While detailing the idealized law of the kingdom in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls on his disciples to have an absolute reliance upon God's provision for those in his service, a full confidence rather than a cowardly anxiety.

v25. Having exposed what "slave service to mammon" is all about, 6:19-24, we are now provided with a theological basis for a life dedicated to God rather than the things of this world. By means of a series of rhetorical questions Jesus develops this theology. The first rhetorical question draws out the truth that life is more important than things, or more particularly, a life lived to God is of more value than a life lived for things.

v26. The second rhetorical question draws out the truth that God's promised providential care for his children is due to their exceeding value. Disciples, in kingdom service, have no need to be anxious for their welfare (fear prompting wealth creation) for the Lord resources those who are his. The first illustration from nature supports this proposition - God provides for the birds so obviously he will provide for his children.

v27. The third rhetorical question draws out the truth that a disciples' life is in God's hands; all the anxiety/fear security programs in the world will in no way lengthen or shorten it. We should note that instead of "can worry make you live longer?" some translation have "can worry make you taller?" It is more than likely that Jesus is speaking about the length of a person's life, rather than the length of their torso.

v28-30. The fourth rhetorical question (in two parts, v28 and v30), draws out the point that since "God lavishes infinite pains on these things ("flowers of the field"), brief though their span of life is: how much more will he care for his children?", Manson Sayings. Again, Jesus is drawing out the application that the disciple has no need to be anxiously focused on their welfare, an anxiety which prompts a provision-focused life ("the worry of the world and the deceit of wealth", 13:22), an attitude which debilitates ("chokes") faith. The intricate design details of a flower should remind us that God is well able to handle the simpler planning necessary for the provision of those in his service.

v31-33. Having established that God's provision for the lower orders of creation assures his provision for the higher, especially his children in serve to him, the disciple is now told to put aside fearful anxiety and replace it with trust in a loving Father - his eternal rule and covenant faithfulness ("his kingdom and his righteousness"). This is not a command to adopt a careless disregard for the provision of ourselves and our family, but rather to trust that God's will supply all the resources we need in our service to him.

v34. In summary then, God has promised all the resources necessary for our service to him, not just for today, but every day. So, let us pray for those resources, "give us today our daily bread", and leave "tomorrow" to the Lord.

Have you noticed that birds actually work hard to feed themselves and their young, and at times, they do go hungry, even starve to death? Yes, it happens to humans as well; it happens to God's people. The simple fact is, there is little evidence that Jesus intended a literal fulfilment of this passage. So, what is Jesus talking about when he promises that God will provide for all our needs, what we eat, what we drink and what we wear?

What Jesus is doing is drawing on Old Testament images, of God's provision for his people Israel - Manna during the wilderness wanderings, the Jubilee year, the sabbatical year, the Sabbath, ... all imaging the fact that God will provide for his people in their service to him. Jesus is not into promoting laziness, or against preparing for lean times, but rather he is into driving home the truth that God will provide the resources necessary for our kingdom service - manna for our journey to the promised land. And so we pray, "give us this day our daily bread" - give us today the resources we need in our service to you. So, by faith we can cast aside fear ("worry/anxiety") for today, and every day like it.

The truth is, we will never box-in the providence of God. All the "I prayed and Jesus did X" stories, can be counted with "I prayed and Jesus didn't do X for me. How come he did X for you and not me?" I want to tell you a strange story; make of it what you will. In my early ministry I was right into youth work - outreach youth programs, clubs, camps, ..... As the years went by I noticed that we were always set for transport, just enough seats for everyone who attended. Even when a bus broke down, it broke down close to home; we were never stranded. On one occasion the engine seized on the return journey and we rolled the last couple of miles down to the church. Yes, camps were washed out, speakers failed to turn up, all the usual disasters, but for transport, it always worked. It just seemed to me that in the transport department we had divine help, and so rightly, or wrongly, I gave due recognition to Jesus as our "Transport Officer." Mind you, for me, he is always The Transport Officer, for I look forward to the day when he will transport me to glory.

So, here lies the truth, when it comes to serving Jesus, he resources us as necessary to complete his mission through us. When it comes to kingdom business, the King has it in hand; we need not fear.

Consider some of the ways that the Lord resources his disciples in the business of realizing the kingdom of God, the business of gathering in the lost and building them up in the Lord.