First Things First

There are plenty of things in life that beg for our attention. Our days are filled with relationships and responsibilities, all of which take time.

In Jesus’ famous sermon in Matthew 6, He spends some time talking about the various things we give our attention to. He explains that instead of spending all of our time and energy worrying about our basic need and desires in life, we should first seek His kingdom and His righteousness. If we do that, everything else will fall into place.

So, what does it mean to seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness? 

God’s kingdom is about God’s rule and reign over all of creation. His kingdom was unleashed during Jesus’ ministry on earth, and is now growing and expanding throughout the global Church. The work of the kingdom is to continue to tell others about the hope of Jesus, and to teach everything that Jesus has commanded.

To seek God’s righteousness is to desire to live the way God intended. It's to live according to God’s commands, which requires that we make decisions that align with God’s Word.

Jesus says that if we do these two things—seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness—then He will provide us with everything we need. When we don’t prioritize God’s desires first, then we'll end up worrying about things that are temporary; the things that won't last.

Living a life according to God’s Word should be our greatest concern—because God’s Kingdom will last forever.

Think about how you spend your time. Do you constantly worry about things that are outside of your control? Consider how you can live for God’s kingdom rather than the things of earth. In what ways can you reprioritize your life in order to seek righteousness? Rather than worrying about things you can’t control, pray for God to be present and to meet your everyday needs.