FIRST THINGS FIRST

Luke 12:22-31 (NRSV) - He said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you--you of little faith! 29 And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. 30 For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

Your food and drink and clothing, all
        are needed, it is true.
But do not concentrate on them,
        as worldly people do.

For life is more than these things, and
        anxiety is hell.
But if you seek God’s kingdom first,
        God gives these things as well.

The One who feeds the ravens and
        who clothes the lilies, too,
O you of little faith, will not
        your God provide for you?

So rather than be anxious, serve
        your God with words and deeds,
and God will prompt you what to pray
        and satisfy your needs.