Worrying about tomorrow
Jesus said, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:34). This is the conclusion of what is probably the greatest discourse ever uttered on the subject of worry. In a logical treatise which teaches faith and contentment, Jesus ends with what many have seen as a sense of humor. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Let tomorrow worry about tomorrow.
Worry Versus Providing – It is not the case that Jesus is teaching one should not make any provision for tomorrow. Some believe they should not think in terms of insurance, education, or even a job. This seems to have been the thinking of some in the church at Thessalonica. Paul repeatedly admonished them "to work with your own hands, as we commanded you" (1 Thessalonians 4:11). "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread" (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12). Providing for one’s own life and for those for whom he is responsible is taught repeated by God (Genesis 3:10; Ephesians 4:28). Anxiety or worry is quite another thing. It is always condemned by God. In the battle of worry versus providing, worry always loses to providing.
Tomorrow Versus Today – Someone has said that yesterday is but a memory, tomorrow is but a dream, but today is a reality. Today is all we have. We cannot look back like Lot’s wife (Luke 17:32) and be fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9:62). For good or bad we must forget what is behind us (Philippians 3:13). We cannot spend our lives planning something good for tomorrow. It may never come (James 4:13-17). In fact, the song says that tomorrow never comes. It is always today. Today is the tomorrow you dreamed about yesterday. "Today, if you will hear His voice" was the cry of the Hebrew writer (3:7). "Exhort one another daily, while it is called `Today’ (verse 13). In the battle of tomorrow versus today, tomorrow always loses to today.
Worrying About Tomorrow About Tomorrow Versus Seeking The Kingdom Today – Procrastination is said to be "the thief of time." Many a young student has failed a test because instead of providing the necessary study, they simply worried about taking the test. We tell our five children that if they want to do well in school tomorrow, next year, or in college, learn what they are given today. If tomorrow becomes one of your todays, you will need to have used today to make that tomorrow its best. If on the other hand tomorrow becomes eternity, will you have used today so as to be prepared? Cross-bearing is a today everyday job (Luke 9:23). In the battle of worrying about tomorrow versus seeking the kingdom today, worrying about tomorrow always loses to seeking the kingdom of God today.