Seeking God
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:33
Jesus said to seek God first. Specifically, to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness”. To seek is to look for, to search out, to actively desire to find. We are all seeking something: love, success, fame, fortune, fulfillment. But how do we seek God’s kingdom and righteousness? What is his kingdom, and what is his righteousness? And how, exactly, do we seek them?
Notice that Jesus did not say “seek righteousness”. He said seek God’s righteousness. Striving to attain righteousness on our own will always fail. All the good works, all the self-improvement in the world will never make us righteous. Only God’s grace can do that. And what is the kingdom? Heaven, the life after? It’s so much more. God’s kingdom is right here on Earth; it’s his will, his plan, his good work shaping all of creation. We are called to be a part of that – to build his kingdom, to spread his glory.
So to seek these things first means to put our relationship with God (note: not our religion) above all else. Read and study the Word; practice what it says; praise and worship; fellowship with other believers; give thanks in all things. It’s not a to-do list to check off each day or you fail; it’s a way of life to practice and grow. It’s a process. It takes faith and obedience to focus our spiritual eyes on God’s kingdom and righteousness, and not on the earthly needs and desires in our lives. This is why Jesus says “all these things will be added to you” – referring to food, clothing, and our lives as whole. In the supernatural providence of God’s grace, these things will be provided for us without our anxious striving. We need only put him first.
with your time
with your talents
with wisdom
with hope
