“And all these things.”
What is “all the things?”
“All the things” has become slang for generalizing whatever someone may be talking about. The phrase could mean all the things that happened at work, all the things done that day or need to be done, or all the things we may feel when a situation happens to us. “All the things” covers the gamut of feelings, actions, and material possessions.
Jesus made an “all the things” reference in his anti-worry formula.
“But seek first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33, NRSVUE)
“All these things” might seem, at first glance, to be Jesus, referencing how He would generously give us anything and everything. But Jesus’ reference was not slang. He was referring to specific things that he had just mentioned.
In context, Jesus transitions from teaching about prayer and fasting in Matthew 6:5-18 to instructions on “all the things” we tend to focus on that causes us to worry. Jesus assigns us a different list on which to direct our attention.
- We are to store up heavenly treasures rather than worldly treasures. (Matthew 6:19-21)
- We are to be careful what our eyes see and desire. Desires can either fill us with light or darkness. (Matthew 6:22-23)
- We need to understand we can not serve two masters. We can not seek wealth and seek God at the same time. (Matthew 6:24)
- We need to realize that God loves us and will provide for our needs. If God cares for the birds, will He not indeed care for His children? When we trust Him and seek Him first, our worries lessen. (Matthew 6:25-31)
- We need to be careful of acting like non-Christ-followers who become hyper-focused on what they have and what they don’t have. (Matthew 6:32)
“Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things.” (Matthew 6:33, GNT)
When we apply the anti-worry formula of putting first things first, seeking God’s Kingdom and His righteousness, then worry will take a back seat to His faithfulness. God will provide what we need, maybe not how much, or the way we had thought, but He will take care of His children.
Jesus’ list of “all the things” he will provide for us includes heavenly treasures, a life filled with His Light, the basic necessities of life, and a worry-free life.
What if we are missing a few things from the list?
Jesus encouraged us later in the Sermon on the Mount to persist with our prayers. We are to keep asking, searching, and knocking.
“For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asked for bread, would give a stone? … how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him” (Matthew 7: 8-9, 11b, NRSVUE).
We need to remember God is not in a hurry. He loves us and has our best interests at heart, even when we walk through difficult times. He is there with us.
In our asking, searching, and knocking, we must also continue seeking God’s Kingdom and His righteousness first. If we busy ourselves with” all the things” we are to be focused on, we will not have time to worry about “all the things” we might not have. “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34, NIV)
I pray that your heart will be set on heavenly treasures, your eye will be filled with Light, and your mind set on Kingdom things. May you busy yourself with building God’s kingdom and doing things His way, and by doing so, worry can not find any space to occupy in your life. In Jesus’ name, so be it.
Meditate: Christ is all I need.
Reflect: What occupies your thoughts the most lately? Are you being tempted to worry about things you need to entrust to God? What are heavenly treasures you would like to desire more? How can you apply the anti-worry formula of seeking God’s Kingdom and His righteousness first to help you stay present in today?
Deeper: Matthew 6:19-34, 7:7-11; Philippians 4:19-20; Psalm 23:1
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(Bible References: NRSVUE – New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition, NIV – New International Version, GNT – Good News Translation)
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