In the biblical context, "worldly care" refers to the concerns and anxieties associated with the material and temporal aspects of life. These cares often distract individuals from spiritual growth and devotion to God. The Bible addresses worldly care as a potential hindrance to faith and a source of spiritual distraction.

Scriptural References:

1. Matthew 6:25-34 · In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses the issue of worldly care by urging His followers not to worry about their lives, what they will eat or drink, or about their bodies and what they will wear. He emphasizes the importance of seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, assuring that all these things will be added to them. Jesus states, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34).

2. Mark 4:18-19 · In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus describes how the seed sown among thorns represents those who hear the word, but the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. This passage highlights how worldly concerns can stifle spiritual growth and fruitfulness.

3. Luke 10:41-42 · The account of Martha and Mary illustrates the tension between worldly care and spiritual focus. Martha is described as being "worried and upset about many things," while Mary has chosen the "better part" by sitting at Jesus' feet and listening to His teaching. Jesus gently rebukes Martha, indicating that spiritual attentiveness should take precedence over worldly concerns.

4. Philippians 4:6-7 · The Apostle Paul advises believers not to be anxious about anything but to present their requests to God through prayer and petition with thanksgiving. He assures them that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. This passage encourages believers to replace worldly anxiety with trust in God's provision and care.

5. 1 Peter 5:7 · Peter exhorts believers to cast all their anxieties on God because He cares for them. This instruction underscores the importance of relying on God's providence rather than being consumed by worldly concerns.

Theological Implications:

Worldly care is often portrayed in Scripture as a distraction from one's relationship with God. It can lead to a divided heart, where the pursuit of material needs and desires overshadows spiritual priorities. The Bible consistently calls believers to trust in God's provision and to prioritize their spiritual well-being over temporal concerns.

The teachings of Jesus and the apostles emphasize the transient nature of worldly possessions and the eternal value of spiritual pursuits. By focusing on God's kingdom and righteousness, believers are encouraged to live a life of faith, free from the anxieties that accompany worldly care.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to examine their lives for areas where worldly care may be overshadowing their spiritual focus. This involves a conscious effort to prioritize prayer, Scripture study, and service to others over the pursuit of material wealth and security. By trusting in God's provision and casting their cares upon Him, Christians can experience the peace and contentment that come from a life centered on Christ.Psalm 39:6
Surely every man walks in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heaps up riches, and knows not who shall gather them.
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Psalm 127:2
It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he gives his beloved sleep.
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Ecclesiastes 4:8
There is one alone, and there is not a second; yes, he has neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither said he, For whom do I labor, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yes, it is a sore travail.
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Matthew 6:25-34
Therefore I say to you, Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor yet for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
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Matthew 13:22
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
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Mark 4:19
And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
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Luke 8:14
And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
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Luke 12:27
Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say to you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
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Luke 14:18-20
And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said to him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray you have me excused.
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Luke 21:34
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come on you unawares.
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1 Corinthians 7:32,33
But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried cares for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
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Philippians 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
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2 Timothy 2:4
No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier.
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Anxious Care
... And then, still further, Christ points out here, not only what is the real root
of this solicitous care"something very like worldly-mindedness, heathen ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/anxious care.htm

Have a Care.
... Vain worldly fame's a painted flow'r" Have a care! She dwells in an enchanted
bow'r" Many a snare. Beware" She'll chide you in an evil hour. ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/have a care.htm

Lii. Concerning Hypocrisy, Worldly Anxiety, Watchfulness, and his ...
... Concerning Hypocrisy, Worldly Anxiety, Watchfulness, and His Approaching Passion. ...
they would be at all times the objects of God's special care and providence ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lii concerning hypocrisy worldly anxiety.htm

The True Gnostic is Beneficent, Continent, and Despises Worldly ...
... is superior in the conduct of life, preserving certainly, in his care for the ... 3616]
Such is the gnostic labourer, who has the mastery of worldly desires even ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xii the true gnostic is.htm

Worldly Business no Plea for the Neglect of Religion
... nature, and disorder of their passions, so pleasing, that they care not whether ... their
natural state, because they have been encumbered about many worldly things ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/worldly business no plea for.htm

The Forty-Third Chapter: Beware Vain and Worldly Knowledge
... INTERNAL CONSOLATION The Forty-Third Chapter: Beware Vain and Worldly Knowledge. ...
woe to those who inquire of men about many curious things, and care very little ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the forty-third chapter beware vain.htm

That a True Lover Despises Worldly Things and Desires Heavenly ...
... in the beginning of their turning, for dread of God, forsake sins and worldly vanities:
and ... thy prayer to Him; be not weary ever to seek Him; care for nothing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter xxviii that a true.htm

Of the Felicity and Sweetness of God's Love: and of the ...
... Therefore made the bearer of poverty I despise earthly dignity and care for no honour ...
Worldly lovers soothly may know the words, or the ditties of our song but ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter xii of the felicity.htm

Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Paul's Care and Prayer for the ...
... When we pray with glowing hearts, external gestures will take care of themselves ...
It would be a pity for the worldly to see a godly Christian, so God blinds them ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/sixteenth sunday after trinity pauls.htm

Children and Childlike Men
... realisation of the unseen; an absence of developed vices and hard worldliness; a
faculty of living in the present, free from anxious care and worldly hearts. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/children and childlike men.htm

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