TP 12

Often times the small words are the most important ones. You probably are familiar with the old saying: "whenever you see a therefore in the text you have to see why it is there for." This of course applies only to those bible readers who would respect the meaning of the context.

Consider Matthew 6:25 (ESV) as an example of this: "Therefore I (Jesus) say to you: do not be being anxious about your life, neither with what you might eat nor with what you should clothe your body..."

The Greek text (Διὰ τοῦτο) suggests a more wooden wording: "For this reason... / because of this..." Therefore, our text is not an independent saying and command not to be anxious; it is an application of what has just been said by Jesus about serving two masters.

It is impossible to serve two masters, especially if they are God and Mammon. Worrying about food and clothes suggests that one is actually worshipping a different god. One's anxiety reveals that he is not trusting in God. How disturbing it is that worshipping idols requires only our distrust. On the other hand, how reassuring it is that Jesus teaches us to relax and trust in His providence. In neither one of the cases is any action required from us - it is all in the attitude.