The Lilies of the Field, 2026
Matthew 6:25-34 "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
Jesus commands His followers not to be anxious about basic physical needs like food, drink, and clothing, because anxiety does not add any time to a person's life (Luke 12:25). Worrying changes nothing except stealing today's peace. God provides for nature, feeding the wild birds and clothes the flowers. As people are made in His image (Genesis 1:27), humans are even more valuable to God. He knows every physical need His people have. Chasing after material security in our own means, like those who do not know God, shows a lack of trust in God's provision. He urges us to trust His provision and prioritise His Kingdom above all else. Therefore, we are to seek God's rule and right way of living first, and physical provisions will be supplied as a result of that pursuit.
Luke 12:22-32 "And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
Jesus taught the sermon in Matthew on the Mountain, and in Luke, Jesus spoke directly to His disciples. Jesus uses two-word couplets - life/eat, body/clothing. The Greek word used for life in this passage is psychē, a word from which we get the English word 'psyche', which can mean 'breath of life ' and the 'soul'. Luke pairs psychē with the Greek sōma (body). These words are often arranged as opposites - soul vs body- but here they relate synonymously, suggesting that life is more than food and the body more than clothes. Using the comparative form of the Greek adjective polys, Jesus assures us that there is more to life than the material aspects of life. We are invited to contemplate katanoeō, notice, observe with detail and reflection what we see around us. Jesus asks us to look at the lilies of the field. How He elegantly clothes the wildflowers. Even Solomon, Israel's richest king, could not compare to the beauty of the lilies. Hesys says that "Your Father knows that you need them". Our sovereign Heavenly Father knows our needs and provides for our portion.
Jesus draws on the parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21), in which He warns about the danger of letting possessions and idols become the centre of your life. Jews considered ravens unclean birds (Leviticus 11:15; Deuteronomy 14:14), which people associated with feeding on carrion and blood. The raven has nothing. Jesus had been teaching about confessing Him openly, fearing the Lord above people and relying on the Holy Spirit, and then one of his disciples interrupts him with a financial dispute. Jesus uses the interruption to show how easily worldly concerns distract us from eternal priorities. Owning wealth is not wrong, but Jesus warns against greed (the Greek word pleonexia, an insatiable desire to have more), misplaced trust, and living as though material wealth is what gives life meaning and security. Jesus warns that the man's thinking revolved around himself, filled with 'my' and 'I', and no mention of gratitude, generosity, helping others, or asking what the blessing is for in honouring God's kingdom. Instead, the man's solution to the abundant harvest is to accumulate more. He mistakenly trusts his wealth to guarantee his future, assuming that wealth and possessions can preserve life. Jesus exposes these assumptions as false. All of these material possessions stay behind and do not matter in the grand scheme of life. God provides for the bird. He makes a way for this discredited, unclean bird. All the more He will provide for us. What matters is our heart and valuing God above all, including thanking and trusting God for all things. Instead of trusting riches, trying to control what you may feel you need in order to be comfortable in life, God calls us to seek His kingdom first and His righteousness, and all these things will be added, just as He provides for the unclean raven. (Matthew 6:33)
Anxiety often reveals where I have placed my trust. When I become consumed with trying to control my future or secure my own comfort, I can easily begin relying on my own efforts, rather than trusting on God's faithful provision. Jesus reminds us that He knows every need before we ask Him. He has never stopped sustaining His creation, and He will never neglect His children. Seeking God's kingdom first means making Him my highest priority above financial security, personal comfort (denying the flesh), chasing after career success, or worldly recognition. It means asking each day how we can honour Christ, and show up in representing His character as much as possible. Having a strong work ethnic, not being given over to laziness and thinking ahead of time to prepare (Colossians 3:23; Proverbs 31:27) are all important, but must not replace trusting in the One who holds tomorrow.
Like the rich fool, I can be tempted to measure success by what I possess or accumulate. Jesus redirects our hearts toward eternal treasures - gratitude, generosity, obedience, and dependence on God. Our security should not be found in possessions or carefully laid out plans, but in the character of our Heavenly Father.
I trust the Lord with what I cannot control, and I will continue to faithfully pursue His kingdom, knowing He will provide exactly what I need according to His perfect wisdom.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for knowing every need before I even speak it. Forgive me for the times I allow worry, fear, or the pursuit of material security to take Your rightful place in my heart. Help me to trust You more deeply, remembering that if You faithfully care for the birds of the air and clothe the flowers of the field, You will surely care for me.
Teach me to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness each day. Guard me from greed, self-reliance, and the desire to find security in possessions rather than in You. Fill my heart with gratitude for Your daily provision and make me generous with everything You entrust to me.
When tomorrow feels uncertain, remind me that You are already there. Help me to live faithfully today, resting in the confidence that it is Your good pleasure to give Your children the kingdom.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
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