Near the end of his epistle to church members at Philippi, Paul gives the following surprising advice:
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:6
Surely it’s a good idea to be careful! What could Paul have meant?
The context suggests that he wanted us to not be unduly concerned about anything (see footnote a), and in fact that’s the meaning of the Greek word merimnao (μεριμνάω). The word implies a level of anxiety which causes a person to be pulled apart or to “go to pieces.” The same word appears in the Gospel of Luke when Jesus observes to Martha, “Thou art careful and troubled about many things” (Luke 10:41). It also appears in the following passages:
- “Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink…” (Matthew 6:25-34, Luke 12:22-26, 3 Nephi 13:25-34).
- “When they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak” (Matthew 10:19, Luke 12:11).
- “He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22, Mark 4:19, Luke 8:14).
- “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 upon you unawares” (Luke 21:34).
Of course it’s good to be conscientious and to do things well! There are many scriptures which teach this principle, including King Benjamin’s counsel to “watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds” (Mosiah 4:30). Paul himself used the same Greek word to urge church members in Corinth to “care one for another” (1 Corinthians 12:25). He also used it to praise Timothy for his heartfelt ministry to church members. (See Philippians 2:19-20.)
However, there comes a point when all that conscientiousness or “carefulness” becomes counterproductive, when it begins to tear us apart. The remedy in this case is increased faith, coupled with a simplification of our discipleship. Does everything really have to be done perfectly, or can we focus on the few things that matter most and avoid setting unrealistic expectations for ourselves and for others?
So Paul’s counsel in this verse is not a call to sloppiness. It’s a call to simplification and increased faith. We will be happier and more productive if we focus on our highest priorities and trust God to help us do them well.
Today, I will avoid being “unduly concerned” about anything. I will simplify my life and strive to do the most important things well with God’s help instead of trying to do everything perfectly on my own.