Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 6:26

"Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value then they?" — Matthew 6:26 (ASV)

Behold the fowls of the air. The second argument for confidence in God's providence is derived from a beautiful reference to the birds of heaven. See, said the Savior, see the fowls of the air: they have no anxiety about the supply of their needs; they do not sow or reap. In innumerable flocks they fill the air; they fill the grove with music, meet the coming light of the morning with their songs, and pour their notes on the evening breezes, not anxious about the supply of their needs. Yet how few die from hunger!

How regularly they are fed from the hand of God! How He ministers to their unnumbered needs! He sees their young open wide their mouths, and seek their meat at His hand, and how cheerfully and regularly their necessities are supplied! You, said the Savior to His disciples, you are of more consequence than they are; and shall God feed them in such numbers, and allow you to lack? It cannot be. Put confidence, then, in that Universal Parent who feeds all the birds of the air, and do not fear that He will also supply your needs.

Better than they. Of more consequence. Your lives are of more importance than theirs, and God will therefore provide for you.