6:32Matthew 6:32

Your heavenly Father knows that you need food and drink and clothing and all other material necessities of life.ED 138.2+2 The Gentiles are those who do not know and trust God, who anxiously seek these earthly things and make them the chief concern and pursuit of life.Ms 139, 1897, par. 3–5+2 His children are therefore not to seek what to eat or drink or wear with anxious, unbelieving care that eclipses eternal interests and rules the heart.Lt 70, 1893, par. 29–33+4 They are to give first place to the kingdom of God and His righteousness, with the assurance that all needed temporal things will be added to them.ED 138.2+3 Trust in the Father's knowledge and care removes undue anxiety and brings rest, peace and joy, while calling for diligent work in dependence on His promise rather than on the outcome of efforts.ED 138.2+4

All these things are food and drink and clothing and every material necessity for life and the body, including daily bread, temporal provision, and financial needs.ED 138.2+4 The heavenly Father knows His people need these things, so they need not be anxious about them but may trust Him to supply them while they work diligently and wisely and depend on His promise rather than on the outcome of their efforts.ED 138.2+4 That trust belongs with seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, with confidence that what is needed will be provided, and with inward adorning in the meekness and righteousness of Christ that is precious to God and prepares for immortality.ED 138.2+3 Worry over what to eat and drink and wear, including busy domestic duties and care of children, must not rule life or become an excuse for neglecting study of the Word and taking up God-given responsibilities.Ms 139, 1897, par. 3–5

The Gentiles are those who do not know and trust God, who anxiously seek after food and drink and clothing and other earthly things and make them the chief concern and pursuit of life.Ms 139, 1897, par. 3–5+4 Such anxious seeking is rooted in unbelief and little faith, in contrast to God's children who trust their heavenly Father's knowledge and care.Lt 175, 1896, par. 19–23+3 It rebukes a self-serving life in professed disciples who give first consideration to houses and lands and business interests, showing greed and selfishness and sharp practices, diverting God's money into wrong channels and worldly plans, and refusing to leave Battle Creek for places of greater usefulness.Ms 108, 1905, par. 11–15 Being absorbed with worldly customs and giving oneself up to parties, concerts, dances, and giving feasts and attending feasts is the manner of the Gentiles, which converted parents as willing subjects of Christ refuse in order to bring up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord as members of the Lord's family rather than as society devotees sacrificed to Molech.Ms 7, 1899, par. 9

Your heavenly Father presents God as a tender, careful, compassionate parent who knows His children need food, drink, and clothing.Ms 20, 1894, par. 24–26+1 Christ's teaching restores confidence in God's paternal love against the picture of Him as a stern judge, with the privilege of approaching Him as Father.FE 309.1 Because He gave His precious Son and continually gives grace, believers can trust His pledged care, for His care reaches every home and every soul and attends to sorrows, relationships, and necessities.Ms 20, 1894, par. 24–26

The verse belongs to the Sermon on the Mount, where Christ corrected worldly ideas of His kingdom and taught its true nature and the conditions for entering it.Ms 177, 1905, par. 12+1 There He gave the far-reaching principles of the law of God as authoritative teaching wholly from God and simple enough for a child to study without being misled, and He gave a simple form of prayer whose teaching supports genuine trust in Jesus during peril and trial.Ms 177, 1905, par. 12+2 The state of the heart regulates life and character, so the claims of the law require having the spirit of the law in the heart, which when received brings cheerfulness, peace, and joy into work and gives blessedness here below.Lt 7, 1886, par. 34 The requirement to walk in the light given was reasonable and just, accepting nothing less than perfect obedience to His commandments, and failure to walk in that light was separating the Jewish people from God, with darkness coming upon them in the same proportion as light had been permitted to shine upon their pathway.Lt 7, 1886, par. 34+1

The verse stands with the command not to lay up treasures on earth, exposing the dangers and unbelief of the present time and calling for walking by faith in the heavenly Father who knows the need for earthly things.Ms 73, 1894, par. 1–3 It belongs to Christ's teaching to lay up treasure in heaven rather than treasure on earth where moth and rust corrupt and thieves steal, for where treasure is the heart will be also.Ms 151, 1898, par. 45–48+1 That teaching gives light to parents as teachers in God's place to act His mind and will in every particular, not to scold and fret at children or be harsh and punish them in anger, but to bring them up in habits of strict temperance as God commanded to Manoah's wife and Manoah concerning abstaining from wine, strong drink, anything of the vine, and unclean food.Ms 151, 1898, par. 45–48+1

The heavenly Father knows that His children need all these things, and every gift received comes from Him.ED 138.2+4 That knowledge covers food and drink and clothing and all material needs for life and the body, including daily necessities and temporal provision.ED 138.2+4 Because He knows, His children need not live in worry but can trust Him to supply what is necessary while they seek His kingdom and righteousness first.ED 138.2+4

He feeds the birds that do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and He notices when even a little sparrow falls.Lt 70, 1893, par. 29–33+1 He clothes the lilies, flowers, and grass of the field that do not toil or spin and live only today and tomorrow are cast into the oven, with beauty beyond Solomon in all his glory, nourishing every root.Lt 70, 1893, par. 29–33+4 Christ's care for the lilies and the grass shows that God clothes even the short-lived things of nature in natural simplicity and loveliness, and the flowers illustrate His provision and call for simple, quiet trust with no need for artificial display.Lt 53, 1898, par. 27–28+3 Blessings and care are proportionate to the place an object occupies in the scale of creation, so people made in His image and His purchased heritage are much better than birds and short-lived plants that wither in a day, and He will much more feed and clothe them.Lt 70, 1893, par. 29–33+4 To those who make the Saviour's principles their guide it is a precious promise that God will clothe them much more than He clothes the grass of the field.RH Jan 6, 1916

Though men and women have sinned grievously they are not forsaken, for the hand that upholds the world upholds His weakest child.Lt 79, 1900, par. 23–26+1 He gives the sunshine and rain that sustain earthly life, and angels minister to humanity, joining finite people to God.Lt 79, 1900, par. 23–26+1 Each human being has a page in the volume of providence with the events of his life history, never absent from the mind of God for a moment.Lt 79, 1900, par. 23–26 His care extends to all creation and to each person in every circumstance, great and small, and people can leave both great and small concerns in His hands and be free from undue anxiety.Lt 79, 1900, par. 23–26+1 That personal care reaches every home and every soul, attending to sorrows, relationships, and necessities, seeing youth away from home, understanding their temptations, and being ready to help them reach the highest standard when they recognize their need and seek His help, not remaining a stranger to the need for a place to worship Him, and knowing the need for preservation of every faculty and lengthening of life.MYP 413.3+2

Because He gave the greater gifts of life and the body and His precious Son, and continually gives grace to meet every human need, He can be trusted to provide what is needed to sustain and clothe life.Ms 20, 1894, par. 24–26+1 The Creator who gave life is not forgetful of its needs, and calling God Father presents Him as a tender, careful parent whose pledged care can be relied upon.Ms 20, 1894, par. 24–26+1 His care for eternal interests is greater than for temporal interests, though He cares for both.3SP 48.1 Recognizing that every gift comes from Him and letting gratitude for His goodness fill the heart brings a heavenly atmosphere to surround the soul.STB 823.2–3+1 That recognition calls for ordering life by the truth of God in His word, studying Scripture diligently as the truth of the living God and not a make-believe story, holding it as the foundation of faith and the assurance of hope for eternal life in the kingdom of heaven.STB 823.2–3+1 No anxious thought can add to stature, so natural growth depends wholly on the Lord, and spiritual growth depends on Him in the same way, with each person growing under God's supervision to his own individual measure as God works in him rather than by being shaped by another human mind.18MR 3.1–3

God's children are not to seek food and drink and clothing and all material needs for life and body with anxious, Gentile-like thought, saying what shall be eaten or drunk or worn, nor are they to make those temporal needs the chief concern or let them eclipse eternal interests and rule the heart.Lt 70, 1893, par. 29–33+4 Busy domestic duties and care of children must not rule life or become an excuse for neglecting study of the Word and taking up God-given responsibilities, but believers are to refuse anxious seeking and trust the Father's knowledge and care while giving first place to the kingdom of God and His righteousness.Lt 70, 1893, par. 29–33+2 Anxiety about dress is unnecessary for those who make Christ's principles their guide, for the heavenly Father knows the need for clothing and other daily necessities and has promised care and provision to those who put His kingdom and righteousness first.ST Jan 19, 1915+2

Anxious seeking after food, drink, clothing, and other worldly concerns as the chief pursuit is Gentile seeking rooted in unbelief and little faith, while the heavenly Father already knows human need for all these things.Ms 108, 1905, par. 11–15+4 Worrying over material needs in this way reflects love of self and the world and dishonors Christ, whereas sincere faith directs the heart toward heavenly things and God.RH Mar 29, 1870+2 As He clothes the lilies and grass of the field that last only a day and nourishes every root of the flowers that minister delight, He will much more clothe His children, so anxious care shows little faith.Ms 116, 1898, par. 10–11+1

The verse rebukes a life of self-serving in those who claim to be disciples of Christ yet give anxious care and first place to earthly needs, possessions, houses and lands and business interests.Ms 108, 1905, par. 11–15+2 Such a course shows greed and selfishness and sharp practices, diverting God's money into wrong channels and worldly plans, and refusing to leave Battle Creek for places of greater usefulness.Ms 108, 1905, par. 11–15+1 Those who act as the Gentiles act will be punished as the Gentiles for greed and worldliness when God visits for iniquity, only with greater severity because greater light makes their sin greater, and God will not spare without thorough conversion of soul.Ms 108, 1905, par. 11–15

Seeking after gain as the Gentiles do by diverting mission means from its true object to ambitious designs, by mingling human wisdom with the divine, by confusing minds about right and holy methods in business, and by unjustly acquiring means at another's expense to please lust for gain and power proves lack of learning God's holy law as explained in the pure gospel given upon the Mount.Ms 26, 1899, par. 29–30 Those who do so do not love God with the whole heart and neighbor as required, do not meet the holy standard of character, and need a cleansing and purging of the soul temple.Ms 26, 1899, par. 29–30

Trust in the Father's care extends to all creation and to each person in every circumstance, great and small, so people can leave concerns in His hands and be free from undue anxiety and find rest of soul.CE 54.4–55.1+1 Received into the heart, this teaching that the state of the heart regulates life and character brings cheerfulness, peace, and joy into work and gives blessedness here below.Lt 7, 1886, par. 34 The mind stayed on Him in trust is kept in perfect peace, with assurance that if His kingdom and righteousness are sought first all needed clothing and provision will be added.RH Jan 6, 1916+2

Believers are to refuse anxious seeking after food, drink, clothing and other temporal needs and to trust the knowledge and care of the heavenly Father, giving first place to the kingdom of God and His righteousness with assurance that all needed things will be added to them.ED 138.2+4 Unlike those who do not know God and make these things their chief concern and pursuit, God's children need not live in worry or ask anxiously what they shall eat or drink or wear, because the Father knows they need these things and is able and willing to provide what is necessary.Ms 139, 1897, par. 3–5+3 This assurance was spoken after the lesson from the lilies of the field in their natural simplicity and loveliness and from God clothing the grass of the field that lives only today and is burned tomorrow, rebuking little faith and joining the assurance of the Father's knowledge to the command to seek first the kingdom and the promise that all material things will be added.ST Jan 19, 1915+1 Busy domestic duties and care of children must not rule life or become an excuse for neglecting study of the Word and taking up God-given responsibilities.Ms 139, 1897, par. 3–5

The promise is conditional and is realized only when eternal things are made first and the things of this life secondary by living up to given light in faithful, willing, cheerful obedience.Lt 21, 1871, par. 4–5 When those conditions are believed and practically applied, God works for the obedient, His blessing abides upon them, His prospering hand attends them, He verifies His promise by adding all needed temporal things, and they receive the peace of Christ in their hearts.Lt 21, 1871, par. 4–5 When sacred things are neglected and a self-chosen, indifferent course is followed, the promise is not realized and God leaves the person to his own judgment and course.Lt 21, 1871, par. 4–5 They are to work diligently and wisely, but depend on God's promise rather than on the outcome of their efforts.ED 138.2

The righteousness to be sought is the heavenly adorning, the robe of Christ's righteousness that every person must put on to enter the pearly gates of the New Jerusalem.2T 496.2+1 It includes the inward adornment of the meekness and righteousness of Christ that is precious to God and prepares people for immortality.2T 496.2+1 His love is shown by the beautiful things of creation, for He nourishes every root of the flowers of the field that minister delight, so no artificial display is needed, and as He clothes the lilies and the grass that lasts only a day He will much more clothe His children.Lt 84, 1900, par. 12–14

Because the heavenly Father knows the temporal needs of His children, including daily bread, this knowledge gives reason to pray for necessities and blessings rather than making prayer unnecessary.Ms 33, 1898, par. 16–17+1 They may ask Him plainly for food and clothing as well as for the bread of life and Christ's righteousness, and through Jesus they receive every favor generously.Ms 33, 1898, par. 16–17 Awareness of need moves to earnest prayer, and the Father is moved by petitions.ST Sep 15, 1898

Eating, drinking, and clothing should not be the highest objects of concern or the chief objects of anxious pursuit, as they are for those who do not know God.CTBH 12.2+2 People are to toil for something higher than bodily provision, putting aside selfish desires and devoting their abilities and resources to God's work.CTBH 12.2+2 Excess in eating, drinking, and dress wastes time, money, and strength entrusted by God and harms the body, which should be offered to Him as a living sacrifice and preserved for His service.CTBH 12.2+1 The same teaching that assures disciples their heavenly Father knows their needs also gives them a simple form of prayer and supports genuine trust in Jesus during peril and trial.Ms 177, 1905, par. 12

Because the heavenly Father knows the necessities of His people, they are to work diligently and wisely while depending on His promise rather than on the outcome of their efforts, doing what they can and leaving to Him what they cannot perform, giving Him faithful service without becoming overanxious and without neglecting their own or their families' welfare or refraining from useful labor.ED 138.2+2 Anxiety about dress is unnecessary, for He knows the need for clothing and other daily necessities and has promised care and provision to those who put His kingdom and righteousness first, and His love shown in nourishing every root of the flowers of the field that minister delight shows that no artificial display is needed.MH 289.2–4+1 As He clothes the lilies and the short-lived grass of the field, He will much more clothe His children, so believers are to live a life of trust, simplicity, and modest dress rather than worry or reliance on outward display.Lt 84, 1900, par. 12–14+1 Food, drink, and clothing are not to become the highest objects of concern or the chief objects of anxious pursuit, but people are to seek something higher than bodily provision, since excess in eating, drinking, and dress wastes time, money, strength, and resources entrusted by God, harms the body, and hinders service to God.CTBH 12.2+1 The body is to be offered to Him as a living sacrifice, with every gift He has given preserved in a condition to fulfill His will, including preservation of every faculty and lengthening of life.CTBH 12.2+1

Worry over what to eat, drink, and wear, including busy domestic duties and care of children, must not rule life or become an excuse for neglecting study of the Word and taking up God-given responsibilities.Ms 139, 1897, par. 3–5 Concern with eating, drinking, and dressing can crowd out humble, prayerful service to God and the search for salvation, and worldly benefits and pleasures must not take the place of eternal things.Ms 139, 1897, par. 3–5+1 This trust keeps Sabbath observance peaceful rather than gloomy or uneasy by directing the mind toward God's gifts in nature and His kingdom rather than anxious preoccupation with necessities.Ms 21, 1897, par. 24–25 Clothing and other practical matters should therefore be put in order beforehand rather than left for Sabbath work, and children should be taught to take God's words seriously.Ms 21, 1897, par. 26 Parents standing in God's place as teachers are to act His mind and will in every particular, not scolding and fretting at children nor being harsh and punishing them in anger.Ms 151, 1898, par. 45–48+1 They are to bring them up in habits of strict temperance as commanded to Manoah's wife and Manoah concerning abstaining from wine, strong drink, anything of the vine, and unclean food, and in the nurture and admonition of the Lord as members of the Lord's family, refusing absorption in worldly customs, parties, concerts, dances, and giving and attending feasts, and working in the love of God with utmost tenderness and compassion to save the souls under their guidance.Ms 151, 1898, par. 45–48+2

Because the Father knows the need for food, drink, clothing, and all material needs for life and body, believers should not anxiously seek them nor fear giving to the cause of God, but lay up treasure in heaven by giving entrusted means into God's treasury to sustain His cause, for that is the only saving bank that will never fail.Lt 70, 1893, par. 29–33 Trust in His care frees people to sacrifice and use possessions to advance His work instead of clinging to earthly treasure, taking no anxious thought for the morrow while seeking first His kingdom and righteousness with assurance that all needed things shall be added.Lt 70, 1893, par. 29–33+1 Even in famine those who love God and keep His commandments and are faithful and self-sacrificing will not be left hungry or without clothing, for Christ works through those who have means to provide for people in need facing poverty and hardship, which calls for not hoarding but sharing provisions, and His words encourage people facing poverty and hardship to trust His love and follow His example.Ms 85, 1909, par. 7–9+2 The verse teaches contentment rather than determination to be rich or striving for place, position, honor, recognition, and worldly advantage, calling for yielding the will to the control of the Holy Spirit and making honoring Christ at every step the ambition.STB 828.2–829.1+2 Instead of elbowing a fellow worker aside to make room for personal plans, the greatest desire becomes working in just the place God has assigned where He can look with approval, putting away strife, hasty temper, and cruel speech.STB 828.2–829.1+1

Because the Father knows every need, faith in His care must be greater than anxiety about means, giving hope and courage in God as Helper, trusting Him for financial needs as He provides when He sees it is best, and advancing when the time to advance has fully come rather than holding back.Lt 361, 1907, par. 14+2 Anxiety about food, drink, and clothing is dangerous when it draws the mind away from present truth and the Bible and crowds out preparation for the time of trouble, readiness for Christ's coming, and the sealing work.ExVEGW 46.1–2+1 Instead of living in anxious distrust about the future or being absorbed in seeking earthly necessities, people should learn to wait upon Him, keep minds centered on Christ and heavenly things rather than selfish gratification, turn thoughts to heaven and its promised riches, be concerned with knowing and doing God's requirements, and practice praising God now in preparation for heavenly worship.RH Aug 24, 1916+2 He sees young people away from home, understands their temptations, and is ready to help them reach the highest standard when they recognize their need and seek His help.MYP 413.3