Anxiety is
characteristic of the Gentiles, for they rely on their own strength and work
instead of relying on God. They do not know that the Father knows that we have
need of all these things, and so they try to do for themselves what they do not
expect from God. But the disciples know that the rule is "Seek ye first
the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added
unto you." Anxiety for food and clothing is clearly not the same thing as
anxiety for the kingdom of God, however much we should like to persuade
ourselves that when we are working for our families and concerning ourselves with
bread and houses we are thereby building the kingdom, as though the kingdom
could be realized only through our worldly cares.
The kingdom of
God and his righteousness are sharply distinguished from the gifts of the world
which come our way. That kingdom is none other than the righteousness of Matt.
5 and 6, the righteousness of the cross and of following Christ beneath that
cross. Fellowship with Jesus and obedience to his commandment come first, and
all else follows. Worldly cares are not a part of our discipleship, but distinct and subordinate concerns.
Before we start taking thought for our life, our food and clothing, our work and families, we must seek the righteousness of Christ. This is no more than an ultimate summing up of all that has been said before. Again we have here either a crushing burden, which holds out no hope for the poor and wretched, or else it is the quintessence of the gospel, which brings the promise of freedom and perfect joy. Jesus does not tell us what we ought to do but cannot; he tells us what God has given us and promises still to give. If Christ has been given us, if we are called to his discipleship we are given all things, literally all things. He will see to it that they are added unto us. If we follow Jesus and look only to his righteousness, we are in his hands and under the protection of him and his Father. And if we are in communion with the Father, nought can harm us. We shall always be assured that he can feed his children and will not suffer them to hunger. God will help us in the hour of need, and he knows our needs.
- Dietrich
Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship, 1937.
