The concept of "overmuch care" refers to excessive worry or anxiety about the concerns of life, which can detract from one's faith and trust in God's provision. The Bible addresses this issue, encouraging believers to live free from undue worry and to place their trust in God.

Biblical Exhortations Against Worry

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus directly addresses the issue of worry. In Matthew 6:25-34 , He instructs His followers not to be anxious about their lives, what they will eat or drink, or about their bodies and what they will wear. Jesus emphasizes that life is more than food and the body more than clothing. He points to the birds of the air and the lilies of the field as examples of God's provision, stating, "Are you not much more valuable than they?" (Matthew 6:26). Jesus concludes with the command, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34).

Trust in God's Provision

The Bible consistently teaches that God is a faithful provider. Philippians 4:6-7 advises believers, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This passage highlights the importance of prayer and thanksgiving as antidotes to anxiety, promising divine peace as a result.

The Role of Faith

Faith plays a crucial role in overcoming overmuch care. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." This assurance allows believers to trust in God's promises and His sovereign control over all circumstances. In 1 Peter 5:7 , believers are encouraged to "Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." This act of casting one's cares upon God is an expression of faith and trust in His loving care.

The Example of Mary and Martha

The account of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42 provides a practical illustration of the principle of being without overmuch care. Martha is described as "distracted by all the preparations that had to be made," while Mary chooses to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to His teaching. Jesus commends Mary for choosing "what is better," indicating that prioritizing spiritual nourishment over worldly concerns is the path to peace and fulfillment.

Practical Application

Believers are called to live a life characterized by trust in God rather than being consumed by the cares of this world. This involves a conscious decision to focus on God's kingdom and righteousness, as Jesus instructs in Matthew 6:33 : "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." By prioritizing spiritual matters and relying on God's provision, Christians can experience freedom from the burdens of overmuch care.1 Corinthians 7:32
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:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Teaching of the Apostle on this Subject.
... possessions as not to cleave to them by overmuch love; "and ... have wives in such a
way as to care for the ... Lord, how they may please the Lord, without having any ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 15 the teaching of the.htm

Of Reading, which is Next to Prayer. ...
... Therefore, if the indiscreet readers, without considering their own spirits ... life
were ruined; they do by this overmuch exactness and care, instead of ...
/.../chapter iii of reading which.htm

Internal Affective Prayer of Contemplation Hath Always Been ...
... reason that he could not keep his mind fixed on God, but did overmuch reflect upon ...
his duty; so that in the midst of a throng of cares he lived without care. ...
/.../chapter vii internal affective prayer.htm

To whom the Method of Perfection Should be Laid Open.
... of this sort be "swallowed up in overmuch sorrow." [1931 ... For one who is kindly and
without sorrow, shall ... in want." [1932] With all possible care therefore avoid ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xvii to whom the.htm

1 Cor. x. 25
... But not then scrupulous overmuch, nor again, on ... brother, though thou shouldest remain
without food, though ... made this their chiefest care: examine accurately ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxv 1 cor x.htm

The First Book
... accounts already given that nothing is done without the care ... to desire to exercise
the same care for the ... great, and their sin is increased overmuch." [93] The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the first book.htm

Acts xxviii. 1
... Thus a body also, being idle and without motion, is ... even pain in moderation; a good
thing, care; a good ... one relaxes, but the other (by overmuch tension) breaks ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily liv acts xxviii 1.htm

I am first to give you some directions for bringing your people to ...
... rich or poor, that so they may be without excuse: for if ... he may know whom he has
to take care of and ... do not expect them to perplex their minds overmuch about it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/article 1.htm

Letter Xcv. (AD 408. )
... have I to do to judge them also that are without? ... But when this is necessary, how
much care and fear ... an one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow;" adding ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xcv a d 408.htm

Rom. xiv. 1, 2
... feebler sort, he does on this ground need considerable care. ... is it that we are to
be punished without end for ... and lest by having humored you overmuch, I should ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxv rom xiv 1.htm

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