Matthew 6:24-34 (WEB) - No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can't serve both God and Mammon. Therefore, I tell you, don't be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn't life more than food, and the body more than clothing? See the birds of the sky, that they don't sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you of much more value than they? 'Which of you, by being anxious, can add one moment to his lifespan? Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin, yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won't he much more clothe you, you of little faith. 'Therefore don't be anxious, saying, 'What will we eat?', 'What will we drink?' or, 'With what will we be clothed?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first God's Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore don't be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day's own evil is sufficient.

In America, we strive for the 'dream' of a nice family, car, home, and job. We have been conditioned to strive for secure lifestyles that allow us to live 'on our own terms' (i.e. vacations, additional homes, money, hobbies, etc.). From our youth, this 'dream' is ingrained in us to reach for and obtain...and anything less is failure.

Now, we can't blame society (because we have to take responsibility for our own actions), but we cannot allowed the securities of this world to consume us - where we will go, what we will do, and how we will make it when we get there. If we live in this manner, we can remain attached to the world and miss God's mark (His will) because we are more concerned about having a secure life than seeking God's will and righteousness.

Jesus says God knows what we have need of (v.32) - so what do we have to worry about?! Let us place our trust in God to provide for every one of our needs. Let us place our energy, time, and focus on seeking first the kingdom of heaven and His righteousness.

Seeking the kingdom of heaven and His righteousness represents God's will and His way of living. Seeking the kingdom represents:

• the striving of salvation through faith/belief in Jesus Christ
• living as Jesus (our King) has established as 'citizens' of His kingdom

God's righteousness represents living in right standing before Him. It is living in His will.

Do not allow the security of the world to sway your life as a disciple of Jesus. Be secure in Him.