Matthew 6:31-33 ( NKJV )
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Yesterday we began our discussion on walking by faith and not by sight. Just as the ability to physically see determines our level of freedom and effectiveness in the natural, so does faith where our spiritual life is concerned. Faith enables us to see into the realm of the spirit. We can see what God is doing and what is possible because of His involvement in our lives. We can look at the same situation as someone who does not have faith and see a totally different outcome. As believers we must walk by faith and not be limited to natural sight if we are going to be successful.
Another thing that we cannot do if we are going to be successful is allow worry to enter into the equation. Faith and worry are two opposite things. When we allow our minds to be filled with all the possible scenarios by which we could be defeated, we cannot fill our minds with the faith vision of victory. In the above scripture Jesus addresses this. There are a few things I would like to highlight that can help us not be overcome with worry.
First of all, Jesus acknowledges that we have need of certain things in life. This section of scripture focuses on physical provision primarily, however you can rest assured that God also knows and understands all the other needs of our lives. The principle is the same. Your Heavenly Father knows what you need. If we start there it will be a great comfort to us. Jesus uses the term “Heavenly Father” for a very definite reason.
In today’s society the father image can be a troubling one for many people. We have seen such a decline in true manhood and fatherhood that many people have a very low opinion of their fathers. The level of abuse and just bad parenting is appalling. We tend to be a culture of selfishness and that does not make for good fathering. In Jesus day this was not so much the case.
Jesus knew that most people would understand that a father, a good father, would never let his children go without what they truly need if it was in his power to provide it. God is not like any earthly father, even good ones. He is the model, the source for the whole idea of what a good father is. God knows his children need certain things and He will not let them go without those things. That is a truth we must be completely established in if we are ever going to walk by faith.
He also tells us the key to receiving by faith. It is the key for receiving anything by faith. Seek first, not second or third but first, the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all that you need will be added unto you. The only way to effectively walk by faith is to seek the Kingdom above all things. The term “His righteousness” here means to seek the right way of doing things. To seek to live in a way that is in tune with the righteous nature of God. If we will make that our priority we will be in a position to receive the blessings of God by faith.
The opposite of this is to do what the gentiles, or unbelievers, did. They seek first the things they need. When we make our needs the primary thing in our lives we are unable to receive those needs by faith. We are limited to the resources and means we can see with our physical eyes. When we seek God’s kingdom first, God is the one who adds all of the rest to us. He adds it in His time and in His way but He adds it.
What does it mean to seek God’s kingdom first? It means to set the same priorities in life that He does. Worship is a priority with God. Prayer is a priority with God. Love of others is probably the most important priority in God’ existence. (See John 3:16) Of course holiness, righteousness, honesty and integrity are high on His list of priorities. They must be on ours as well.
We demonstrate where God’s kingdom fits in our list of priorities by how much attention we give to the things that represent His kingdom in our lives. What place does His Word have in our lives. How about communication with Him in prayer. What about the local church. Do we fit these things in if they don’t interfere with the more “Important” things we have to do? We all understand the realities of work and family, but we must put seeking His kingdom at the top of our list not the bottom. When we have choices, we must choose to give priority to the things of the Kingdom rather than to other things. This means any other things.
I know this may sound difficult and even extreme. It is not. In life it spells the difference between me meeting my needs on the basis of what I can see and God being free to add to me what I need as I seek His kingdom first and foremost. Who do you think will do a better Job?
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