22-24 He continued this subject with his disciples. “Don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more.
25-28 “Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?
29-32 “What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.
33-34 “Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can’t go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
Jesus points his disciples to see God's creation that they can relax and not to be preoccupied with getting that they can respond to God's kingdom by giving. It is not what they give first to God but God gives the kingdom to them. Disciples are to refocus their eyes to see first God's reality in their lives, God's initiative in calling them to enter into God's kingdom, and God's provisions for them in their daily needs. There is a bank in heaven where their treasure is - that is the place where disciples will be with Jesus forever and store their works for the kingdom.
My Lord Jesus, please point me to see God's reality, God's works, and God's provisions in my life. Let me heart be transformed everyday as I am drawn closer so as to see God's kingdom is nearer - life is not defined by what I get but what I can contribute to God's kingdom. Open my eyes to see that God has given the best in my life - His beloved Son of Jesus and His kingdom to me. Learn relaxing and enjoying God's love and works in my life; learn living by faith so as to live a carefree life by the care of God, like the lilies in the field and the birds in the air; learn living generously like my heavenly Father - giving is more blessed than receiving. May Your kingdom come and may You come on earth.
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