How many favorites do you have?  Favorite ice cream, favorite pair of shoes, favorite pair of jeans, favorite restaurant; we all have a list.  The other day friends and I were talking along this line and then someone mentioned their favorite Scripture.  It really got me to thinking.  I actually have several “favorite” Scriptures and thought this week I would write some thoughts about Matthew 6:33 which is one of them:  “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”.

The “but” that begins this verse 33 obviously indicates that it’s referring to the previous verses.  Beginning with verse 25 it’s referring to not worrying about our clothing or food, or what we should drink.  Verse 27 tells us that worrying does not and cannot add any good stature to us.  God is aware of all that we need (verse 32) and has made provision for us – so there is no need to worry.  In fact if we are spending our time worrying about something, then we have our focus on the wrong thing.  What we need to do is make sure we keep our focus on the Lord and seek Him to see how we are to receive His provision, for His does provide for us in many different ways.  It may be in the form of a getting a job, or a raise in salary, or that someone actually blesses us by providing what we need.  One thing for sure is that God does not rain money down from heaven, nor does He always meet our need in the same way.  He is creative that way!

As I was meditating on verse 33 I saw two things that are a result of seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. First, things are added to us in provisions that meet our needs, even our wants and desires.  Secondly, there are thing that won’t be added to us because our heart is fixed on Him and His Word.   Let me explain.

This principle goes back to Deuteronomy 28 where we read that blessings come from obedience and curses (or the lack of blessings) come from disobedience.  It isn’t so much that God is cursing us with lack as it is that when we walk in disobedience we walk out into the area of lack.  It’s all about choices!

When we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness:

We will have no other gods before us, we will not steel or give false witness against others; we will not covet, (Deuteronomy 5:7). Giving a false witness is also the same as gossiping.  We will not speak harsh words thereby stirring up anger (Proverbs 15:1).  We will not sin when we are angry, nor let corrupt words proceed out of our mouth (Ephesians 4:26, 29).  You can probably think of some others.

When we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness:  we will speak the truth in love (Ephesians 15). We will walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:12, Revelation 3:4).  We will cast down imaginations that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God and bring them into the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).  We will love one another as Christ loves us (John 13:34-45).

When we completely and honestly seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness then all these things are added to us: the blessings that come with obedience to His Word and the power to avoid the pitfalls of sin that come with disobedience.

When we seek the Lord and His righteousness we are able to lay down every weight (worry, frustration, aggravation, envy, etc) and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race before us.  We will be able to say as Paul did, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course; I have kept the faith (Hebrew 12:1, 2 Timothy 4:7).

As a result of seeking God first we receive power to walk in victory according to His Word. 

Heavenly Father, I pray this week that each of us will search our heart and determine to truly seek first Your Kingdom and Your righteousness; not in a selfish way to “just” receive Your Blessing but in humble adoration and love because of who you are: a good God who is loving and merciful at all times.