There are so many things competing for our focus, and ultimately, our allegiance today. Without realizing it, we can quickly become consumed by people, accomplishments, possessions, or positions that compete for the place in our lives that only God deserves. We're talking this week about faith, and one thing faith does is help us keep our focus on what matters most. Faith keeps us from turning to the things that are rivaling for the position that only God deserves. Genuine faith means that nothing takes God's place in our lives.
Jesus called His followers not to let anything take His place in their lives in Matthew 6. As He talked to His followers that day, He told them to live generously, to pray to God, to stop worrying, and to loosen their grip on their material possessions. All of these things come as a result of having faith in God. After calling His followers to do these things, Jesus said, "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need" (verse 33). This teaching from Jesus was a reminder to His listeners and His followers today that faith in God means that nothing else takes His place in our lives because no person or possession is worthy of being in the place that only He deserves.
The amazing thing that happens when we seek God and His kingdom first and foremost is that He takes care of us and provides for us. He gives us everything we need. Notice this does not say "everything you want," but "everything you need." This is what happens when we put God first and devote all of our faith and affection to Him: we trust Him and He shows us how He provides and cares for us. Will you trust in Him today?
Take a few moments and think about your life. Is anything rivaling for God's place in your life? What is it? Write it down. Then, write down one way you can begin to let go of that thing competing for God's place in your life. After making this list, tell a trusted friend about it and ask them to hold you accountable as you seek to have nothing in your life rivaling for God's place in your life.
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
“Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
