STRUGGLES OF A CHILD OF GOD

"STRUGGLES OF A CHILD OF GOD                 (Matthew 6:19-34)

 Probably, one of the most quoted (misapplied) passages of the
Scripture is verse 33 from this passage in Matthew. We will not
discuss  just how it is misused  for our purposes here,  but it is
sufficient to say,  there are some who appear to depend on this
particular verse without understanding the true meaning or the 
application.  We will discuss an apparent application of the pas-
sage and a true understanding  of  verse 33, 

“But seek ye first the Kingdom of  God, and his righteousness, 
  and all these things shall be added unto you.”

     The most important  fact  pertaining to  this passage of  Scripture is  
the Author of the words. He is none other than  the Lord Jesus Christ, 
creator of heaven and earth and  sovereign ruler of  His universe.  His 
words have an authority we  find in none other.  We must  listen/heed 
His  words,  but it seems in this  age in  which we live,  His word is not  
valued  by the  majority.  Turn  to  the text  to see  if  we can determine 
just what was  said  and what action we  must take as  we review truth 
of  His words in the Word.  Truth  is truth  whether  or  not it is respec-
ted or valued.    
       
     We are  informed or warned against hoarding earthly possessions, 
because of  the transitory nature of  the things  experienced with our 
five senses.  We are  then  advised  to engage in  accumulating "trea-
sure" of eternal value, since the thoughts of our hearts are possessed 
of treasure, wherever and whatever  it may be.  The next three verses 
seem not to fit until we come to  the last sentence; verse 24. The plain 
statement is;  we cannot  serve God  and earthly  wealth at  the same 
 time.  He goes  on to say,  if we  spend energy  accumulating  earthly 
possessions,  we "hate" the Lord God.  That  seems a  little  strong for 
our culture  in the U. S. A., but it's  God's  word  and  applicable.  The 
next  part of  the  passage,  verse 24-30,  seems even more out of  step 
with our culture.  A condensed  version  might  read;   Do not be con-
cerned about food, clothing or  shelter,  since God provides just as he 
cares for birds of the field. This is  tied  to questioning of our faith in  
God and  is so  out of  step with  the current mindset as to seem "ridi-
culous" to those of us who have  believed we  must work  hard to pro-
vide  for  our families and "God helps  those  who  help  themselves." 
(Often ascribed, in error, to Scripture)

  In 1 Thessalonians 4: 11-12, "...and that ye study to be quiet,
       and to do you own business, and to work with  your own 
      hands as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly
      toward them that are without , and that ye may have need 
      of nothing.

   In Ecclesiastes 9: 10 we find;  "Whatsoever thy hand findeth
        to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work nor device,
    nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

          Romans 14: 23-a;  "...whatsoever is not of faith is sin."
         This verse seems to be a key to the whole thing.  What-
         ever we do, we must do it in faith without wavering, then 
          our doing will be blest.  God will honour His Word.

I have spent the greater part of my life, as a churchman and "Chris-
tian."  It had never occurred to me that spending time providing the 
material possessions for my family might be an issue.  I had thought 
food, shelter and clothing for my family and occasional luxuries was
my responsibility.

According to this passage,  I have  been  negligent  teaching the most 
important and needful thing; absolute, unwavering faith in the faith-
fulness of my Lord to provide those  things.  The catch is, with things 
Spiritual,  if we are busy  trying to do  the  things God  can, will,  and 
desires to do, He will  not  display His power.  He  will  not  provide if 
we persist in  working against Him.  When  we  give  serious conside-
ration to this issue, are you and I guaranteed the ability  to work and  
 provide these  things?  Would not  the provision be  more  sure if we  
worked with Him, rather than against our  Lord?  He has desire and  
ability  to  guarantee  this  provision,  if  we  seek  first  His  Kingdom  
and  His  righteousness,  rather  than  seeking  material  possessions 
and "going about trying  to establish our own righteousness." 
    "But we are all as an unclean thing,  and all our righteousness
      are as filthy rags..."    Isaiah 64: 6

      We then come to verses  31 through 33 and  find  we should not 
overly concern  ourselves with  these issues,  but  give  ourselves to
to Kingdom issues or eternal matters.  We are not to spend our gifts 
or talents on  mundane matters,  but should  seek the  prosperity of 
the Kingdom of God, accept His gift of righteousness; not go about 
trying to establish a  righteousness of  our own.  According  to His  
Word, as we put Kingdom interest first in our lives and accept  His
righteousness,  He will abundantly supply our every need.

       One day we will stand before our  Lord and  He  will question us 
on obedience or  disobedience to  Matthew 6: 33.  Will  we  have the 
temerity to excuse  ourselves;  tell Him we did not  believe He really 
meant what He said;  will we be struck dumb without excuse before 
a Holy God who will  exact  retribution  against  those who  rebelled  
against His Word?  We must always keep in  mind;  God is not sepa-
rated from His word. They are one and the same.  If we do  not keep 
the Word,  we are in  rebellion against  Holy God,  and  He  does not 
take that lightly.

     What then,  is one to do  with the Scripture stating that  one who 
will not provide for his family is  "worse than an infidel"?  There is
more  than  one way  to provide  for one's  family.  The  Scripture  is 
clear;  "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." 
Our response to Mt 6: 33 must be positive.  Our Lord will not honor 
the double minded or in the vernacular; one who attempts to "strad-
dle the fence."  As  Spirit led  Children of God,  we must  commit to 
trust our Lord in every situation, knowing from His word  that faith 
comes from in-depth knowledge of the Scripture.  

    How then,  does one  come to the   place to practice  Matthew 6: 33?  
If faith is enhanced by  knowledge of God's Word, and a strong faith is 
required  to put this principle to  work in our lives, we  provide for our 
families God's way.  Then the best way to provide for one's family is to 
"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these 
things (earthly needs) will  be added  to you."  It is  that plain.  In other
words, why  would we  wish to frame it in "other words?"   
                                                                      donporter 8-22-12,  edited 11.12.14