Lessons from Lilies
Philipose Vaidyar
Every generation wrestles with the same question: How should we live?
Some say, “Work hard, save wisely, and care for family.”
Others insist, “Don’t stress—just enjoy life; God will provide.”
In our fast-paced, consumer-driven world—where Instagram whispers, “Treat yourself,” and advertisements murmur, “You deserve more”—it’s natural to dream of a simpler, stress-free life. But what if true peace isn’t found in budgets, balance sheets, or luxury, but in the quiet lessons of creation itself?
After all, Jesus pointed us to the birds and the lilies. Perhaps the animals had it right all along.
So, let’s pause, step away from the city noise, and take a walk through the forest and fields. There’s a gospel being preached out there, too—the Animal Kingdom Gospel.
Part 1: The Animal Kingdom Gospel
Jesus said:
“Do not worry about tomorrow. Look at the birds of the air… see the
lilies of the field.”
Ah, what a simple model for
life! If only humans could live like animals—carefree, instinct-driven, moving
with the rhythm of creation, unconcerned about exams, EMIs, or grocery bills.
·
Birds don’t sow, reap, or store up.
They live day by day, chirping with the morning light, hunting in the evening.
Their wings carry them wherever food is found, and their songs rise with the
dawn without a care for tomorrow.
·
Lilies don’t fret over fashion or
status. They bloom season after season, filling the fields with effortless
beauty. They neither toil nor spin, yet radiate a splendor that needs no human
effort.
·
Animals eat when hungry, sleep when
tired, fight when threatened, and play when free. They move with creation’s
rhythm, content with what each day brings.
·
Parents in the wild care for their
young until they are strong enough to survive. The chicks spread their wings,
the cubs learn to hunt, and the calves begin to walk. In time, each one goes its
way, and life in the wild carries on.
Part 2: Stop Press, Think.
Sounds liberating, doesn’t it?
Until you realize—you’re not a bird, not a lily, not an antelope. You’re human, created in God’s image with reason, responsibility, and relationships.
· Birds don’t pay rent or school fees.
· Lilies don’t provide medical care for aging parents.
· Lions don’t build societies where justice matters.
To imitate animals while ignoring the Creator’s design is to live half the truth.
Here’s the irony: some who claim to “live like the birds” still:
· Spend lavishly on Starbucks coffee.
· Upgrade phones every year.
· Buy smartwatches that tell the same time as a cheaper one.
· Dine at fine restaurants while neighbors struggle for basic survival food.
This isn’t birdlike faith—it’s consumerism wrapped in fake spirituality. Irresponsibility dressed up as freedom.
The truth is: Jesus was not inviting us to abandon responsibility but to be free from anxiety.
· To “not worry” doesn’t mean “don’t plan.”
· To “trust God” doesn’t mean “neglect family.”
· To “consider the lilies” doesn’t mean “chase luxury and then blame God when it fails.”
A Pause for Reflection
Jesus warns against living
solely for the present moment. Consider the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:19–21):
“And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many
years. Take life easy; eat, drink, and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You
fool! This very night, your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get
what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with whoever
stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
Pleasure without purpose is
perilous.
Children are a heritage, not a commodity we customize or acquire like
possessions. Likewise, parents
are not disposable—they are the ones who gave us life. Scripture illustrates
this with honor and care: Abraham purchased a burial site in Canaan as an act of faith in God’s
promise. Jacob, though he died in Egypt, was lovingly cared for by his children
in his old age. When he died, they honored his wish by carrying his body to
Canaan for burial—a final expression of their devotion and faith. Later, the
Israelites carried Joseph’s bones from Egypt to the Promised Land, fulfilling
his request and affirming God’s promise.
Even some animals gather around their dead, but
humans—created in God’s image—are called to a higher responsibility. If Jacob’s
sons cared for him in life and honored him in death, how much more should we
cherish and respect those entrusted to us while they live? True faith values
life as much as it honors death.
Yet many children today think:
It was my parents’ duty to care for me; now it is only my duty to
care for my children.
Does that mean children have
only rights and no responsibilities, and parents only responsibilities with no
rights?
Part 3: The Real Call – Work, Stewardship, and Care
Pulling out parts of a Bible passage out of context to satisfy oneself is neither biblical nor Christian. Read and meditate on Scripture with a willingness to learn and obey. The passage that draws our attention to the birds of the air calls us to seek God’s Kingdom and His righteousness. We are also advised to go to the ant and learn from it.
The Scriptures are clear:
·
“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise.” (Prov. 6:6) — Ants save for the future. Wisdom is in preparation,
not waste.
·
“Which of you, wanting to build a tower, does not first sit down and
calculate the cost?” (Luke 14:28) — Planning is
faith in action.
·
“Do not love the world or anything in the world… For everything in
the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of
life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires
pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15–17) — Worldly passions fade; obedience to God lasts
forever.
·
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in
need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” (1 John 3:17) — Real faith produces generosity.
·
In Matthew 25, Jesus separates
sheep from goats. The sheep are those who fed the hungry, clothed the naked,
visited the sick, and welcomed the stranger. True faith is practical love.
·
“Honor your father and mother”—the first commandment with a
promise—“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on
the earth.” (Eph. 6:2–3) — Respecting and caring
for parents is a key to blessing.
·
“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, especially their
own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Tim. 5:8) — Family care is not optional.
Living it Out
How do we apply these truths? By
cultivating contentment:
·
Not chasing luxury or endless
upgrades.
·
Not bowing to every
advertisement screaming, “You need this to be
complete.”
·
Not wasting God’s resources on
greed while neighbors and parents struggle.
Instead, Christians are called
to be faithful stewards—managing
money, time, and energy wisely at home, in the church, and in the community.
True discipleship is not about consuming more but about loving more, giving more, and serving more.
Conclusion
Yes, look at the birds and lilies—but learn the right lesson. God provides. He cares. He sustains. He calls us to reflect His care by being responsible, generous, and wise.
Faith is not carefree indulgence; it is trust expressed through hard work, wise stewardship, love for family, and compassion for others. To live otherwise is folly.
Do not live like animals, whose destiny ends at death. You are created with a soul and spirit for eternal life and an eternal kingdom. Jesus reminded us not to worry excessively about what to eat or wear, but to:
“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt. 6:33)
This is the punchline: the gospel is not about reckless freedom, but about living out God’s eternal principles with responsibility and faithfulness. Trust your Creator—and He will provide everything you need.
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