Thursday: Seek First His Righteousness

Sermon: How to Be Free from Worry

In this week’s lessons, we learn that not only does Jesus warn us not to worry, but he also provides us with a cure in commanding us not to do it.

Theme: Seek First His Righteousness

Peter is one of many Christians who have learned this lesson. In the early days of his association with Jesus, he was worried about many things. After he first had courage to walk upon the water, he began to look at the waves and became so worried that he began to sink. On another occasion, he was worried that Jesus might not pay taxes, and might get into trouble as a result. At one point he was anxious about who might betray Jesus. He was worried that Jesus might have to suffer, and so he rebuked Him on one occasion, and sought to defend Him with a sword on another. Peter was a great worrier. But after he came to know Jesus better, he learned that Jesus was able to take care of him. And so, toward the end of his life he wrote to other Christians telling them that they were to live not by worrying, but by casting “all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 

In this verse, the word "care" is the same word that we have in the Sermon on the Mount. The word "cast" is not the normal word for throwing something. It's a word that signifies a definite act of the will by which we stop worrying about things and let God assume the responsibility for our welfare. And finally, the word "care" in the phrase "he careth for you" literally means, "for he is mindful of you and your interests." God thinks about you. That's what Peter is saying. And that's what God encourages you to learn also.

The final reason not to worry which Jesus gave is one that appeals to experience. Jesus said, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (v. 33). In other words, make it your business to seek God's interests and follow His way, and you'll see that all your physical needs will be met effortlessly and without any need for you to take thought about them.

Do you know the bliss of that statement? Do you know its truth? If you don't, it may be that you have never had that hunger and thirst after righteousness that Jesus spoke of earlier in the Sermon, nor the poverty of spirit that Jesus asked for in those who should inherit God’s kingdom. Remember Christ's teaching just a few verses earlier: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures here on earth where moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal; for where your treasure is there will your heart be also" (vv. 19-21). 

Study Questions:

1. In 1 Peter 5:7, what is the meaning of the word “cast”? Peter also uses forms of the word “care” in two different ways in this verse. What is the meaning of each one?
2. What is the third lesson Jesus gives about not worrying?

Application: How can you better seek first after God’s kingdom and righteousness?

Key Point: Jesus said, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (v. 33). In other words, make it your business to seek God's interests and follow His way, and you'll see that all your physical needs will be met effortlessly and without any need for you to take thought about them.

For Further Study: Download for free and listen to Donald Barnhouse’s two-part message, “Why Worry?” (part one) and “Why Worry?” (part two). (Discount will be applied at checkout.)