In Matthew chapter 13, Jesus tells a parable about salvation, using the illustration of seeds planted in different types of soil and whether or not any fruit is produced from them. In the parable, there are four seeds that are planted but only one actually produces fruit. That 4th seed parallels the people who are truly saved. As with all scripture, though, God teaches other truths within the context of this passage that are applicable to our lives as well.

Verse 22 says “And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word and it becomes unfruitful.” This worry of the world has always been one of Satan’s greatest tools against believers. He will use it to keep seekers from coming to salvation and he will use it to take believers’ focus off Jesus.

Jesus elaborates on the subject of worry in Matthew 6:25-34. He points out that we are not to worry about food, drink or clothes because God knows we have need of all these things. We were never meant to worry about the necessities but only to seek first His kingdom. If we would only do that, God promises He will make sure our needs are met.

Jesus goes on to say that we are not to worry about tomorrow for it will take care of itself; that each day has enough trouble of its own. He acknowledges that we will have trouble in this life, but that this still doesn’t justify our worrying. In His vast wisdom and grace, God has given us only one responsibility, and that is to seek His kingdom. He wants us to trust Him to take care of the worries of the world.

So the next time you are overwhelmed with the worries of this life, no matter how noble they may seem, remember that He is the one who takes care of those details— that’s His responsibility. Ours is to seek His kingdom. And if we can manage to do that one thing, we will be free from worry and free to grow in our trust in God.