The birds don’t gather into barns. The lilies don’t spin their own clothing. Yet Jesus says both have something to teach us about trust.

Financial fear often begins when we realize how much we cannot control. We can plan wisely, save diligently, and prepare carefully—but tomorrow still belongs to God.

That’s why Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 offer such deep comfort for anxious hearts.

When Worry Feels Heavy

In Matthew 6, Jesus says, “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.” Later, He adds, “Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.”

For anyone who has struggled with financial fear, those words can feel heavy.

You may think, I know I shouldn’t worry—but I do.

You worry about the bills. You worry about your job. You worry about the market, retirement, your children, or what happens if the car breaks down, the medical bill comes in, or the paycheck doesn’t stretch far enough.

And then, on top of the worry, you may feel guilty for worrying.

But Jesus is not standing over anxious people simply saying, “Stop it.” Instead, He draws near and says, “Look.”

Look at the Birds. Consider the Lilies.

Jesus invites us to look at the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. He points us to a world that does not revolve around our control, our striving, our spreadsheets, or our ability to predict every outcome.

“The birds of the air” do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet our heavenly Father feeds them. The lilies do not toil or spin, and yet not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of them.

Jesus is not saying planning is wrong. Scripture encourages wise preparation and faithful stewardship. But He is exposing the illusion that we are in control.

Anxiety often grows in the gap between what we can manage and what we cannot guarantee.

We can make a budget, but we cannot control tomorrow. We can save wisely, but we cannot control the economy. We can work faithfully, but we cannot control every outcome.

And when we begin to believe everything depends on us, stewardship becomes a crushing burden. Planning turns into panic. Saving turns into hoarding. Responsibility turns into fear.

Your Father Knows

That’s why Jesus tells us to look beyond ourselves.

The birds are a sermon in the sky. The flowers are a testimony in the field. Creation itself is preaching the care of God.

And Jesus’ point is not merely “Don’t worry.” His deeper point is this: Your Father knows.

Your Father knows what you need. Your Father sees what burdens you. Your Father understands the bills, the uncertainty, the decisions, the pressure, and the fear that wakes you up at night.

And if He feeds the birds—creatures that do not bear His image—how much more will He care for you, His beloved child?

That does not mean every financial difficulty disappears. Jesus never promises a life without trouble. In fact, He says, “Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

There are real burdens in this life. There are real needs. There are real moments of uncertainty. But Jesus invites us to face today’s trouble with today’s grace.

Today’s Trouble, Today’s Grace

“Do not be anxious about tomorrow” is not a cold command. It is a tender invitation.

Jesus is reminding us that we do not have to live as though the future rests on our shoulders. We do not have to secure our own universe. We do not have to hold everything together.

Our Father is already there.

So what do we do with financial anxiety?

We bring it honestly to God. We name the fears we are carrying. We ask for wisdom where action is needed. We seek wise counsel when decisions feel too heavy. And then, with open hands, we release what we cannot control.

We do the next faithful thing today.

Our Security Is in God

As we do, we remember that our security is not ultimately in our income. It is not in our investments. It is not in our plans. It is not in our ability to foresee tomorrow.

Our security is in God—the One who knows what we need, invites us to look at the sparrows, and gives us the grace to trust Him one day at a time.

If financial fear and anxiety are weighing on your heart, we’d love to help you explore these truths more deeply through our 21-day devotional, Look at the Sparrows. You can order your copy at FaithFi.com/Shop. And if you’d like to go through it with your church or small group, bulk orders and bulk discounts are available there as well.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

I haven’t filed my tax returns for a few years, and I want to make things right. I’ve heard about the IRS “Fresh Start” program. Should I work with a tax relief company, hire a CPA, or contact the IRS directly through my local office?
My husband and I are in our mid-60s, and our business is winding down. We have roughly $900,000 to $1 million in real estate, including our home, business building, and another property, plus about $700,000 in stocks and bonds with an advisor. Is real estate considered aggressive or conservative in our overall portfolio? And at our age, how should our investments be allocated?
I’m 64 and want to set up a trust to help my assets avoid probate. Should I place only titled assets, like my home, in the trust, or should investment accounts be included too? Could retitling investment accounts into a trust trigger taxes? I also owe about $115,000 on my home. One of my children would like to live there with his kids, and I’d like my grandchildren to have a home if something happens to me. Should the trust pay off the mortgage from my assets, or should I consider life insurance or mortgage protection to cover it?

Resources Mentioned:

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.

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