Hi Mike,
I would like to share my belief on this issue. Here is some beautiful scripture from Isaiah 58.
Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed
and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD ?
6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness [a] will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
13 "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the LORD's holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
14 then you will find your joy in the LORD,
and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob."
The mouth of the LORD has spoken
As Jesus said, the kingdom of heaven is within.
One way to start doing this is to simply pray for others whether they are friends, enemies, poor etc. I think if we really try it will be exciting since we are trying to follow Jesus. I think its more than just considering physical needs it has to be true spiritual love and service for others including those that seem unlovable. I believe that to enter God's spiritual kingdom we have to go through a major change of heart and learn to love others. If I remember correctly the last quality in Peter's list to make our election sure is love. I think we must get to the point where we don't just try to respect people or donate some things but we must really really love them and love God. God is love.
I don't think this is a parable since Jesus is talking to his disciples. I thought he spoke parables to the multitudes but sometimes he spoke straightforward to his disciples.
I think Jesus is warning about worrying because if we are always dwelling on our physical needs how will we grow spiritually. I have trouble sometimes worrying about worldly things (jobs etc) and disasters but I gotta realize God is in control and worrying doesnt help one bit.
I hope I did not ramble or preach too much but I just had some thoughts I wanted to share.
May God bless,
Steve