What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God?

Answer

Jesus said to seek first the kingdom of God in His Sermon on the Mount “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”, (Matthew 6:33). The verse’s meaning is as direct as it sounds. We are to prioritize seeking the things of God over the things of the world. Primarily, it means we are to seek the salvation that is inherent in the kingdom of God because it holds greater value than all the world’s riches. Does this mean that we should neglect the reasonable and daily duties that help sustain our lives? Certainly not. But for the Christian, there should be a different attitude toward them. If we are taking care of God’s business as a priority—seeking His salvation, living in obedience to Him, and sharing the good news of the kingdom with others—then He will take care of our business as He promised—and if that’s the arrangement, where is worrying?

But how do we know if we’re truly seeking God’s kingdom first? There are questions we can ask ourselves. “Where do I primarily spend my energies? Is all my time and money spent on goods and activities that will certainly perish, or in the service of God—the results of which live on for eternity?” Believers who have learned to truly put God first may then rest in this holy dynamic: “…and all these things will be given to you as well.”

God has promised to provide for His own, supplying every need “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”, (Philippians 4:19), but HThe concept of what we need is often different from what we desire, and His timing will only occasionally align with our expectations. For instance, we might perceive our need as wealth or progress, but perhaps God understands that what we truly require is a period of scarcity, setback, or seclusion. In such instances, we are in esteemed company. God cherished both Job and Elijah, yet He permitted Satan to severely test Job (all under His vigilant gaze), and He allowed the wicked Jezebel to crush the spirit of His own prophet Elijah (Job 1–2; 1 Kings 18–19). In both scenarios, God followed these tribulations with renewal and support.

These “adverse” aspects of the kingdom contradict a heresy that is gaining traction globally, the so-called “prosperity” gospel. An increasing number of deceitful preachers are amassing followers under the message “God wants you to be wealthy!” However, this ideology does not align with the teachings of the Bible—and it certainly does not align with the counsel of Matthew 6:33, which is not a blueprint for amassing riches. It is an illustration of how God operates. Jesus instructed that our focus should be redirected away from this world—its status and its deceitful attractions—and directed towards the matters of God’s kingdom.