The Idolization Of Worry (Part 2)

It is interesting to note that in this small section of Matthew (see Part 1), the word “worry” is mentioned six times by our Lord. Why does he mention it so much in this short passage? I believe one reason is obvious. We, like those who were listening to Him on the mountain, are people who worry. We worry over almost anything imaginable and more specifically over those things that are most immediate to us; those things that have grabbed our attention throughout the day. Why is this a problem? Shouldn’t we be concerned about our family, friends, our work, paying our bills? Shouldn’t we be thinking about and planning for our future? Is Jesus telling us to release ourselves from all provisions, to be naked (both literally and figuratively) as it were, and to call on Him every second when we need something. I don’t believe so. I think His emphasis goes much deeper. 
I think He’s saying to us, “Don’t make worry into an idol.” More specifically, “Don’t make the worry over money and what it can provide your idol.” The reason I believe this is because He uses that concise word, “therefore”, as He begins Matthew 6:24. That “therefore” points us to the previous passage which reads, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24 NKJV) Mammon is an older word for money or riches. In other words, worry over money and/or the lack of it to provide for our needs/wants can be an idol. It can be a fabricated god that we are loyal to, thereby rejecting out true God. And Jesus doesn’t allow us to ride the fence: “You cannot serve God and mammon.”
Worry and our constant preoccupations of this world divides our loyalty to God. Worry when it is magnified reflects a lack of trust in God and our relationship to Him. So what do we do? Well, Jesus provides the answer…”But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 NKJV) Jesus points us back to our king, our father and all that is contained in Him. If we get this right every time then our worries, concerns (which can be another word for worry) of this world will be taken care of. We can trust that. 
And Jesus is not just talking from His head or making something up. He lived it every single day! Jesus did not worry because His focus and loyalty and love was toward His father. As a result, He was provided with everything He needed. When Peter came to Him talking about needing to pay taxes, Jesus told Him he’d find a coin in a fishes mouth. When He needed to feed the five thousand (and even himself if I may add), He took and miraculously multiplied a boy’s lunch. The scriptures do not record that He went walking around naked, so He had clothes on His back and shoes on His feet. Even when He was experiencing His darkest hour in the Garden Of Gethsemane, He was not alone. God was there to provide His son’s need for comfort and peace. Jesus instructs us to turn our affection back to our father. Don’t make worry (especially as it applies to money and what it provides) an idol. If we seek Him first, our provisions will come. - JSS