NOTES ON THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
MATTHEW 6
Outward Righteousness
Mt. 6:1-8, 16-18. Take heed (Mt. 7:15, 10:17, 16:6-11-12; Lk. 17:3, 20:46; Acts 20:28) that ye do not your alms (Mt. 6:1-4; Lk. 12:33; Acts 3:2-3-10, 9:36, 10:2-4-31, 24:17) before men (Mt. 6:1-2-5-16-18), to be seen of them (Mt. 23:5): otherwise ye have no reward (Mt. 5:12-46, 6:1-2-5-16, 10:41-42; 1 Cor. 3:8-14, 9:17-18; Rev. 22:12) of your Father which is in heaven.
2. Therefore when thou doest [thine] alms, do not sound a trumpet (1 Cor. 15:52) before thee, as the hypocrites (Mt. 6:1-2-5-16, 7:5, 23:13-15-23-25-27-29) do in the synagogues (Mt. 10:17, 23:6; Lk. 20:46) and in the streets (Lk. 14:21; Acts 9:11), that they may have glory of men (Jn. 12:43). Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
3. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4. That thine alms may be in secret (Mt. 6:4-6-18; 1 Cor. 4:5; 1 Pet. 3:4): and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly (Mt. 6:4-6-18; 1 Cor. 3:13).
5. And when thou prayest (Mt. 5:44, 6:5-6-7), thou shalt not be as the hypocrites [are]: for they love (Mt. 23:6; Mk. 12:38) to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet (Lk. 12:3), and when thou hast shut thy door (Mt. 25:10), pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
7. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen (Mt. 18:17) [do]: for they think that they shall be heard (Lk. 1:13; Acts 10:31; Heb. 5:7) for their much speaking.
8. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
16. Moreover when ye fast (Mt. 6:16-17-18, 9:14-15; Lk. 18:12; Acts 13:2-3), be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance (Lk. 24:16-17): for they disfigure (Mt. 6:16-19-20) their faces, that they may appear (Mt. 6:16-18, 23:27-28) unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
17. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint (Lk. 7:38-46; Jn. 12:3) thine head, and wash (Jn. 9:7, 13:5) thy face;
18. That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
In the previous section Jesus shattered any hope of achieving inward righteousness before God by efforts to keep the whole law (Mt. 5:20) instead of receiving the grace of God. In the present section Jesus exposed those who sought to merit God’s grace by outward righteousness.
Jesus addressed three forms of outward righteousness that tended to become “showy religion” by the Pharisees–giving, prayer, and fasting. Jesus contrasted outward righteousness:
♦ Seen before men with seen before heaven
♦ Rewarded of men with rewarded of God
♦ Openly watched with secretly watched
1 Sam. 16:7. But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
Jesus warned the twelve to guard the heart against hypocrisy. The root definition of the term “hypocrisy” meant an actor (impersonator, pretender) on the stage of the theater. The Pharisees sinned even in their acts of worship (Is. 1:10-17). Jesus instructed the disciples to live for the applause of heaven when it came to outward righteousness (Lk. 18:9-14, 21:1-4).
Am. 5:21-24. I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.
22. Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept [them]:
neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.
23. Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy
viols.
24. But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.
Giving (6:2-4). The Pharisees knew what the Scripture said about almsgiving (Prov. 19:17, 21:13; Lk. 11:41, 12:33; Acts 3:2-10, 9:36, 10:2, 24:17). Yet, Jesus examined the motive in giving (Mk. 12:41; Acts 5:3).
Glory of men. The Pharisees displayed their giving as the noise of trumpets (possibly the thirteen trumpet shaped containers in the temple treasury).
Glory of God. The only motive for obedient Christian giving should be the pleasure of the heavenly Father (Mt. 10:42).
Prayer (6:5-8). The Pharisees observed set times for prayer (third, sixth, and ninth hours–Acts 3:1).
Love for the rewards of men (Jn. 12:43).
The Pharisees prayed liturgical prayers. The term “vain repetitions” meant “babbling” or “chattering” (innumerable words without meaning). Jesus did not condemn all repetition in prayer (Mt. 26:44), but He disregarded the endless words prayed in order to weary God into answering (1 Kg. 18:26; Acts 19:34).
The Pharisees prayed lengthy prayers (Mk. 12:40). Prayers meant to impress men rather than approach God fell meaningless beneath clouds of brass.
Loss of the rewards of God (1 Cor. 3:15). True praying begins in the secrecy of the inner closet. Real praying seeks the ear of God not the eyes of men (Ps. 4:1).
Fasting (6:16-18). The Pharisees fasted the second and fifth days of the week since they believed Moses went to the mount on a Thursday and returned on a Monday. The Jews practiced fasting from dawn to sunset. On fast days the Pharisees appeared with a sullen countenance (dreary, sour).
In the Bible fasts lasted one day, three days, seven days, twenty-one days, and forty days. Some went without food and water, others only without food, and Daniel fasted from certain delightful foods.
Jesus fasted (Mt. 4:2), John the Baptist fasted (Mk. 2:18), Anna fasted (Lk. 2:37), Paul fasted (Acts 13:2, 14:23), King David fasted (2 Sam. 12:21), the scribe Ezra fasted (Ezra 8:23), and Nehemiah fasted (Neh. 1:4).
Through fasting, a Christian denies the physical to gain the spiritual. John Wesley fasted twice weekly and said, “The man that never fasts is no more in the way to Heaven than the man who never prays.” Charles Finney would fast when he felt empty of God’s power.
False fasting leads to legalism (Is. 58:3; Mt. 9:14). True fasting leads to power in ministry (Jn. 4:32).
How do genuine disciples worship through giving, praying, and fasting?
♦ Genuine Christians seek to please the only One who matters.
♦ Genuine Christians eye the prize that cannot be taken away.
♦ Genuine Christians practice the presence of God at all times rather than perform rituals for others at select times.
♦ Genuine Christians listen for the eternal applause of heaven instead of settling for the temporal awards on earth.
♦ Genuine Christians desire the glory of God in worship so much that they lose prideful self-consciousness.
♦ Genuine Christians find satisfaction in God alone and do not boast of anything.
♦ Genuine Christians do not shun corporate worship but practice it with a heart that desires to meet God.
♦ Genuine Christians gladly worship in obscurity without public recognition.
♦ Genuine Christians learn to pray openly after time spent in prayer privately.
♦ Genuine Christians worship by paying attention to their words rather than repeating rituals thoughtlessly.
♦ Genuine Christians draw near a Father whom they know by experience instead of coming to a God known only objectively.
♦ Genuine Christians rejoice in their relationship with Christ rather than endure the gloomy, rigorous demands of their religion.
♦ Genuine Christians practice spiritual disciplines like fasting to hear the still voice of God not to announce their devotion in an attempt to impress others.
Prayer
9. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven.
11. Give us this day our daily bread.
12. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
14. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Pattern of prayer (6:9a).
Example to pray (Lk. 11:1). When the disciples observed the prayer life of Jesus (Lk. 5:16, 6:12, 9:18-28), they wanted to learn to pray after His example. J. H. Jowett said, “I’d rather teach one man to pray than ten men to preach.”
Expected to pray (1 Sam. 12:23; Lk. 18:1). Why do we think and do so little of what the Lord thinks and does so much?
Privilege of prayer (6:9b).
All who know Christ (1 Jn. 2:23). All who come to God through Christ can call on Him as Father. The Lord’s Prayer is a family prayer to pray in oneness with all those who know Christ. John Calvin said, “By this we are reminded how strong the feeling of brotherly love between us ought to be, since we are all alike, by the same mercy and free kindness, the children of such a Father.”
Adopted with Christ (Rom. 8:15). Until the unsaved call on the name of Christ, they will not enjoy the privileges of prayer with the Father. This privilege belongs to His adopted children.
Access through Christ (Eph. 2:18). The blood of Christ gives a believer access into the Holy of Holies in heaven (Heb. 9:24, 10:19). Jesus Christ is a believer’s advocate “face to face” with the Father (1 Jn. 2:1).
Perspective of prayer (6:9c-10). Jesus divided the prayer into two parts: three petitions God-ward and three petitions man-ward. The first concern of prayer is the Father’s business.
See the glory (2 Chr. 6:5-6-20, 7:16). The church should pray that the glory of His name might be seen again in the sanctuary (Ps. 63:2). John Wesley said, “In praying that God, or His name, may be hallowed or glorified, we pray that He may be known.”
Send the gospel (Is. 62:7). Believers should pray for the lost that the Kingdom of God would come into their hearts (Rom. 10:1).
Surrender to God (Mt. 26:42; Jn. 5:30, 17:4). Prayer is getting God’s will done on earth. D. L. Moody said, “I would a thousand times rather that God’s will should be done than my own. I cannot see into the future as God can; therefore, it is a good deal better to let Him choose for me than to choose for myself.”
Petitions of prayer (6:11-13). The Lord’s Prayer contains six petitions which are expressed as six imperative verbs. Jesus taught that prayer consisted of definite requests to God.
John R. Rice illustrated, “Real prayer is asking for something.” Andrew Murray said, “Let your prayer be so definite that you can say as you leave the prayer closet, ‘I know what I have asked from the Father, and I expect an answer.” Charles G. Finney asked, “If you had been put under oath five minutes after you (prayed) you could not have said for what you had been praying.”
Things we need (11–provision; Phil. 4:6). This petition is a request for the bread necessary for today. A believer can carry a list of today’s needs to the Lord in prayer.
The term “daily” implies that the Lord’s Prayer is a morning prayer. The Hebrews gathered manna (daily bread) each new day (Ex. 16:16).
The Father desires for His children to meet Him daily in prayer. God provided bread for the orphanages of George Muller through many miraculous answers to prayer.
Trespasses we committed (12–pardon; 1 Jn. 1:9). All the promises of the Lord’s Prayer become conditional upon the confession of sin. Sin, such as unforgiveness (Mt. 18:28), blocks the power of prayer (Is. 59:2). Calvin said, “Wherefore, we are not to ask the forgiveness of our sins from God, unless we forgive the offenses of all who are or have been injurious to us. If we retain any hatred in our minds.”
Temptations we face (13–protection; 1 Cor. 10:13). The Father is not the author of temptation (Jas. 1:13). Satan is the evil one opposed to the believer. Martin Luther said, “If I fail to spend two hours in prayer each morning, the devil gets the victory through the day. “
Through prayer the Father protects (Mt. 26:41; 1 Cor. 10:13; 1 Pet. 5:8) believers in times of trial (Heb. 2:18). Only Christ can deliver us from the hostile forces of temptation (Rom. 7:24). Calvin wrote, “Here it is carefully to be observed, that we have no strength to contend with such a combatant as the devil, or to sustain the violence of his assault.” D. L. Moody said, “If you are under the power of evil, and you want to get under the power of God, cry to Him to bring you over to His service; cry to Him to take you into His army.”
Problems of prayer (6:14-15). In Mt. 6:14-15, Jesus moved swiftly from the petitions in prayer to the problems in prayer. The verbs in the text shift from the imperative mood to the subjunctive mood–from commands to conditions. As a final note on the subject of prayer, Jesus stated the conditions upon which a disciple’s prayer would be answered (2 Chr. 7:14).
Two conditions for answered prayer are evident in this text–a right fellowship with the Father and a right relationship with people.
Unforgiven people (14; Mt. 18:21; Mk. 11:25-26; 1 Pet. 3:7). A disciple’s relationship with others affects the answer of prayer. A Christian cannot come into the presence of God with unforgiveness. The person who cannot forgive others has never witnessed the greatness of his or her own sins (Eph. 4:32).
John Wesley posed, “What kind of prayer are we offering to God when we utter these words, if we have not clearly forgiven our neighbor his trespasses? We are indeed coming before God in open defiance. We are daring Him to do his worst.”
According to a legend, Leonardo da Vinci chose a much hated enemy to be the face of Judas for his painting of the Last Supper. When the time came to paint the face of Jesus, da Vinci was strangely troubled. The Lord’s face became blurred to da Vinci. Only when the painter erased the image of Judas was he able to complete the face of Jesus.
Unanswered prayer (15). A pure fellowship with the Father is necessary for answered prayer (Jn. 15:7; Jas. 5:16; 1 Pet. 3:12). John Bunyan was quoted as saying, “Prayer will make a man cease from sin, as sin will entice a man to cease from prayer.”
If a disciple approaches God in prayer with unrepented of sin, that prayer will not be acceptable. God does not cease to be Father (15), but God ceases to respond to prayer (Ps. 66:18).
The throne in heaven can become like iron (Lev. 25:19) or a thick cloud (Lam. 3:44), and prayer will not pass through. This is the reason for many unanswered prayers.
Hidden sin in a disciple will cause prayer to be denied. Charles Spurgeon said, “A prayer without penitence is a prayer without acceptance. If no tear has fallen upon it, it is withered. There must be confession of sin before God, or our prayer is faulty.”
Why do some prayers go unanswered?
♦ Sinfulness. God honors the prayers of the righteous (2 Chr. 7:14; Ps. 34:15; Prov. 10:24; Jn. 15:7; Jas. 5:16; 1 Pet. 3:12; 1 Jn. 3:22). God closes His ears to those in sin (Ps. 66:18; Prov. 1:28, 28:9; Is. 59:2; Lam. 3:44; Hos. 5:6; Mk. 11:25; 1 Pet. 3:7).
♦ Prayerlessness (1 Sam. 12:23; Is. 64:7; Jas. 4:2)
♦ Selfishness (Prov. 21:13; Jas. 4:3)
♦ Unforgiveness (Mt. 6:14-15; Mk. 11:26)
♦ Faithlessness (Mt. 21:22; Mk. 9:23, 11:24; Jn. 11:40; Jas. 1:5-7, 5:15)
♦ Unwillingness (Mt. 26:39; 1 Jn. 5:14-15)
Early African converts to Christianity were earnest and regular in private devotions. Each one reportedly had a separate spot in the thicket where he would pour out his heart to God. Over time the paths to these places became well worn. As a result, if one of these believers began to neglect prayer, it was soon apparent to the others. They would kindly remind the negligent one, “Brother, the grass grows on your path.”
Absorption With Things
Mt. 6:19-24. Lay not up (Mt. 6:19-20; Lk. 12:21; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 12:14; Jas. 5:3) for yourselves treasures (Mt. 6:19-20-21, 13:44, 19:21; Lk. 12:33-34; Heb. 11:26) upon earth, where moth (Job 13:28; Is. 50:9, 51:8; Lk. 12:33) and rust (Jas. 5:3) doth corrupt (Mt. 6:16-19-20; Jas. 4:14), and where thieves (Mt. 24:43; Jn. 10:10; 1 Th. 5:2) break through (Mt. 6:19-20, 24:43) and steal (Mt. 6:19-20; Jn. 10:10; Eph. 4:28):
20. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven (Mt. 19:21; Phil. 3:20; Heb. 10:34; 1 Pet. 1:4), where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21. For where your treasure is, there will your heart (Ps. 73:25; Col. 3:2) be also.
22. The light (Mt. 5:15; Lk. 11:34) of the body is the eye (Mk. 5:29): if therefore thine eye be single (Rom. 12:8; Col. 3:22), thy whole body shall be full of light (Jn. 1:9; Eph. 1:18).
23. But if thine eye be evil (Mt. 20:15; Mk. 7:22), thy whole body shall be full of darkness (Is. 5:20). If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness (Jn. 12:35-36; 1 Jn. 1:5), how great [is] that darkness (Acts 26:18; 2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. 5:11)!
24. No man can (Lk. 16:13; Jn. 3:2; 1 Tim. 6:7) serve (Eph. 6:7; Col. 3:24) two (cf. two roads, two gates, two fruits, two foundations) masters (Lk. 6:46; Acts 2:36; Col. 3:24, 4:1): for either he will hate (Ps. 119:113; Lk.14:26) the one, and love the other (Heb. 1:9); or else he will hold (Lk. 16:13; Tit. 1:9) to the one, and despise (Mt. 18:10; Lk. 16:13; Rom. 2:4; Heb. 12:2) the other. Ye cannot serve God (Mt. 4:10; Rom. 7:25; 1 Th. 1:9; Heb. 9:14) and mammon (Lk. 16:9-11-13).
One of the growing detriments to fulfilling the Great Commission in this generation is the materialism and debt hindering mission giving and keeping missionaries from going. The disciples needed a biblical understanding of money before Jesus commissioned them to go into all the world.
God owns it all (Dt. 8:11-18; Ps. 24:1, 50:10-12; Hag. 2:8; Jas. 1:17).
Dt. 8:18 [NIV]. But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.
Jesus’ disciples hold no material thing dear (Mt. 6:33; 2 Cor. 8:5).
Ecc. 5:10 [NIV]. Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.
1 Tim. 6:6-10 [NIV]. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
The culture measures self-worth by the acquisition of more money. A Quaker said to a neighbor, “If ever thou dost need anything, come to see me, and I will tell thee how to get along without it.”
Material things will either disintegrate or be disowned.
Hag. 1:6 [MSG]. You have spent a lot of money, but you haven’t much to show for it. You keep filling your plates, but you never get filled up. You keep drinking and drinking and drinking, but you’re always thirsty. You put on layer after layer of clothes, but you can’t get warm. And the people who work for you, what are they getting out of it? Not much-- a leaky, rusted-out bucket, that’s what.
Jam. 5:2-3 [NIV]. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.
Someone else will enjoy what it took so long to accumulate (Lk. 12:19-20).
Prov. 27:24 [NIV]. For riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.
Lk. 12:21 [NIV]. "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
George W. Carroll gave large sums to Baptist causes. After he lost considerable wealth in the depression years, he was viewing a building he helped construct. Someone said, “Aren’t you sorry because you gave all that money away?” He answered, “No, because all I kept for myself is lost, and only that which I gave away has been preserved.”
Only treasures stored in heaven will endure.
Phil. 3:20 [NIV]. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Tim. 6:17-19 [NIV]. Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Heb. 10:34 [NIV]. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.
Heb. 11:26 [GNB]. He reckoned that to suffer scorn for the Messiah was worth far more than all the treasures of Egypt, for he kept his eyes on the future reward.
1 Pet. 1:4 [NIV]. And into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you,
Disciples who want their lives to count must lay up souls and stewardship in heaven. No man will ask to see the accumulated things one last time on the deathbed.
Jas. 4:14 [CEV]. What do you know about tomorrow? How can you be so sure about your life? It is nothing more than mist that appears for only a little while before it disappears.
A man demonstrates what he loves by the things he refuses to share or by the things he spends on himself.
Phil. 4:12 [NIV]. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
A person will love either the god of money or the true God. Where we spend our money tells where our hearts are.
John Wesley’s rule of life was to save all he could and give all he could. When he was at Oxford he had an income of £ 30 a year. He lived on £ 28 and gave £ 2 away. When he income increased to £ 60, £ 90 and £ 120 a year, he still lived on £ 28 and gave the balance away.
Col. 3:2 [NIV]. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Jesus is Lord of all or not Lord at all (Col. 4:1).
Ps. 73:25 [GNB]. What else do I have in heaven but you? Since I have you, what else could I want on earth?
Jesus is Lord of all and that includes possessions (Lk. 19:8, 21:4; Acts 4:32-37). If a man will trust Jesus with salvation, he easily can trust Him with material things.
Mt. 19:21 [MSG]. "If you want to give it all you've got," Jesus replied, "go sell your possessions; give everything to the poor. All your wealth will then be in heaven. Then come follow me."
Anxiety Over Things
Mt. 6:25-34. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26. Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27. Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28. And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29. And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, [shall he] not much more [clothe] you, O ye of little faith?
31. Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32. (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day [is] the evil thereof.
Jesus took illustrations from sparrows (Mt. 10:31) and lilies to teach the faithfulness of God (Ps. 34:9-10, 37:25) and the futility of worry. Those disciples needed to depend on God alone as their source and supply (Dt. 8:18).
Prov. 12:25 [CEV]. Worry is a heavy burden, but a kind word always brings cheer.
Don’t worry whether the Father will take care of you, just go where He sends. Don’t wait until you save enough to go where He sends, just trust the Father (6:25-26).
1 Pet. 5:7 [GNB]. Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.
[CEV]. God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.
Don’t worry what will happen to you if you do the Father’s will. Don’t play it safe and miss the adventure of God’s plan (6:27).
[ESV]. And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
Ecc. 5:20 [GNB]. Since God has allowed us to be happy, we will not worry too much about how short life is.
Don’t worry if you will every have enough, just learn to live by faith. Don’t try to figure it all out before stepping out on faith (6:28-30).
Ecc. 2:22-23 [GNB]. You work and worry your way through life, and what do you have to show for it? As long as you live, everything you do brings nothing but worry and heartache. Even at night your mind can't rest. It is all useless.
Don’t worry constantly like unbelievers over carnal concerns and neglect the pursuit of God. Delight yourself in the Lord and trust Him meet the desires of the heart (6:31-33).
Mt. 13:22 [GNB]. The seeds that fell among thorn bushes stand for those who hear the message; but the worries about this life and the love for riches choke the message, and they don't bear fruit.
Don’t worry about tomorrow’s cares today. Don’t let worry about things out of your control steal the opportunities within your control (6:34).
Phil. 4:6 [CEV]. Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God.
[MSG]. Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.
Ps. 118:5 [CEV]. When I was really hurting, I prayed to the LORD. He answered my prayer, and took my worries away.