Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on that God the Father has set his seal. (John 6:27 NRSV)
Food that perishes includes all material things and not just food that nourishes the body but also food of the mind and of the soul. These are things without eternal value. We are taught to not set our minds and efforts on these that do not last. They will be worthless at death and useless on the judgment day. Jesus does not mean to stop working for our livelihood. Instead, we should set the eyes of our heart to “Seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be yours as well.” Let us not spend all of our life seeking for food to live. Work to have food to eat and not live to work and eat. Jesus also said not to be anxiously attentive to your physical wants and needs. Esau, in his hunger, despised his birthright by selling it to Jacob. It did not please God. What is best is to seek things which glorify God. Use your wealth, power and talents to serve the Lord. These are given to you to equip you in your serving the Lord and to gain for yourselves riches which you can still enjoy when you get to heaven.
