Kingdom
“‘But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.’”
Today’s Text: Matthew 6:25-34 (Living Life Daily Devotional)
This verse ought to be the mantra of every Christian soul. But it shouldn’t just be a mantra. It should be the principle that guides our living every day.
What are “all these things” that God promises to give to us when we “seek first His kingdom and his righteousness? I’ve heard it said that in the Scriptures, God always provides for food and clothes, but never a home.
I don’t think we should take that principle literalistically (that’s not an actual word, but it ought to be). There is absolutely nothing wrong with owning a home. And yet, there is some truth behind the principle that should influence and shape the posture of our hearts, if we call ourselves Christian. Because the posture of our hearts should be that our true home is our heavenly home (2 Corinthians 5:2, 4).
And with that posture, we find a freedom, inspiration, and motivation to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.” That statement is not merely about righteous living. Or maybe to put it more accurately, righteous living means to live according to the purposes of God for our lives relationally, ethically, and missionally, as given to us in the word of God.
Relationally, our need for Jesus and our love for one another is our priority and also our witness.
Ethically, “to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly” with our God is our lifestyle (Micah 6:8).
Missionally, to point people to Jesus here, there, and everywhere, understanding their eternal destiny, is our burden.
We can never just go through the motions of seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness. Seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness is the most natural thing in the world once we come to understand the worthiness of Almighty God—the Creator of the universe, the Giver of life, the Author of our salvation, the Forgiver of our sins, the Redeemer of our souls—and the love, mercy, and grace He has shown toward sinful, unworthy “me-myself-and-i.”
Who am I that He should be mindful of me?
But since God who sees me (Genesis 16:13) has determined to be mindful of me, to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness is not simply my obligation, but my joy. Because in doing so, I find God.
Father, Your ways boggle my mind. Why would you care about me. I am a sinner of no consequence. And yet, You sent Your one and only Son to pay my debt and redeem my soul. My life is Your, Lord, for You see me and You have called me. May You know me because of my devotion to You. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
