not break through nor steal. For where thy treasure is, there is thy heart [1] also.
“No man can serve two masters[2]; you cannot serve God and mammon[3]. Therefore[4], I say to you, be not solicitous for your life, what you shall eat, nor for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than the meat: and the body more than the raiment?[5] Behold the birds of the air, for they neither sow, nor do they reap, nor gather into barns: and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not you[6] of much more value than they? Consider the lilies [7] of the field how they grow: they labour not, neither do they spin. But I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these. And if the grass of the field, which is to-day and to-morrow is cast into the oven, God doth so clothe: how much more you, O ye of little faith?[8] Be not solicitous, therefore, saying: What shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the heathens seek. For your Father knoweth that you have need of all these things. Seek you, therefore, first the kingdom of God, and His justice[9], and all these things shall be added[10] unto you.”
COMMENTARY.
The Goodness of God. God provides for all His creatures. He feeds the birds of the air and adorns the flowers of the field with beautiful colours. He is the most loving Father to us men, and Him
- ↑ Thy heart. If you value your earthly treasures more than anything else, your heart will be set on them and bound up in them. But if you care most for heavenly things, then all your attention will be fixed on them.
- ↑ Two masters, i. e. two whose interests are opposed to each other and who require different services of you.
- ↑ Mammon, i. e. riches.
- ↑ Therefore. That you may not fall into worshipping mammon by reason of an over-anxiety about the needs of this life.
- ↑ The raiment. God, having given you the greater things, such as your body and your life, will surely also provide for such lesser things as food, clothing &c.
- ↑ Are not you? Shall not God provide for you who do sow and reap?
- ↑ The lilies. These grow by the wayside in Palestine, and are of the most brilliant colours.
- ↑ O ye of little faith. Who have so little and such weak faith, and so little confidence in God’s Providence.
- ↑ His justice. Ail that makes you just before God, i. e. grace and virtue.
- ↑ Be added. Whatever is necessary for this earthly life shall be given to you as well.
