"But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).
In my Bible, these words are printed in red, which means Jesus spoke them. It also indicates importance. We’re wise to pay attention when our Savior speaks, as He offers much wisdom. Many Christians have heard the verse, but do we know its true meaning? What does “Seek first the kingdom of God” mean and how do we do it? So how can Christians seek first the kingdom of God? Let’s find out.
What Does “Seek First the Kingdom of God" Mean in Matthew 6:33?
The phrase sounds easy enough — seek first the kingdom of God. In Matthew 6:33 (ESV) it says: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” But what if we read the verse in context? This allows us to better understand Christ’s intended meaning. In this case, that requires studying Matthew 6:25-34.
Jesus states more than a simple command that pinpoints the worries of this world. And don’t miss that God wraps up this passage with a promise: When we seek Him first, He gives us exactly what we need. We can trust Him.
According to the Matthew J. Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible, this passage centers on worldly concerns like worry or anxiety, temptations most of us face. Jesus warned His disciples about worldly concerns often, and we counter them by seeking God and His righteousness.
The Almighty calls us to seek first the kingdom of God instead of worrying about what we’ll eat, how we’ll dress — temporal or superficial concerns. Our Father, who is love and far more trustworthy than man, encourages us through Matthew 6:33 and other Bible verses to keep an eternal perspective even as we cross each day off of our calendars. You and I are called to refuse worry and anxiety. Instead, we seek first the kingdom of God.
Here’s a listing of Bible verses concerning anxiety and worry to help us.
What Does it Mean to Seek God’s Kingdom?
Children love playing hide and seek — a game in which all but one participant hides with the intent of being the last one found. But it wouldn’t amount to much if one person didn’t seek the others, would it? Consider us the “it” seeking God’s Kingdom with all we have, looking in every nook and cranny until our search results in us finding Him.
The NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon defines “seek first” by seeking in order to find, to aim at or strive after. It also means to look for, go after, to search for.
God remains available and ready for us to find Him, to look for and worship Him in those anxiety-riddled situations. Do we run to worship, searching for God the way we easily lean and rely on worry? To seek God’s kingdom means we’ve made a conscience decision to turn toward God versus anxiety or worry.
7 Ways to Seek First God’s Kingdom Every Day
There are various ways to seek first God’s kingdom. Seven tips are listed below:
1. Prayer
1 Thessalonians 5:17 challenges us to pray continually. Many other Bible verses offer a similar message. Prayer is important.
Jesus spoke to the Father often, relaying that importance. He prayed with many people and in groups, but He also spent time alone with God. And during those solitary moments with His Father, we note an intimate communion between the two of them such as in Matthew 26, verses 39, 42, and 44. That opportunity for intimacy through prayer exists for us, too.
2. Bible Reading
It’s easy enough to rely on our pastor or other spiritual leaders to feed us God’s Word, as many of them have wonderful insight. But our Father wants to meet with us personally, and He often does that through Scripture. Why rely solely on man when something much more personal remains available?
God gave us His word so that we can keep our way pure, according to Psalm 119:9. It’s a light unto our path and lamp for our feet according to Psalm 119:105. When we’ve read and know the Bible and the promises of God, we’re strengthened to stand firm against sin. Because we’ve spent time with Him through His Word, our relationship deepens. This is a means of seeking first God’s kingdom.
3. Worship
Have you ever worshiped in your living room, outside, or among the church pews? This time of intimacy, simply recognizing God as the Almighty and honoring Him for who He is, ushers us into His presence. If at a loss for words, try reading and praying a Psalm (or several) to God. These Bible verses are full of worship. Consider a hymn or other worship song as well.
4. Repentance
Have you ever seen signs dotting the roadsides with the message Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near? John the Baptist preached that message in the book of Matthew. Some folks continue proclaiming it today. Or, if you have watched a sports game on television, you might have noticed a sign proclaiming John 3:16. These messages relate to repentance — a necessary heart attitude for salvation (eternity in heaven) and keeping with the righteousness of God.
John 3:16 , For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
All of us sin. Still, God loves us — every person on earth. He desires that all come to Him, turning from those sins — whether it’s for the initial repentance leading to salvation or a daily heart check after salvation. We’re wise to seek first God’s kingdom by leaning on and trusting instead in the grace of Jesus Christ, repenting as God prompts us.
5. Bible Verse Memorization
One way to combat the temptation to worry or grow anxious is to know God’s Word. The Bible helps us understand what is right in God’s eyes. It’s His love letter to us and is our only offensive weapon listed in our spiritual weapons in Ephesians 6.
In Psalm 119:11, the writer proclaims that he hid the Word of God in his heart (memorized it, internalized it, understood it) so that he wouldn’t sin against God. When we take time to seek and memorize Bible verses, we’re prepared at a moment’s notice to cast off temptation with the truth, strength, and righteousness of God. We know what’s best because of those verses; we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
6. Praise
People like praise. Can you imagine how much more God does?
Psalm 100:4 indicates that we enter His courts with praise. We draw into His presence this way. Psalm 22:3 tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people. Often, we are convicted or stirred to action during praise. It remains important and right in the Christian walk.
7. Thanksgiving
Psalm 100:4 also indicates we enter His gates with thanksgiving in our heart. Thanksgiving plays a role in God’s kingdom, and with wisdom, we offer it. Power ignites when we offer thanks in times of good and bad, trial or otherwise smooth situations.
What Does it Mean to Seek God above All Else?
Ever had a sweet tooth craving? Did you open cabinet doors or dresser drawers in search of something that would satisfy it? God desires we search for Him — but even more so than cravings for sweets. Seeking Him above all else indicates trust in our God when it could easily be misplaced elsewhere.
Our God is love. He is good. Everything about Him rings with goodness, faithfulness, grace, and mercy. And our Father desires that we draw close to Him, for He longs to pour this goodness out on us — for today and especially eternity. He promises to draw close to us in James 4:8, to never forsake us. And simply, He encourages you and I to seek Him above all else. Because He knows that nothing compares to Him — not cars, money, other gods, addictions, or people.
When times are tough, when they’re good, and especially when we’re tempted to worry or grow anxious, remember Matthew 6:33. Run to the Father. He’s trustworthy. Seek God above all else. His love is right. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and don’t forget the promise in the verse’s final portion: and all these things shall be added unto you. God is good.
What Is the Kingdom of God? 10 Things Christians Need to Know
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)
The kingdom of God was one of Jesus’ most talked about matters, but it’s hardly a well-grasped concept for believers today. If you asked a group of people to define it, you would probably get a variety of answers.
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” (John 18:36)
Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” (Luke 17:20-21)
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15)
The Greek term for 'kingdom' is used 162 times in the New Testament, with most of them referring to the Kingdom of God. Yet, how often do we as believers discuss God’s kingdom and keep it on the forefront of our hearts? I believe one of the reasons we don’t talk about God’s kingdom as much as we should is because we don’t fully understand this mysterious concept. "Both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament the term "kingdom" is understood as dynamic in nature and refers primarily to the rule or reign of a king. It is seldom used in a static sense to refer to a territory. As a result, in the vast majority of instances, it would be better to translate the expression "kingdom of God" as the "rule of God." (Baker's Evangelical Dictionary)
The Kingdom of God Is Not a Physical Place… So What Is It?
Many people think of the kingdom of God as heaven or as the church. However, the kingdom of God is not an actual physical place. A working definition of God’s kingdom from a biblical perspective can be seen as God’s universal reign as Creator and Christ’s exhaustive work as Redeemer. Since God is eternal, His kingdom is eternal. The Kingdom of God transcends time and space.
Below are 10 concepts about the kingdom that are important for a believer to understand:
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)
1. God Reigns over All Things.
Since God is the Creator of everything, He reigns over all things. His role as Creator God establishes His authority over the earth and all of His creation:
Psalm 24:1: “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;”
Psalm 103:19: “The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.”
Colossians 1:16-17: “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
Out of love, God created man and gave him dominion and responsibility over the earth. This was an opportunity for man to participate in God’s kingdom.
2. Sin Challenged God’s Authority over His Kingdom.
Scripture speaks of Satan’s rebellion against God, which consequentially led to the institution of the fallen angel’s establishment of a counterfeit kingdom on earth:
Revelation 12:4: “Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born.”
2 Corinthians 4:4: “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
In Genesis 2, Satan convinced the first humans to trust in themselves, rather than in God’s wisdom, leading them to break fellowship with their Sovereign Creator. Instead of operating out of respect of God’s sovereignty, man desired to trust in half-truths and personal desire. The consequence of their sin was they had to leave the garden, a symbol of perfect provision by their Sustainer.
3. God Promises a Kingdom.
Though sin now permeated mankind, God called out a people for Himself to bless, through Abraham. Through a covenant, God promised that through Abraham, He would reestablish His kingdom authority on earth:
Genesis 12:2-3: “And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."
Genesis 17:8: "I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God."
Genesis 26:4: "I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and will give your descendants all these lands; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed;”
Abraham and his descendants would have three things: a land, a nation, and a blessing. This shows God advancing His kingdom through a chosen people who would be permanently set apart for God’s purpose.
4. God Shows His Standard of Holiness within His Kingdom.
After Israel escapes from Egypt, God establishes a covenant with His people at Sinai. He reveals His name to Moses as I AM, establishing His character as the All-Sustaining One (Exodus 3:14).
When He gives the law to Moses for the people of Israel, He does so to set the nation apart from all others on earth. God’s holiness was the standard for the people’s obedience. The Israelites’ faith was to guide their actions. Forgiveness came by way of sacrifice through mediation of the priest. The conditional nature of the covenant reveals God’s standard of holiness that must be maintained in His kingdom.
Exodus 19:3-6: "Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, 'This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.'"
5. God Foreshadowed His Kingdom on Earth.
God promised David that someone from his family would always sit on the throne of Israel (2 Samuel 12-14).
The anointed king of Israel was to be a righteous king who set a standard by which the nation was to live. It is through this king that God would express His rule in Israel. Even though Israel’s kings were unfaithful and lost their throne because of their unfaithfulness, God’s maintained a futuristic messianic promise:
Isaiah 7:13-25: “Then Isaiah said, ‘Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste. The LORD will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah—he will bring the king of Assyria.’ In that day the LORD will whistle for flies from the Nile delta in Egypt and for bees from the land of Assyria. They will all come and settle in the steep ravines and in the crevices in the rocks, on all the thornbushes and at all the water holes. In that day the Lord will use a razor hired from beyond the Euphrates River—the king of Assyria—to shave your heads and private parts, and to cut off your beards also. In that day, a person will keep alive a young cow and two goats. And because of the abundance of the milk they give, there will be curds to eat. All who remain in the land will eat curds and honey. In that day, in every place where there were a thousand vines worth a thousand silver shekels, there will be only briers and thorns. Hunters will go there with bow and arrow, for the land will be covered with briers and thorns. As for all the hills once cultivated by the hoe, you will no longer go there for fear of the briers and thorns; they will become places where cattle are turned loose and where sheep run.”
"...he will do what is just and right..."
Jeremiah 33:14-26: “‘The days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. “‘In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior.’ For this is what the LORD says: ‘David will never fail to have a man to sit on the throne of Israel, nor will the Levitical priests ever fail to have a man to stand before me continually to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings and to present sacrifices.’ ” The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: “This is what the LORD says: ‘If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night, so that day and night no longer come at their appointed time, then my covenant with David my servant—and my covenant with the Levites who are priests ministering before me—can be broken and David will no longer have a descendant to reign on his throne. I will make the descendants of David my servant and the Levites who minister before me as countless as the stars in the sky and as measureless as the sand on the seashore.’” The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: “Have you not noticed that these people are saying, ‘The LORD has rejected the two kingdoms he chose’? So they despise my people and no longer regard them as a nation. This is what the LORD says: ‘If I have not made my covenant with day and night and established the laws of heaven and earth, then I will reject the descendants of Jacob and David my servant and will not choose one of his sons to rule over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. For I will restore their fortunes and have compassion on them.’”
Acts 13:22-23: “After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’ ‘From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised.”
“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29
6. The Kingdom of God was established on earth when Jesus Christ came into the world.
When the angel Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus to Mary, he confirmed Christ’s birth fulfilled God’s promise to David. The purpose of John the Baptist was to prepare the way for the ministry of Jesus. One of the ways he did this was by calling the people of Israel back to God through repentance:
Matthew 3:2: “and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’”
Then, when Jesus came to be baptized, John recognized Jesus as the Lamb of God:
John 1:29: “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
7. The Kingdom of God is to Be Received.
In Mark 10:13-16, Jesus teaches that one is to receive the kingdom of God like a small child. This teaching indicates that the kingdom is not something that we are to achieve in and of ourselves, but rather are to humbly accept. By grace we are saved:
Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Jesus uses a child to illustrate our dependency by which we are to rely on Christ for our entrance into the kingdom. Philippians 2 illustrates Christ’s exceptional obedience. He traded His every heavenly right for a crown of thorns, so we might freely receive salvation. In exchange, the Risen King was given the right to be called Lord.
8. Entrance into the Kingdom of God Requires Belief and Repentance.
Both John the Baptist and Jesus preached repentance as a prerequisite of belonging to the kingdom of God:
Mark 1:15: “‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!’”
Matthew 3:2; 4:23: “And saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’” “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.”
Repentance and belief in Christ leads a person to a spiritual birth that guarantees entrance into the kingdom (John 3:3-5). As a believer, the kingdom of God resides within us (Luke 17:21). When Jesus taught that the kingdom was within the believer, His intent was to teach the believer of the new spiritual realm in which the person now lived. The Church is a part of the kingdom of God but is not the totality of His Kingdom.
9. The Kingdom of God is Mysterious.
Jesus teaches on the mysteries of the kingdom of God through parables in the New Testament. Matthew 13 introduces a different form of the kingdom that had not been revealed in the Old Testament. Through these parables, Jesus teaches about a spiritual reign of Christ after He is absent from earth, before His second coming. In this chapter, the hearers learn that this age will encompass those who will believe as well as those who will not (13:11-23).
The second parable shows how there will be a time of judgment that separates believers from non-believers (13:24-30). The parable of the mustard seed describes the kingdom of God as a movement of believers that will start small, but then experience rapid growth. The kingdom of God (the kingdom of heaven) looks the opposite of how the world expects. Jesus teaches in the Beatitudes about the blessings the poor, merciful, hungry, and humble will receive in heaven. Those who suffer on earth will be rewarded in heaven. Even though we may not understand everything about the Kingdom, we trust the Teacher.
10. The Kingdom of God has Implications for Believers Today.
As believers of Christ, we are to worship Him as Lord. Acknowledging Christ as Lord is in effect recognizing his reign. We are to live out His teaching and live in anticipation of His return. When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, part of the directive was to pray that God’s kingdom would come into full fruition on earth:
Matthew 6:10: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
While the Kingdom of God has been established on earth, it has not yet been made complete. There is a future coming of the kingdom at the end of the age that has yet to happen. We are to pray for the coming of the fullness of God’s kingdom. As members of God’s kingdom, through Christ, we are ambassadors of God on earth (2 Corinthians 5:20). Our role as ambassadors is to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to others. This is our Great Commission.
How Should We, as Believers, Respond to the Bible’s Teaching on the Kingdom of God?
The first is that I realize that I am not the author of my drama. Rather, I am only a small player in God’s great story. This drastic shift in mindset makes me reprioritize my goals and scheduling. Prestige and popularity no longer seem important when I keep in mind God’s Sovereignty and Christ’s redemptive work on the cross.
Also, with a Kingdom mindset, I find that my trust in God is more secure than it once was. I see how God has worked throughout time to guard over the world and to redeem His people. His loving and just character allow me to realize that He will see His plans through. I can trust in His plans for me no matter what.
Finally, understanding the Kingdom of God leaves me with a sense of urgency and a challenge to tell others about Christ. God’s patience with us will not last forever and at some point, Christ will return. His second coming will not be to redeem, but to judge. Because we do not know the day or time, we are to use our time wisely to help others receive the kingdom through faith in Christ.
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