Jesus' instructions to not worry in Matt 6, and the pitfalls of varying interpretations
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There appears to be a predicament among the various reputable interpretations I can find for Matt 6:31-33:
> 31Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’.
> 32For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
> 33But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
Here are the interpretations I can find, taking into account lived experience, and why I find each actually _increases_ worry:
* Prosperity: God clearly promises here to give you all you need *if* you're seeking him first enough, and if you have enough faith. If you're not receiving all you need, it's because you do not have sufficient faith/seeking-gods-kingdom-first-works. The worry is that you cannot rely on this promise because by experience we all live with oscillating levels of faith/works, thus neutralising this promise.
* [GotQuestions interpretation](https://www.gotquestions.org/seek-first-kingdom-God.html) : "Perhaps God knows that what truly we need is a time of poverty" - this lines up with the lived experience that many Christians are indeed poor. However this also provides plenty of room for worry for a family provider, that God may soverignly decide to impoverish your family.
* The interpretation that God only supplies food/drink/clothes as per this verse, and that is where his provision stops. How can this be of any comfort for someone who needs to provide their children a house, bed to sleep in, education, etc?
* The interpretation that this verse is in context of Jesus talking to the 12, thus was a promise for them, not us.
In light of these options, what maximally worry-dispelling biblical advice/counsel/interpretations for this verse can be reasonably justified?
Asked by Chris
(209 rep)
Apr 24, 2025, 08:49 PM
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