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

In the context of the passage from which this verse originates, Jesus Christ is teaching his disciples to not be anxious about the things of this world. He gives the general encouragement to not be anxious about life, and then he specifically discourages anxiety about food, drink and clothing. He tells them to look at the birds of the air for proof that just as God the Father takes care of them, he'll do the same for the disciples. Then he tells them to look at the lilies of the field for proof that if he arrays flowers as he does, he'll do the same for the disciples. He concludes with our verse: seek first the kingdom of God. 

So what's the point of this verse? Don't worry about your future. Don't be anxious about your job, finances, family, friends, health, politics or anything else in all of creation. God will take care of your needs just as he takes care of the birds and lilies he created and sustains by his almighty power. Go outside for a walk and take a look at his creation. The birds aren't anxious. The lilies are arrayed in beauty. As Jesus said, "Are you not of more value than they?" (Matt. 6:26). This is a rhetorical question. The answer is obvious. You are of significantly more value than birds and lilies. For all who trust in Christ by faith have been adopted as God's children and will be provided for by a Father who knows and does what's best. Will you seek first his kingdom? Will you pursue his mission and vision, his values and priorities for your life and the world he created? As you do, the hymn writer says, "the things of this world will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.

For Jesus,
Pastor Mark