Matthew 6:26

Behold. By three examples from nature Jesus illustrates the truth that God, the Author of life, provides those things that are necessary to maintain life, and that man, therefore, need not be unduly anxious about securing them. These three illustrations are the wild birds (v. 26), human growth (v. 27), and wildflowers (v. 28).

The fowls. Wild birds owe nothing to human care. It is God who gives them existence and who provides for them. At the same time He requires that they exercise the ability with which He has endowed them, of foraging for their food. Perhaps few men work as hard and as incessantly for a living as does the sparrow, particularly when it has a nest full of young to provide for. Similarly, God expects man to accept the responsibility of working for the necessities of life. But, says Jesus, it was not God’s purpose that man should consider such work the aim and end of life.

They sow not. The Creator has ordained natural laws that operate to produce food (Job 38:41; Ps. 145:15, 16; 147:9). The food is there, but the birds must go and get it.

Feedeth them. The One who provides for these creatures of the wild is the One who can be counted on to provide us with the necessities of life. God has promised these to us if we are willing to work for them. The desire for a superabundance of material things is implanted by the evil one, and inevitably leads men to attempt to amass more than their share of the good things of life. It is this perverted desire that fosters selfishness and leads to crime, violence, and war.

Better than they. If God provides so bountifully for the lesser creatures of His hand, will He not have even greater concern for the happiness and well-being of man?