Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
Are you not much more valuable than they? (The birds of the air)
…will he not much more clothe you…?
Matthew 6 is an immensely rich chapter in the New Testament Gospels. It speaks of “much more” in terms like rewards and treasures. What exactly are these rewards and treasures and how much are they?
Since we live in the present, it is natural that we think of what more we want now. More money, to be sure. More expensive toys—probably more of everything that touches our daily lives. (The list and the quantity desired are endless.)
We also worry about the future. Will we have more of what we desire now or even as much as we now have?
So, for both the now and the future, while there are legitimate concerns regarding necessities and simple pleasures, we must acknowledge that we all want more, often only for the sake of more. Furthermore, we look primarily to ourselves to provide it.
But is this a healthy way to live—constantly seeking more, seeking it in conventional ways, and depending upon our often meager talents and abilities? Are we frustrated with bad luck, mad at our own weaknesses to generate more, or the simple discovery that more is never enough?
Returning to Matthew 6, we begin to understand that the concept of more may require a change of mind on our part: what it really is and where and how it may be found.
For example, what would a wardrobe more splendid than Solomon’s (the richest ruler of his time) look like? How could it be compared to the flowers of the field?
Let’s apply a gold standard to our search for more.
What is more precious than gold? Words? Law? Instruction?
And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.
Psalm 12:6
The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
Psalm 119:72
Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,
Proverbs 8:10
Is it possible that our search for more is misdirected? Are we blind?
You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred?Matthew 23:17
To remove our blindness, where shall we look?
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33
If our current gold standard is an unworthy standard, and look elsewhere, what might we find?
Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
Acts 3:6
We shall find much, much more in the love of God expressed through Christ. It is forgiveness, a body full of light, clothing more splendid than that of Solomon, food, drink, and righteousness (a right relationship with our creator). It is eternal life, the power to change, and the gifts of the Spirit. It is a mansion in the Father’s house, peace that surpasses understanding, an enduring friendship, an advocate, a guide through the valley of darkness. It is manifold blessings. And much, much more.
The greatest more is the love of Christ, from which all more descends: more treasures, more rewards because they are of a different and superior kind.
