Matthew 6:33

Saturday, 25 January 2025

 

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33

 

“And you, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and these all – it will be added to you” (CG).

 

In the previous verse, Jesus noted that the heavenly Father knows all the things we need. Therefore, He next says, “And you, seek first the kingdom of God.”

 

It should be noted that some manuscripts do not include the words tou theou (the God, indicating “of God”). Whether they are original or not, they are to be understood because of the surrounding context of what Jesus is explaining.

 

To understand what “kingdom” Jesus is speaking of, refer to the comments on Matthew 6:10 where Jesus said, “Your kingdom come.” The term kingdom is used to apply to different things within the dispensations God has set forth in the plan of redemption. What He is speaking of is sufficiently explained in that commentary. Along with seeking the kingdom of God, Jesus next says, “and His righteousness.”

 

This would correspond to the next words of Jesus in Matthew 6:10, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Seeking God’s righteousness is to seek that His will is done at all times in our lives before Him.

 

The disciples were instructed on prayer. Jesus then explained the things His prayer detailed. For example, saying, “And do not lead us into temptation,” is explained through Jesus’ examples concerning treasures on earth. If our treasures are in heaven, we will not be led into temptation over earthly things.

 

As such, what Jesus is now saying is a summary of everything He has explained since the giving of the Lord’s prayer. Praying for the will of God to be done and for the coming of His kingdom was noted in Matthew 6:10. It was then plainly expressed in the closing words “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.”

 

The intervening words since then have not been a lot of new and disconnected thoughts. Rather, they have been helping us understand what it means when the Lord’s Prayer is spoken. Therefore, in seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, Jesus next says, “and these all – it will be added to you.”

 

Notice how Jesus’ words speak of the plural, these all, and then are summed up in the singular, it. It is an indication that the plural/singular words of the previous verse are probably the correct textual rendering. Jesus is taking plural concepts and then referring to them as a single unit.

 

Jesus assures His disciples that the things they need will not be kept out of reach when people put God first. Rather, the things they need will find their proper place in their lives.

 

Life application: Notice how the words of Jesus here actually dispel the notion that having wealth is somehow inappropriate. How often has it been seen that people focus too heavily on certain words while ignoring the greater context.

 

By telling His disciples to not worry about their lives in regard to food, drink, and clothing, people assume that Jesus is saying that we should not possess such things. This seems bolstered by His words that say, “For after all these, the Gentiles seek.” If the Gentiles seeking them is stated in a negative way, then it must be that Jesus is saying, “Get rid of all your stuff!”

 

With that, they quit their jobs and join a monastery, or they promise themselves to give away everything they have earned, dying without a penny left in the bank, as if they are only responsible with each week’s paycheck by doing this.

 

Such an attitude is dispelled throughout the Bible where godly people are seen to have great wealth, such as Job and David. Good men are also noted as saving even for their grandchildren (Proverbs 13:33). But the attitude is also dispelled by Jesus’s word of this verse.

 

Jesus doesn’t tell them to not have these things. Rather, He is speaking of priorities. Put God first, and God will still give them these things. A person will not be without them, but the possessions will be in the right place in one’s life.

 

Be sure to take the entire context of what is being said into consideration. Who is speaking, when and where is the person speaking, who is being spoken to, etc. From there, consider the rest of the words as they are presented without over-fixating on a single thought that will then result in a faulty conclusion about the overall presentation. This is the responsible way of looking at all things in Scripture.

 

Lord God, help us to always put You first in our lives. It is easy to get misdirected with the things of life that crop up and distract us. We know that it is right to seek You, Your kingdom, and Your righteousness first. May we do so, to Your glory. Amen.