Matthew 6

Seek Ye First

Here in Matthew 6, Jesus deals with 5 different topics regarding things in the world.

1. He identifies with the poor and encourages to give to the those in need, but to give in a humble manner.

2. Jesus then teaches them how to pray, not a religious hypocrite, but as a humble man going before the throne of God to make intercession.

3. He then, again, shows them how to live a life of faith in the right way by fasting, not so others may see what is going on, but that you can spend that time alone with God.

4. Jesus again deals with the material possessions in the world by saying in Matthew 6:19-20, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

Do not seek the material possession, and do not store up treasure here on earth, but rather, strive for the treasure that you will receive in Heaven.

5. Do not be anxious about what you will do here and what you will do there. Do not stress out about what clothes you will buy, what boyfriend or girlfriend you will have, what video game I should play, what make-up I should wear, those such things do not matter compared to the eternal address you will be living in.

With having said all of that, to sum up everything that Jesus had mentioned up unto this point and looking at the 5 different areas that Jesus touched on in Matthew 6, I think that verse 33 of Matthew 6 is the key element that needs to be stressed more than ever in this day and age. We, as a culture, as a people in the 21st Century, are almost forced to live a life that seeks the tangible possessions on earth, rather than the possession in Heaven.

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

What message is Jesus trying to make clear here in Matthew 6? There are a few verses before verse 33 that will help make it more clear.

Jesus, in verses 25-32 talks about how we should not be anxious about our life, what we will eat or what will we drink or even what we will wear. Why does none of this matter when the world tells us that this is all that matters? Jesus asks the question, “Which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” These are things that we are constantly putting at the front of our minds that consumes everything about us.

The young lady says, “I don’t know what to wear,” even when she has a closet full of new clothes waiting to be worn.

The young man will say, “I don’t know which video game to beat next,” or, “I don’t know what girl to go out with next!”

We become consumed with the fashion of today, looking like this celebrity or playing a solo to the newest John Mayer song, wearing the same shoes as Kobe Bryant, getting my venti latte with an add shot of espresso, going to this concert, going here, going there, doing this, doing that…. I’m stressed just thinking about all of this!

But our mindset ought to be on the things above, not on the things below. Pastor Greg Laurie wrote on his twitter page a few days ago, “Our Minds must be in Heaven, but our FEET must be on Earth.” We must not be concerned with the things around us, but rather, the things above us.

So, instead of seeking the “next best thing” seek the Best Thing, in all of the world, the Kingdom of God and His righteousness! When you seek those things, you are promised to find it. And when do you find the kingdom of God as top priority in your life, and when you seek the righteousness of God, all else will seem as vanity, as King Solomon put it. And the things in which you were seeking will be added unto, according to your need.

What happens when I do become anxious about these things Brad? Memorize Philippians 4:6-7!

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”