Seek first the kingdom of God.  What does that mean?

This statement is found in Matthew 6:33, in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.  The last half of chapter six is dealing particularly with right attitudes about material things.  First, in verses 19-21, there is His warning about seeking treasures on earth.  They are temporary and will be lost, one way or another.  Our treasure is in heaven!  Do not trade that for any amount of wealth on earth.  Second, in verses 22-24, we find a warning against trying to pursue both earthly and heavenly things.  One will dominate the other, and trying to hold on to worldly things while serving God, cannot be done.  Third, in verses 25-32 we are even warned about stressing over material necessities, like food, clothing and housing.  Excessive concern, even in these areas, will draw us away from God.  Don’t worry … God will provide.

That brings us to verse 33:  “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”  (But…) In contrast to materialistic treasure-seeking, compromising allegiance to God and money, and anxious fretting over the things of this life, seek first the kingdom of God.  The command to seek first is not talking about chronological order.  (Do the spiritual thing first then you can seek the other.  No!)  First means first place.  Give precedence, priority and preeminence to seeking the kingdom of God.  So, we are seeking first the kingdom in every moment of every day of every year.

Seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness means seeking the “rule” of God.  God rules in His kingdom and we are seeking that kingdom.  Seeking God’s rule is to seek righteousness because His rule leads us in all righteousness.  Seeking to be right with God takes precedence over every other interest or inclination.  Nothing else matters.  The promise is that, if we seek first the kingdom of God, … everything else falls into place farther down the list of concerns.