What Does the Bible Say About Worry?

The short answer: Jesus told His followers not to worry about food, drink or clothing, because the heavenly Father already knows we need them. Instead of worrying, we are to seek first the kingdom of God, and He promises to add the things we need.

"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" (Matthew 6:25, KJV)

Why shouldn't a Christian worry?

Because God takes care of what belongs to Him. Jesus pointed to the birds and the flowers:

"Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?" (Matthew 6:26)

The lilies of the field don't work or spin, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of them. As our April 21, 2024 sermon put it: if God does that for flowers that may burn up tomorrow, "aren't you more important than that?"

What do people worry about most?

The same things Jesus named: money, provision and shelter. The sermon described people who "go from day to day, fretting and worrying, where's this next money coming in?" Jesus said those are the things unbelievers chase (Matthew 6:32).

What should we do instead of worrying?

Seek God first and pray. Jesus' answer to worry is a command and a promise: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)

King David brought his needs to God three times a day: "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice." (Psalm 55:17) The sermon called God's promise "the greatest deal that has ever been made to anybody."

Does God still provide today?

Yes. During a famine, God sent Elijah to a widow in Zarephath who had only enough meal for one last meal. She gave to God's prophet first, and her barrel never ran empty (1 Kings 17). As the sermon asked, "So you're saying God has become old and he's become feeble?" He has not. The God who kept her barrel full will meet your needs too.