August 1, 2026

Gospel of Matthew 6:26

Added Value

Jesus says: Look at the birds in the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren´t you much more valuable than they are?

Dear Readers,

On the island of Helgoland, in the German North Sea, there is a so-called “bird observatory.” It has been used by ornithologists since mor than 100 years, to observe how migratory birds nest and how they behave while resting on the island. Today’s stamp honors this research facility. In the lower part of the stamp, you can see the island; in the upper part, a flock of birds in the sky.

Birds in the sky are part of human history. Even in the Garden of Eden, God commanded humankind to have dominion over the birds of the sky (Genesis 1:28). This means that God has entrusted all creatures to us human beings. We are supposed to treat the birds, the fish, and all animals — indeed, all of creation — with care. We humans are called to cherish and nurture them.

In His “Sermon on the Mount”, Jesus points to the birds in the air as an example of God’s loving care. Our Father in heaven provides for their needs. For God cares for what He has created. Our feathered friends find food without having to work for it. They do not worry. They are incapable of doing so. However, human beings do worry, and they often do so to excess. Jesus urges his listeners not to concern themselves exclusively with food and drink, clothing, and money. Of course, these things are part of life. But they shouldn´t be top priority. Life is more than that! Life means giving all top priority to God and His will (Gospel of Matthew 6:33):„Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. “

Why is that? Jesus says that you human beings are “more valuable, more precious” than the creatures in the heavens. How can we understand this? My key to understanding is the story of creation. In Genesis 1:27, I see what makes us humans “more valuable, more precious” than animals and plants: “So, God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; and He created them as men and female”. This likeness to God makes all the difference.

With this likeness, God also entrusts us with the great task of caring for all His creation. That is a great challenge. It is no longer simply a matter of increasing our own prosperity and seeking our own advantages, but rather of preserving the lives of other people and caring for all of creation, from the Amazonas river to the Arctic.

By looking up into the sky and pointing to the birds in flight, Jesus directs our gaze away from ourselves. He directs our gaze toward God and His creation. And this is what we must preserve!

May I give you a little brainteaser to conclude? Please take a sheet of paper and draw two columns on it. In the left column, write down the species of birds mentioned in the Bible. Which ones come to mind? Now, in the right column, please write down your worries about money, prosperity, food and drink, clothing, and much more. Congratulations if your list of birds on the left is longer than your list of worries on the right!

Thank you for visiting me and listening to me. May God bless you as His image-bearers. May He make you a blessing to others and a steward of your environment. I look forward to seeing you again at the next short sermon on August 15.