A practical outworking of loving vigilance, efforts and tenderness. Care is perfectly shown by God. People should imitate God's care, but human care is often limited, faulty or misplaced in self-centred ways.

Psalms 121:3

Caring as part of God's character

See also

God's care for his children

Psalms 8:4; 23:1; 65:9; 115:12
Matthew 6:32
Matthew 10:30-31

pp Lk 12:30

Luke 15:20

pp Lk 12:7

John 15:12

God is the father in this parable.

See also

Human care should reflect God's nature

Genesis 37:14
1 Samuel 10:2
2 Samuel 18:29
Esther 2:11
Luke 10:34-35
Acts 20:31
Philippians 4:10,14
1 Thessalonians 3:10
Isaiah 49:15

See also

God's care contrasted with human care

Psalms 118:9
Ezekiel 34:2-3,11-12
Zechariah 10:2-3
John 10:13-14
1 Timothy 3:5
Genesis 2:15

Care involves responsibility

See also

Genesis 39:4
Numbers 1:50
Proverbs 29:7
Matthew 21:33-34,41

pp Mk 12:1-2

pp Mk 12:9

1 Timothy 6:20

pp Lk 20:9-10

pp Lk 20:16

Ephesians 5:25

God's care reflected in human relationships

See also

Psalms 103:13-14
Ecclesiastes 11:5
Isaiah 49:15
Ephesians 6:1,4
1 Timothy 5:8
Jeremiah 48:10

To be careless or uncaring is wrong

See also

Deuteronomy 8:14
2 Chronicles 24:5
Isaiah 47:8
Zechariah 7:9-10
Matthew 12:36
Philippians 4:6

Care for worldly things is wrong

See also

Ecclesiastes 5:12
Matthew 6:31-32
Matthew 13:22

pp Lk 12:29-30

Luke 10:40-42; 21:34

pp Mk 4:18-19

1 Corinthians 7:32-34

pp Lk 8:14

1 Peter 5:7

God relieves his people of cares

See also

Psalms 37:25; 55:22

There is a vital distinction between "care" in the sense of "loving care" which Christians are to practise, and "worldly care" in the sense of "anxiety" which Christians should transfer to God, since they and their needs are his responsibility.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Isaiah 53:4
Matthew 11:28-29
Luke 12:11-12
John 14:1

See also

1085 God, love of
1220 God as shepherd
1330 God, the provider
5051 responsibility
5556 stewardship
5803 carelessness
5806 compassion
5886 individualism
8291 kindness
8292 love
8490 watchfulness
8849 worry