Consider the ravens, for they sow not, neither do they reap, neither have they storehouse nor barn, and God feedeth them. How much are you more valuable than they?
κατανοησατε τους κορακας οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν οις ουκ εστιν ταμειον ουδε αποθηκη και ο θεος τρεφει αυτους ποσω μαλλον υμεις διαφερετε των πετεινων
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He demonstrates this with the example of ravens, referencing these birds to bring us to a state of humility. While He could have referenced the holy prophets like Elijah and Moses, He chooses to highlight birds for an even deeper sense of inadequacy. Subsequently, He offers an additional justification.
You might ask, "Who will provide all that we need for life?" Our response is clear: The Lord can be trusted, and He assures you of this consistently. Even in small matters, He gives you complete confidence that He will remain faithful in larger ones. He reminds us, "Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap; they have neither storehouse nor barn; yet God feeds them." Through strengthening our spiritual resilience, He teaches us to view even death with indifference, as He instructs, "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul." Likewise, to demonstrate His providence, He uses seemingly insignificant things as evidence, stating, "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?
and not one of them shall fall to the ground without your Father; but the very hairs of your head are all numbered; fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." Through the examples of birds and wildflowers, He cultivates a steadfast and unshakeable faith within us. He assures us that we need not question His intention to show kindness and extend His comforting hand to provide for our needs. Furthermore, it is indeed wrong that while those who are bound in physical servitude depend on their masters for sustenance, we hesitate to place our trust in Almighty God when He guarantees us the necessities of life.
You may ask, who will provide for our essential needs? The answer is this: The Lord is deserving of your trust, having made clear promises to you. Through even the simplest of things, He assures you of His faithfulness in greater matters. Observe the ravens; they neither plant nor harvest, and yet God provides for them (Luke 12:24). By using the examples of birds and wildflowers, He strengthens your faith to be steadfast and unyielding. It is not that He dismisses our doubts entirely; rather, He instills in us the assurance that He will bestow His grace and reach out to comfort us, enabling us to thrive in all aspects.
A greater concern is that those who find themselves in the bondage of physical oppression may rely solely on their masters for sustenance, believing that being fed and clothed is enough. Yet, we should not waver in our trust in the Almighty when He assures us of our fundamental needs.
The root of greed is rooted in worldly desires. Yet, you might respond, "I am frail and unable to labor with my own hands. When I grow old and infirm, who will care for me?" Pay attention to the words of Jesus to His disciples: "Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them" (Matthew 6:25-26). If you find yourself lacking, consider the lilies of the field. If you experience hunger, heed the one who delights in providing for the needy and the famished.
"Consider the birds of the air," He states (Matthew 6:26). We ought to exemplify this beautiful and significant lesson in faith! God's providence abundantly provides for the birds of the heavens, which neither till the soil nor gather a bountiful harvest. They receive more than enough sustenance without the act of planting or cultivating, as they are unaware of claiming the gifts provided to them for shared sustenance. Our deficiencies arise from our own avarice! In striving to protect what we perceive as ours, we have forfeited the collective good, for true ownership is an illusion when permanence is absent, and no lasting treasure exists where outcomes are unpredictable.
Why do you consider riches as yours alone when the Lord intended your provisions to be enjoyed alongside other creatures? (Cf. Psalm 103:14). The birds of the sky seek no exclusive claim, and thus they do not experience hunger, as they are free from envy towards others.
In that section, you will discover this as well.
During a discussion with His disciples, someone approached Jesus, asking Him to intervene in a dispute over an inheritance with his siblings. The Lord never assumed the role of a civil judge; in this instance, He declined the request. Instead, He highlighted how self-interest can fracture the bonds among even the closest of kin and admonished the foolishness of those who seek to amass wealth through any means possible, presenting the parable of the foolish rich man. He then shifted back to the earlier conversation with His disciples, connecting it to the lesson found in this parable.
He continued to clarify for His apostles the inappropriateness of being overly concerned with earthly matters, urging them to seek the treasures of heaven and the kingdom of God, encouraging them not to lose heart, even if this kingdom did not manifest immediately. To illustrate His point, He shared the parable of servants who await their master's return, prepared to greet him during the late watches of the night, alongside the parable of a thief who unexpectedly breaks into a house—both serving as metaphors for the suddenness of the Lord's return in judgment.
In His discourse with the disciples, Christ teaches them liberation from not only greed and the pursuit of wealth but also from the anxieties of this world. This guidance is articulated in Matthew 6:25-33 and Matthew 19:21.
Christ continued to elaborate on this idea, urging His listeners to refrain from getting lost in the fleeting distractions of this world and to prioritize their souls, which hold greater value than the physical body. The body represents the basest aspect of humanity, akin to that of lower creatures, leading to the conclusion that one need not overly concern themselves with fulfilling its desires, as nature provides ample provisions. Consider the crows: "they neither sow nor reap; they have neither storehouses nor barns, and God feeds them." Are humans not of greater worth than birds? The same applies to our attire.
"Look at the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." If God so beautifully adorns the grass of the field, which is here today and gone tomorrow, how much more will He care for you, O ye of little faith? Hence, there is no need for excessive worry regarding sustenance and garments. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Furthermore, the Savior reassured them with comforting words: "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Various interpretations of these remarkable teachings can be found within the Sermon on the Mount, as noted in Matthew 6.
In alleviating anxiety not just concerning riches, but also with regard to earthly possessions overall, the Lord emphasizes the profound mercy, love, and concern of God for beings below humanity; refer to Matthew 6:26-33.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 25 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS