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Time after Pentecost · Proper 3 · Year A

Matthew 6:24-34

Treasures in Heaven

The Parable of the Lilies of the Field (May), Marten van Valckenborch
The Parable of the Lilies of the Field (May), Marten van Valckenborch, about 1580–90Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna
In a spring landscape thick with flowers, Christ stands among his disciples pointing to the lilies, while the farmhouses and fields stretch away behind.Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin … strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness.Marten van ValckenborchA Flemish landscape painter whose series of the months set a parable of Christ in each season.Kunsthistorisches Museum, ViennaKunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

Overview & Insights

“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

This section of the Sermon on the Mount focuses on human allegiances and trusting God for daily needs. The Lord’s Prayer in the previous section has already highlighted these themes: allegiance to God and God’s kingdom (6:9–10) and requests for daily needs (6:11). Matthew 6:16–24 then deals with issues of allegiance, followed by attention to daily needs such as food and clothing (6:25–34). This passage includes the first reference to “little faith” (6:30), occurring five times in Matthew, each time being Jesus’ description of the disciples (8:26; 14:31; 16:8; 17:20). The passage also brings together clearly the two motifs of the entire Sermon on the Mount: God’s kingdom and covenant loyalty or righteousness. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (6:33).

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What does Jesus teach about worry?

You cannot serve both God and money, so do not be anxious about food or clothing. Look at the birds and the lilies, your Father feeds and clothes them, and seek first his kingdom (Matthew 6:24–34).

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