“And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span? If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters?” (Luke 12:25-26). Let’s look at these two questions and what Jesus taught about worry.
Two Questions
Jesus said we can’t even do this ‘very little thing?’ What is that ‘little thing?’ What are ‘other matters?’
Setting the Scene
On this occasion, Jesus spoke to a crowd on several topics. Before He taught on worry, He had warned against hypocrisy (vv 1-3), and addressed fear (4-7), witnessing (8-12), and riches (13-21).
[Then after teaching about worry, Jesus told us not to fear by setting our sights on heaven (vv 32-34).]
Jesus Taught About Worry
Worry
Then Jesus focused on worry. He didn’t want His children to worry about anything – not even our lives (Luke 12:25)!
Anything and Everything
Jesus gave similar teachings on worry in Matthew in His Sermon on the Mount. Besides our life, He cites our concern about food, drink, and clothing (Matthew 6:25). By including these basic needs, He means anything and everything. Is that what life consists of?
God’s Care
God feeds the birds, even though they don’t sow, reap, or gather into barns (Matthew 6:26). He clothes the lilies – better than Solomon! — and makes them grow even though they don’t work or spin (Matthew 6:28). Yet they just fade away; we’re more important to God than them (Matthew 6:26, 30).
This contrast between God’s care for the birds and the lilies, and the worry we often feel, should reassure us of His constant and loving care.
Little Faith
Jesus charged worriers with lacking faith, thinking like Gentiles, and not seeking His Kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:30; 32-33). Don’t we know that God knows we need these things? Doesn’t God promise to care for us? Doesn’t today have enough troubles? Do we also have to worry about tomorrow? Won’t tomorrow take care of itself (Matthew 6:34)?
The ‘Little Thing’
Jesus tells us what this ‘very little thing’ is:’
“Who of you by worrying can add one cubit to his height?” (Luke 12:25).
Worrying does not add to our stature. It’s a ‘very little thing,’ and we can’t even do that. Neither can we add years, months, days, or even minutes to our lifespan. Worrying accomplishes nothing! Instead, it robs us of life, both time and quality, or however we measure it. Our power to resolve issues that worry us is inconsequential compared to God’s power to do the same.
Understanding the futility of worry should bring relief and freedom from unnecessary burdens.
The ‘Other Matters’
Jesus made His point by telling us what ‘the other matters’ are. He asks why, if we can’t do that ‘little thing,’ do we worry about everything and anything? Instead, we should rest in God’s care and promises.
