Matthew 6:32–33
“For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first [notice this—not second or third or fourth, but seek first, above everything else there is] the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”
It is interesting that God tells us that His righteousness is His Commandments. Back in Psalm 119:172, God inspired King David to write: “For all Your commandments are righteousness.” The Commandments tell us how to love God and how to love our fellow man.
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
What you should eat and drink, and what you should wear, God will give you—and will give you plenty and often—if you really serve Him. In a prosperous society, He may give you more than plenty. There will be other times when you may have to do without, just like the Apostle Paul, who said: “I know how to be abased and I know how to abound, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The Apostle Paul said that in Philippians 4:12. And you can, too. Basically, He will bless you if you serve Him—there is no question about it.
Matthew 6:34
“Therefore do not worry [or have anxious thought, have your mind on it all the time] about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
You will have enough trouble today without worrying about tomorrow—wondering what you are going to eat, what you are going to wear, what you are going to do—trying to save so much money for the future and having your mind on that. God tells you to do good, be generous, put your treasure in heaven, lay up treasure in heaven and do your part toward the Kingdom of God. Serve others and serve your God, and God will take care of you. And above all, seek ye first—above everything else—the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Then all these material things will be added to you. But above all, and beyond that, you will have a place in God’s family in the coming Kingdom of God to be set up on this earth. This is real—it is just ahead! So we must do our part and get ready.
This is a brief excerpt from Part 6 of Dr. Meredith’s 32-part commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. The full series is being made available on the Church Web site, www.livingcog.org, in online video, audio and text format.