Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5802 care

5802 care

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5760 Human attitudes and behaviour » 5802 care

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.

Caring as part of God's character

God's care for his children

Psalm 121:3 See also Psalm 8:4; Psalm 23:1; Psalm 65:9; Psalm 115:12; Matthew 6:32 pp Luke 12:30; Matthew 10:30-31 pp Luke 12:7; Luke 15:20 God is the father in this parable.

Human care should reflect God's nature

God's care contrasted with human care

Isaiah 49:15 See also Psalm 118:9; Ezekiel 34:2-3,11-12; Zechariah 10:2-3; John 10:13-14; 1 Timothy 3:5

Care involves responsibility

Genesis 2:15 See also Genesis 39:4; Numbers 1:50; Proverbs 29:7; Matthew 21:33-34,41 pp Mark 12:1-2 pp Mark 12:9 pp Luke 20:9-10 pp Luke 20:16; 1 Timothy 6:20

God's care reflected in human relationships

Ephesians 5:25 See also Psalm 103:13-14; Ecclesiastes 11:5; Isaiah 49:15; Ephesians 6:1,4; 1 Timothy 5:8

To be careless or uncaring is wrong

Jeremiah 48:10 See also Deuteronomy 8:14; 2 Chronicles 24:5; Isaiah 47:8; Zechariah 7:9-10; Matthew 12:36

Care for worldly things is wrong

Philippians 4:6 See also Ecclesiastes 5:12; Matthew 6:31-32 pp Luke 12:29-30; Matthew 13:22 pp Mark 4:18-19 pp Luke 8:14; Luke 10:40-42; Luke 21:34; 1 Corinthians 7:32-34

God relieves his people of cares

1 Peter 5:7 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. See also Psalm 37:25; Psalm 55:22; Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 53:4; Matthew 11:28-29; Luke 12:11-12; John 14:1