Life often feels like a balancing act. Between work deadlines, family responsibilities, financial pressures, and personal ambitions, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. Yet, in the middle of this chaos, Jesus offers us a profound and life-changing invitation: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.” These words from Matthew 6:33 are not just a command—they are a promise that when we prioritize God, everything else will fall into place.
Matthew 6:33 King James Version
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Understanding the Heart of Matthew 6:33
Matthew 6:33 is part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus addresses common human anxieties—what we’ll eat, drink, or wear (Matthew 6:25–32). He uses simple yet profound examples from nature to remind us of God’s provision. Birds don’t plant crops or store food in barns, yet God feeds them. Lilies don’t toil or spin fabric, yet they are clothed more beautifully than Solomon in all his splendour. If God cares so deeply for birds and flowers, how much more will He care for us?
This verse isn’t about ignoring our earthly needs but about shifting our focus. Jesus calls us to trust God’s provision by prioritizing His kingdom and righteousness above all else. It’s not a promise of material abundance but an assurance that God will meet our needs when we align our lives with His purposes.
What Does It Mean to Seek First God’s Kingdom?
To seek first means to make something your highest priority. Seeking God’s kingdom involves:
- Pursuing Relationship Over Religion: This isn’t about checking off spiritual tasks like attending church or reading the Bible out of obligation. It’s about cultivating an intimate relationship with God through prayer, worship, and daily surrender.
- Living According to His Will: Seeking His righteousness means aligning your actions with His values—justice, mercy, humility, and love. It’s about allowing His Word to shape your decisions and behaviour.
- Trusting in His Sovereignty: To seek the kingdom is to trust that God is in control and that His plans are better than ours. It requires faith that He will provide what we need at the right time.
Reordering Our Priorities
In today’s world, distractions abound. Social media pulls us in one direction while career ambitions tug at another. Even good things—like family or ministry—can become idols when they take precedence over God. Matthew 6:33 challenges us to evaluate our priorities. Are we chasing after temporary things like wealth, status, or approval? Or are we investing in eternal treasures by seeking God’s kingdom?
Jesus’ words remind us that life is not about accumulating possessions or achievements but about living with purpose and faith. When we put God first, everything else finds its rightful place—not because life becomes perfect but because our perspective shifts.
Practical Ways to Seek First God’s Kingdom
- Start Each Day with God: Begin your morning with prayer and Scripture reading. Invite God into your day before anything else demands your attention.
- Surrender Your Worries: When anxiety creeps in about finances or the future, remind yourself of Jesus’ promise in Matthew 6:33. Trust that God knows your needs better than you do.
- Live Out Kingdom Values: Show kindness to a stranger, forgive someone who hurt you, or advocate for justice in your community. These small acts reflect God’s righteousness.
- Serve Others: Volunteering your time or resources is a tangible way to prioritize God’s kingdom by putting others’ needs above your own.
- Stay Connected to Community: Surround yourself with believers who encourage you to grow spiritually and hold you accountable in your faith journey.
The Promise of Provision
One of the most comforting aspects of Matthew 6:33 is its promise: “All these things will be given to you as well.” This doesn’t mean life will always be easy or that we’ll get everything we want. Instead, it assures us that God will provide what we truly need—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Think about the Israelites wandering in the desert (Exodus 16). Every morning, God provided manna for their daily sustenance—not too much, not too little—just enough for each day. In the same way, when we seek Him first, He provides exactly what we need for today.
Personal Reflection: A Story of Trust
There was a time in my own life when I struggled with priorities. I was consumed by work deadlines and financial worries, constantly trying to control every detail of my life. One day, overwhelmed by stress, I stumbled upon Matthew 6:33 during my Bible reading. It felt like Jesus was speaking directly to me: “Stop striving; start seeking.”
I decided to take a step of faith by surrendering my worries to Him. Instead of obsessing over my plans, I began each day with prayer and asked God to guide my steps. Slowly but surely, I noticed a change—not necessarily in my circumstances but in my heart. The peace I experienced was unlike anything I could manufacture on my own.
Looking back now, I see how faithful God has been in providing for me—not always in the ways I expected but always in ways I needed.
A Call to Action
As you reflect on Matthew 6:33 today, ask yourself: What is my priority? Are you seeking fulfilment in fleeting things like success or possessions? Or are you anchoring your life in the eternal truth of God’s kingdom?
Jesus invites you into a deeper relationship with Him—a life where His kingdom comes first and His peace reigns over all your worries. Let today be the day you choose to seek Him wholeheartedly.
Take small steps toward prioritizing Him—whether it’s setting aside time for prayer each morning or choosing gratitude over worry when challenges arise. Remember that seeking first His kingdom is not about perfection but about progress—a daily commitment to trust Him more fully.
Read More About This Devotional
Words of Wisdom: Priorities: Living a Life Aligned with God’s Purpose
Quote of the Day: “Put the Kingdom of God first and live abundantly”
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Thank You for reminding us through Matthew 6:33 that You care deeply for our needs and invite us into a life free from worry. Help us to seek Your kingdom above all else—to trust Your plans over our own desires and align our hearts with Your righteousness.
When distractions pull us away from You or fear clouds our faith, draw us back gently into Your presence. Teach us to live with open hands and surrendered hearts so that we may experience the fullness of Your provision and peace.
In Your holy name,
Amen.
Scripture Reading for the Day
Hebrews 3 King James Version
1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.
10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
