Saturday 31st August
Matthew 6:28-30
“‘And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you – you of little faith?” (NIVUK)
The areas Jesus chose to address as challenging to those who follow Him – food and fashion – are as great a concern today as they were then. The difference perhaps, and the distance of many centuries makes this difficult to know with certainty, is that when He was speaking to the crowds then, food and clothing were considered essential to life. These days, whilst they remain essential for many in the world, in our society they are sadly used to indicate status. Cooking and fashion shows dominate the airwaves.
Maybe that is where the slightly out-of-place reference to Solomon begins to make sense. For some of His listeners, the temptation to lack of faith did indeed lean towards being able to put food on the table and keep warm in winter. For others the temptation to look good and eat well whilst others, less fortunate, watched on. Solomon, a known fashion icon (apparently), was the benchmark for good living. If Jesus is making the point that not even the most fashionable can hold a candle to the Creator, then worrying about keeping up with that set is just as foolish as worrying about whether God can, or will, provide.
Which warning do you need to hear? Is your faith robust enough?
