Anchor My Faith

Author: Stephen Weller
1,410 words, 7 minutes read time

Previous Lesson
Next Lesson

Seek the Kingdom of God

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33 ESV)

This verse is found in a section in which Jesus is teaching about not being anxious. In verses 25 – 30 Jesus gives some reasons why we shouldn’t be anxious and then based on these reasons, he says in verse 31, “Therefore do not be anxious” and points that our Father knows our needs and will provide them. Looking ahead to verse 34, Jesus again says, “Therefore do not be anxious” and warns us to not be concerned about tomorrow but today only. Bookmarked between these two “Therefore” statements is the verse we are considering today.

 With a “therefore statement” on both sides of our verse telling us to not be anxious, suggest that our verse contains what is needed to overcome anxiety. The verse begins by assuming you are unsaved because it says, “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” Previously in Matthew 5:6 and 20 (ESV), Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” and “I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” How do we obtain the needed righteousness?

There is only one way to get to the kingdom of heaven where God is and that is through the person of Jesus Christ, for he said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 ESV). The Son of God came to earth and took on a body of flesh through a virgin birth, lived a perfect life according to the law, and was condemned to die on the cross. There he died in our place taking upon himself our sin and in exchange clothed those who believe with his righteousness, allowing us to come before God to receive the gift of salvation.

As a result of the work that was finished on the cross by Jesus, anyone “who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21 ESV) and now has the ability to not be anxious by drawing upon the promise found in Philippians 4:6 – 7 ESV (for a lesson on these verses use this link): ⁶ “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Have you gained a working experience with this promise? If not, you are missing out on God’s provision for overcoming anxiety.

I find this promise to be of most importance because of the last part of our verse which says, “and all these things will be added to you.” The “all things” would seem to be those things we might be anxious about that God will provide for; things in the world. However, under severe persecution all these things may be stripped from you, leaving you with little more than your salvation which provides you access to the promise of Philippians 4. We may lose the things of the world, but the things of God are secure and with them we can have peace and not be anxious.

The Following Addendum Is Provided by ChatGPT

Summary Theme

Prioritizing God’s Kingdom Above Everything Else

Jesus teaches that the highest priority of every believer should be the pursuit of God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness. Rather than being consumed by worry over material needs, believers are called to trust God’s faithful provision while focusing their hearts, minds, and lives on His purposes. When God occupies first place in a person’s life, everything else finds its proper place under His care and direction.

Summary Paragraph

Matthew 6:33 stands at the heart of Jesus’ teaching on worry, trust, and discipleship. After instructing His followers not to be anxious about food, clothing, or the necessities of life, Jesus redirects their attention to what truly matters. Instead of allowing earthly concerns to dominate their thoughts, believers are called to seek God’s kingdom, His rule, His will, and His purposes, and to pursue His righteousness through faithful obedience. This verse is not a promise of wealth or luxury but an assurance that God knows the needs of His children and faithfully provides for them. As believers place God first, they learn to trust Him with the details of life and experience the peace that comes from living under His loving care.

Discussion Questions with Extended Answers:

1. What does it mean to “seek first the kingdom of God”?

Answer:

To seek the kingdom of God means to make God’s rule and authority the highest priority in every area of life. It involves desiring that God’s will be accomplished in our hearts, families, churches, and communities. Seeking God’s kingdom includes studying His Word, praying, worshiping, serving others, sharing the gospel, and making decisions that honor Him. The word “first” emphasizes priority rather than chronology. Jesus is teaching that God’s kingdom should take precedence over personal ambitions, possessions, achievements, and even legitimate concerns about daily needs. When believers seek God’s kingdom first, they align their lives with God’s purposes and find meaning that extends beyond temporary earthly pursuits.

2. What does Jesus mean by seeking God’s righteousness?

Answer:

Seeking God’s righteousness involves both receiving the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ and pursuing a life that reflects God’s holy character. Believers are declared righteous before God through faith, but they are also called to grow in practical righteousness by obeying God’s commands and following Christ’s example. This means striving to live with integrity, honesty, humility, mercy, purity, and love. Seeking righteousness is not an attempt to earn salvation but a response to the salvation God has already provided. A person who seeks God’s righteousness desires to become more like Christ and to live in a manner that pleases God in every aspect of life.

3. What are the “things” that will be added to us?

Answer:

The “things” Jesus refers to are the basic necessities of life mentioned throughout the surrounding passage, food, drink, clothing, and daily provisions. Jesus points to the birds of the air and the lilies of the field as examples of God’s faithful care for His creation. His promise is that God knows what His children need and will provide according to His wisdom and purposes. This does not mean believers will receive everything they desire or be free from hardship, but it does mean that God is attentive to their needs and can be trusted to sustain them. The promise encourages believers to replace anxiety with faith, knowing that their heavenly Father is both aware of and concerned about their well-being.

4. How does this verse help believers deal with worry and anxiety?

Answer:

Matthew 6:33 shifts the focus from circumstances to God. Worry often arises when people become preoccupied with problems they cannot control or fears about the future. Jesus teaches that the remedy for anxiety is not greater control but greater trust. By seeking God’s kingdom first, believers redirect their attention from earthly uncertainties to the certainty of God’s character and promises. Trusting God’s provision does not eliminate responsibility, but it removes the burden of carrying life’s concerns alone. As believers place their confidence in God’s wisdom and care, they discover peace that enables them to face challenges without being overwhelmed by fear.

5. How can Christians practically apply Matthew 6:33 in daily life?

Answer:

Christians apply Matthew 6:33 by intentionally placing God at the center of their daily decisions and priorities. This includes spending time in prayer and Scripture, seeking God’s guidance before making important choices, participating in fellowship with other believers, serving others, and evaluating goals through the lens of God’s will. It also means trusting God when circumstances are uncertain and resisting the temptation to allow money, career, possessions, or personal ambitions to become the controlling focus of life. Every day presents opportunities to choose whether God or something else will occupy first place in our hearts. As believers consistently seek His kingdom and righteousness, they grow in faith, experience God’s provision, and learn the joy of living for eternal purposes rather than temporary concerns.