CATHOLIC. BAPTIST. PRESBYTERIAN. NON-DENOMINATIONAL. It really doesn’t matter what background you may have; the common factor here on earth is that we all have needs. I can remember, not too many years ago, trying to figure out how I could take on a few additional jobs just to get ahead in my finances. I was like a dog chasing its tail, always on the go but never getting anywhere.
One day, I had the amazing idea of taking this matter to the Lord to see what He had to say about it. At first, I got nothing. I would sit quietly (even in my closet) trying my hardest to hear from the Lord. Finally, He gave me the thought, “The answers to most every question can be found in the Word of God.” So, I began to search and that’s when I found Matthew 6:33 (NKJV), “But seek first the [K]ingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
In Matthew 6:25-32 Jesus said not to worry and that all things (referring to everyday necessities like clothes, food, and drink) will be added to us when we follow the basic instructions found in Matthew 6:33. What exactly is the Kingdom of God spoken of in this Scripture and how does one seek it? The answer is easy – Jesus.
The Kingdom of God is fresh revelation of Jesus Christ that can only be found in the Word of God and through the teachings of anointed men and women of God. After receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the veil is torn off the believer’s heart (2 Corinthians 3:12-18). When this happens, the believer can then seek knowledge about Jesus in the Scriptures and in teachings and receive better understanding from them.
There are many parables in the Bible that describe the Kingdom of God as a good and loving Kingdom. Those who don’t believe in Jesus see these parables as confusing. However, those who believe and thirst for Jesus are given the ability to understand clearly.
Then He explained to them, “You have been permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others have not. To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them” (Matthew 13:11-12, NLT).
When we seek first the Kingdom of God, we receive an abundance of knowledge and all the things we need in life are added to us. When we keep our eyes on Jesus and not on the material things, it is amazing how God will begin to supply abundantly.
Often times, when Matthew 6:33 is discussed, we seem to focus on the “the Kingdom of God” portion of this verse, but overlook “and His righteousness.” His righteousness is a key part to the instructions for having all these things added, for two reasons. First, so we can receive them and second, so we are able to keep them. We can disqualify ourselves from receiving the abundant blessings that God wants to shower upon us because of our self-righteousness, or the illusion of it. The enemy tries to condemn the believer with thoughts that we are not worthy to receive such great gifts. This is a lie! The minute we make Jesus our Lord and Savior, our Father God in Heaven sees us through the cross, in Jesus and His perfection (2 Corinthians 5:17). Since Jesus bore all our sins on the cross, God remembers our sins no more (Isaiah 43:25). We are worthy because of Jesus.
When material blessings begin to manifest in our lives, sometimes we have the tendency to look at ourselves as the reason for our success. When this occurs self-righteousness is taking root which leads to a haughty spirit. The Bible states in Proverbs 16:18 (NKJV), “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.” If one allows self-righteousness to develop, destruction is not far behind.
By daily seeking first the Kingdom of God and continually reminding ourselves that we are the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus, we allow all good things to be added to our lives (Matthew 6:33; 2 Corinthians 5:21). When we realize that it’s all because of Jesus, we are able to keep the things the Lord has paid for with His blood. We can achieve this by starting the day seeking a fresh revelation of Jesus by reading a verse in the morning or listening to a teaching on the drive to work or school. God’s blessings will begin to overtake us when we receive the sweet revelation that we are in right standing with God because of Jesus and His love for us (Romans 5:9; Deuteronomy 28:1-14). Then, we are able to become a real blessing to others and share the Kingdom of God that’s within us. Glory!
