Safety Third

Television and podcast host, Mike Rowe, of Dirty Jobs fame, is known to popularize the phrase “safety third.” “Safety third” contrasts with the often stated, “safety first” heard everywhere from construction sites to amusements parks. Rowe pushes back against the concept of “safety first” because if safety truly was of first importance, houses would never get built, container ships would never get unloaded, and roller coasters would sit empty. In all of life, there is some risk that is assumed in order for there to be production or at minimum, fun. Counterintuitively, in our text this morning, those who do not assume the risk of “seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33) are those who comply with safety being first. Those who live an anxious life – what Jesus calls the life of the Gentiles (6:32) – feel safety and protection based upon their wealth and possessions. Yet, Jesus reminds us that His people are not called to be obsessed with their material wealth and goods, because we have a good Father who provides those needs for us, in order that we may pursue that which is greater.

As Jesus challenges and comforts His disciples in the Sermon on the Mount, He tells His followers to consider the “wild birds” and the “wild grass and flowers.” Jesus wants His people to reflect on how the Father provides for both, though they both do either nothing or not much in the gathering of food or clothing. For our purposes, though, we should also notice the undomesticated nature of birds and fields. “Safety first” is not in the jargon of undomesticated nature. Yet, God cares for them, therefore how much more will He take care of His own image bearers and children.

Now, none of this talk of “safety third” is suggesting that we are called to live unwisely. The Proverbs, for instance, remind us to work hard (Proverbs 10:4; 13:4), plan for the future (Proverbs 6:6-8), and think diligently (Proverbs 21:5). Yet, we are able to live wisely and still assume the risk of “seeking the kingdom.” Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is the blueprint on what seeking the kingdom means. Safety third living is one in which we can love our enemies, show mercy and hospitality, be meek, and shine forth God’s light in the darkness. A life of self preservation seeks the very opposite: our own power and prestige, including our own wealth and goods. “Safety first” is what happened at the Tower of Babel: “Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth” (Genesis 11:4). Instead of obeying the creation mandate to “fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28), they decided – due to their pride and anxiety – to remain in the “safety” of their tower, only for God to judge it and them.

  As God’s people, we are called to live a John the Baptist life, though our diet and locale doesn’t need to copy his (Matthew 3:4). But there is an undomesticated nature to our kingdom seeking. We are not called to live anxious lives, hoarding up goods and power for ourselves, but rather called to live in the confidence that our Father will “add these things to us” (Matthew 6:33) as we pursue truly productive lives as citizens of His kingdom.