Author : Keith Sharp
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
The negative conjunction “But” at the beginning of this verse places the attitude the Lord commands His subjects to have in contrast with that of the Gentiles (verse 32). Unbelievers seek only material things. To them, success equals wealth. We must set a higher goal.
This statement brings together the subject of “mammon” (Material wealth – verse 19-34) and the whole theme of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:17-20). It answers the question, What should be our chief aim in life?
We are to “Seek.” This carries the idea of a thorough absorbing search, one which completely engrosses our love, energy, ability, and time (Matthew 13:44-45).
This is to be “first.” The issue is priorities. What is most important to me? We must put spiritual things ahead of everything else in our lives (Colossians 3:1-4). If we do this, it will determine how we live our day-to-day lives.
We are to seek God’s “kingdom” and “righteousness”. This is the theme of the wonderful sermon Jesus was preaching, the righteousness of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:20). The Sermon on the Mount is the most concise overview of the nature and principles of the kingdom of God.
John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1-2), Christ (Matthew 4:17), and the Master’s disciples (Matthew 10:7) all announced to Israel the approaching heavenly kingdom promised by the prophet of old. Those who believed the prophets were literally waiting for the advent of the kingdom (Luke 2:25). This sermon as well as the burden of the message of Christ while He was on earth, point to Pentecost, when the heavenly kingdom was established upon earth (Acts 1:6-8; 2:1-4, 29-36). That kingdom is the reign of God through His Son Christ Jesus in the hearts and lives of His people (Luke 17:20-21; Ephesians 1:15-23).
The kingdom is spiritual in nature (John 18:36; Romans 14:17), and its blessings are those that benefit our spirits (Ephesians 1:3). The sum of those blessings is the righteousness that comes from God alone through Christ and the gospel (Romans 1:16-17; 3:21-26; 10:1-3).
Of course Christ rules in all areas of our lives: family, civil, economic, social and spiritual (Colossians 3:17). But, if we “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness”, the spiritual will come first. Kingdom blessings (Colossians 1:13-14), kingdom relationships (Matthew 16:18-19), and kingdom work (Matthew 20:1; 28:18-20) will have first priority in our lives. Instead of giving god the time left from selfish pursuits, He will have the firstfruits of our lives.
Never allow the material things of this life to cause you to lose sight of the preeminent things, God’s kingdom and righteousness. Physical possessions perish, the blessings of the kingdom are permanent, even for eternity (2 Corinthians 4:16-5:1).
Putting God’s kingdom and righteousness first in our lives is a matter of faith. He has promised if we give Him first priority, He will take care of our material needs (Matthew 6:33). Do we trust God to do what He has promised? (Romans 3:3-4; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:17-18) “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Do we have enough faith to put Him first?
What place do the kingdom of God and His righteousness occupy in our lives? What we say means little. How do we live?
