Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and
all these things will be given to you as well.”
Everybody is pursuing
something in life. The pursuit of happiness is in the Declaration of Independence as: endowed by our Creator as an inalienable Right, and many are busily engaged in
that pursuit to no avail. They do this in the most uncritical fashion, without
ever asking if their pursuit is the proper goal they should spend their time, effort and energy on. So, what do you pursue? Jesus Christ told us exactly what our lives should
be all about. The Christian’s first and foremost concern on earth should be the
pursuit of God’s kingdom and His righteousness. I’ve read that to seek God’s
kingdom first involves some examining of our first priorities.
Luke 12:34 “For where
your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
It is amazing how many people in our society select the goal
of making money first as their primary goal in life. Other people adopt
pleasure first as their life goal. Others spend their lives making their own
kingdom first where they can reign and rule their world. Ultimately, your goal in
life is essentially our god. I remember the late Pastor David Rader saying that
he could quickly see what a person’s goals and priorities were by simply
looking at their debt card statement or checkbook registry. We just watched a
great Christian movie the other night titled “Ring the Bell” on the same
subject of looking for happiness and fulfillment in the wrong things and the
true source of both.
Jeremiah 45:5 “Should you
then seek great things
for yourself? Do not seek them.”
The Lord Jesus said: “But seek first his kingdom and
his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you.” One devotional asks, what
does it mean to seek the kingdom of God? First, Christians are to seek the advancement
and extension of Christ’s kingdom, which involves the matter of sharing the
Gospel of Jesus Christ with those who do not know the Good news. The
Plymouth Pilgrim’s Mayflower Compact states: “In the name of God, Amen. We,
whose names are underwritten, having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement
of the Christian Faith, to plant the first Colony in the northern Parts
of Virginia.” Secondly, it means discipling, teaching and building up people in
the faith. Seeking first the kingdom of God should extend until every phase of
our lives lies under His dominion in the king’s domain. Then we will be at
peace with God and ourselves.
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