Over the past few days we’ve been immersed in what the Old Testament has to say about animals. Now, finally, today we come to the New Testament.
The New Testament does not have as many passages about animals, perhaps because by that time more people were settled in cities & did not have the same level of day to day contact as they did in earlier times. Still, some of our very favorite passages come from the New Testament & the one of Matthew ranks among the top.
It is, sometimes, we find, difficult to let go of our worldly worries & trust in the Lord… but always, all around us, even if we live in the city, we have the reminder of the birds & the lilies of the field that His hand is always there to support & protect us.
We also love the hold film Lillies of the Field, so it’s worth a mention here. The humility & poignancy of the performance by Sidney Poiter is something that will stay with you for life. If you have not seen it, it is a beautiful & moving film & something suitable for everyone of any age.
19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
22 “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!
24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God[e] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
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