Seek ye first the kingdom of God
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)
Lay up treasures above (Matthew 6: 19-24)
Matthew 6:19-24 teaches that believers should prioritize eternal, heavenly treasures over temporary, earthly ones, as material possessions are vulnerable to destruction and theft. Jesus emphasizes that a person’s heart follows their treasure, and it is impossible to serve both God and money (mammon), urging a singular devotion to God.
Treasures in Heaven vs. Earth (Matthew 6: 19-21):
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Earthly wealth (clothing, food, money) is corruptible by moth and rust (or decay/pests) and insecure, while heavenly treasures are permanent. Storing treasure in heaven involves using resources for God’s kingdom, such as generosity and service.
The Eye as a Lamp (Matthew 6:22-23):
22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
A “clear” or “single” eye signifies a heart fully focused on God, filling the life with light.
A “bad” or divided eye reflects a focus on materialism, leading to spiritual darkness.
Two masters (Matthew 6:24)
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Jesus declares that one cannot serve both God and money (Mammon). Money demands total allegiance, acting as a master (idol) that conflicts with devotion to God.
Conclusion:
The passage is not condemning owning possessions, but rather the act of “hoarding” or finding security in them. It calls for a, shift in perspective from hoarding wealth to prioritizing the kingdom of God. The central message is that the location of your treasure (material vs. spiritual) reveals your true allegiance.
Seek first God’s way (Matthew 6:25-34)
Matthew 6:25-34 is a core part of the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus commands his followers not to worry about basic needs—food, drink, and clothing—but instead to trust in God’s providence. He instructs them to prioritize seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness first, assuring that all necessities will be provided. GotQuestions.org +3
Don’t worry about basic needs: (Matthew 6:25)
25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
“Take no thought” (vs. 25, 31, 34): In modern English, this can be misleading. In the 1611 KJV context, it does not mean “don’t plan,” but rather “do not be anxious” or “distracted by care”. The Greek word used, merimnao, literally means to be “drawn in different directions”. He will surely provide the food and clothing (the lesser gifts) to sustain it.
The fowls of the air (Matthew 6:26-27)
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
The Futility of Worry (vs. 27): Jesus asks, “Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?” This highlights that worry is unproductive; it cannot even perform a small physical change like increasing one’s height.
The Fowls of the Air: They do not store food in barns, yet God feeds them. You are “much better than they”.
The lilies of the field (Matthew 6:28-29)
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
The Lilies of the Field: They do not “toil nor spin,” yet their natural beauty surpasses the “glory” of King Solomon’s finest robes.
Grass of the field (Matthew 6:30)
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
God knows our needs (Matthew 6:31-32)
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Seek ye first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33-34)
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
The Core Command (vs. 33): “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” This is the “perfect prescription” for worry: prioritize God’s reign and His ways above all else, and your material needs will be provided as a byproduct.
Sufficient Unto the Day (vs. 34): “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” This means each day has enough of its own troubles; adding tomorrow’s potential problems only creates an impossible burden for today.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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