“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33 KJV
Many of us are wondering when our blessing will come, when that breakthrough will come, when that healing will come, when the job will come, when that wife will come or even when that peace of mind will come. Although there is not exact formula to getting any of these things, the Word admonishes us to seek the kingdom of God first, and all other things will be added.
God is ultimately saying, I got you. Focus on me, and I will do the rest. Disclaimer: this is not to say that you can go and tell God, “Father, I have been working in the house of God, so you have to give me this Range Rover I want”. It definitely doesn’t work quite like that.
Let’s study this verse well and see exactly what the Word says: SEEK THE KINGDOM FIRST. After that, all things will be added. It is cause and effect. As we seek the kingdom of God first, the results are that all other things will be added to us. When we look at that section of Matthew 6, we see that Jesus was talking to the disciples concerning God being a provider for them. In the preceding verses, Jesus illustrates that if he can provide the needs for those who do not sow, yet they reap, how much more us?
What does it mean to seek the kingdom of God?
As we seek God, UNEXPECTEDLY he blesses us and adds things to us. We should not be seeking God because of what we can get from him, but we should seek him because we love him. We should be seeking him because we TRUST in him to be our everything. The New International Version says, seek first the kingdom of God AND his righteousness. Seek him, his character and his being. It is not enough to say that you are a worship leader at church. It is not enough to say you help out with a ministry. It is not enough to say that you are in church every day. Seek him and his righteousness wholeheartedly, and all other things will be added.
But the question remains: Are you really seeking God? Are you seeking him with ulterior motives? Is it with just lip service? Or are you seeking God with your entire being, with all that is in you? Seeking him should include spending time with him, desiring for him to speak and communicate with you through prayer and meditating on his Word. Of course, serving him is important. But most importantly, living out what God has purposed and willed for your life and staying on that path righteously.
What does it mean that all other things will be added?
Sometimes, we limit the “added” things to just material things. I believe this is why we are not seeing the manifestation of many things in our lives. The added things come in faith, that God will provide for us. However, if you do not have faith that God will do it for you, then how can it be added? Let’s not limit our God. We know that God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly , far above all we could ask for (Eph 3:20-21). We also know that, there is nothing too hard for the Lord and nothing impossible for him (Luke 1:37).
We should not limit God to material things. In someone’s case, without the person even expecting it, God added wealth. Without the person knowing it, and seeking God only and truly, God added health to their life. To some, marriage, children, broken bondages and more. For others, God added wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Some of the things that were added were physical, some emotional, some spiritual. Jesus did not limit the added things to material wealth. As we seek him, we should know that God is concerned about our wellbeing and he knows what is good for us in each season. He knows our needs, he knows our heart’s desire.
Why aren’t things being added?
That’s a deep one. It’s a deep question. Some things are not added because:
- It is out of the will of God. (Matthew 26:39)
- It is not the appointed time. (Gen 17:16)
- Living a life of sin. (Romans 6:23)
Let’s desire to seek God first. Not for the things he can do for us, but for who he is to us and what he means to us. If we trust him to be provider, as we are seeking him, he will take care of our needs like a good father does. Let’s pray:
God, we thank you for being a great Father, for providing our needs, for loving us, for caring for us that you sent your only son to die for us. Father God, you know our needs, wants and our heart’s desires. Some are a little, some are a lot. But God help us to focus our eyes on you and seek you above all things. Help us to put our trust in you. Help us to desire you first and trust that even in our lowest moments, as we seek you, you will provide. Thank you for all that you are. In Jesus name, Amen.
Sincerely Yours, Lydia.