled the public by insisting that prudent preparation is the same as being paranoid. My take on the subject is that preparing is the exact opposite. Intelligent prepping is identical to putting on warm clothing when it is cold outside. It allows you to get on with life. It allows you to live without fear.
Note: "fear" is different than "vigilance".
Dale Carnegie's "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living" book talks about living in "Day-Tight" Compartments. Very useful book and a different way of saying what is in your post.
ReplyDeleteAnon