Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:31-33)
In this passage from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us not to worry about things that aren't important, that we should seek God's Kingdom and His righteousness first and foremost, that God will take care of the rest. We've all heard this passage a million times, but do we really live it?
As Jesus stated "for the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things".. By saying that, He contrasted the way the Gentiles of the day lived in comparison with the way the people of God were instructed to live. In other words Jesus is saying, it's a worldly thing to eagerly seek "things" more than we seek God. How does that truth relate to present day? Today it's much worse. People of the world still eagerly seek things more than they seek God, but today it's much more than concerns about food and clothing. They worry about the car they drive, the house they live in and even whether they have the latest and greatest cell phone. Peoples minds today are nearly consumed with things that don't matter. Are the God's people any different? Many times they're not. Personally, I think it's the enemies way of distracting God's children, to keep them so occupied that they don't spend any quality time with God.
Wouldn't it be radical if the church took these verses to heart and lived them out? While I can't speak for the church, I can speak for myself. I intend to do everything possible to live these truths, to earnestly seek God's Kingdom first, and also His righteousness. Not my own righteousness, but His alone.
Seek ye first the kingdom of men,
treasures of earth and pleasures of sin.
But still in the end, you'll never find
true happiness in your heart and mind.
Seek ye first the kingdom of God,
you'll find worth and God will applaud.
For He rewards the soul who seeks Him-
they're the wisest of women and men.
