5. God is the one you must fear. Not only can he take your life, but he can throw you into hell. God is certainly the one you should fear!
6. Five sparrows are sold for just two pennies, but God doesn't forget a single one of them.
7. Even the hairs on your head are counted. So don't be afraid! You are worth much more than many sparrows.
8. If you tell others that you belong to me, the Son of Man will tell God's angels that you are my followers.
9. But if you reject me, you will be rejected in front of them.
10. If you speak against the Son of Man, you can be forgiven, but if you speak against the Holy Spirit, you cannot be forgiven.
11. When you are brought to trial in the Jewish meeting places or before rulers or officials, don't worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say.
12. At that time the Holy Spirit will tell you what to say.
13. A man in a crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to give me my share of what our father left us when he died.”
14. Jesus answered, “Who gave me the right to settle arguments between you and your brother?”
15. Then he said to the crowd, “Don't be greedy! Owning a lot of things won't make your life safe.”
16. So Jesus told them this story:A rich man's farm produced a big crop,
17. and he said to himself, “What can I do? I don't have a place large enough to store everything.”
18. Later, he said, “Now I know what I'll do. I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones, where I can store all my grain and other goods.
19. Then I'll say to myself, ‘You have stored up enough good things to last for years to come. Live it up! Eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.’ ”
20. But God said to him, “You fool! Tonight you will die. Then who will get what you have stored up?”
21. “This is what happens to people who store up everything for themselves, but are poor in the sight of God.”
22. Jesus said to his disciples:I tell you not to worry about your life! Don't worry about having something to eat or wear.
23. Life is more than food or clothing.
24. Look at the crows! They don't plant or harvest, and they don't have storehouses or barns. But God takes care of them. You are much more important than any birds.
25. Can worry make you live longer?