A Principle to Live By

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." This text is part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus taught His disciples. So we must note that, while the crowds may have gathered during the course of the teaching, it was particularly meant for His disciples and is therefore of particular interest to us. [Matt 5:1-2]  This is a principle to live by—a fundamental truth that serves as a foundation for faith and practice. You can use this text as a New Year’s resolution. ||||| 
THE CONTEXT If you take verses in the Bible out of context, you will be able to make the Bible say anything. The context in which this statement is made is important, and we see the context in Matt 6:25-34. Jesus is exhorting the disciples to take no thought for tomorrow and not to be anxious or worried. We must know who it is who makes this statement and why He makes it. These are the words of the Good Shepherd who loves and cares for the flock, and not those of an overbearing and unreasonable dictator. These are the words of the One who gave Himself up for the flock with an everlasting love. He knows how prone we are to worry and become anxious. Sometimes that worry even affects us physically. Job said: I was born to trouble as the sparks fly upwards. He also said: Man that is born of woman is of a few days and full of trouble. The question is: How will I handle 2021 with my fears and my cares? Jesus tells us that we do not need to worry because we have a heavenly Father who cares for the birds of the air and flowers of the field, and we are more valuable to Him than the birds and flowers. So we ought not to worry. ||||| 
THE COMMAND  This is the loving caring command  of a loving and caring Saviour. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Are you not of more value than the birds that the heavenly Father feeds. Are you not of more value than the lilies of the field that God clothes? You can almost imagine the expression of love on the face of the Lord as He reasons in this way with the disciples. Your heavenly Father knows exactly what you need in 2021. You don’t know what you need, even if you think you know what you need. This command has been given for our good. In these10 words—Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness—we have two lessons. He is telling us what to do and when to do it. 
WHAT TO DO: God does not just tell us not to worry. That would be frustrating. He tells us instead to replace our worries with concern and even delight for the kingdom of God and His righteousness.  Someone has said: A habit and passion can only be given up for a greater habit or passion. The text demands a commitment to find and to do the will of God. Indeed, as the catechism says, man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. 
WHEN TO DO IT: Seek FIRST.  What does FIRST mean? It means: First in time and space. First in rank. Before anything else. This is where we fail so often. [Luke 9:59-62] .The kingdom of God and His righteousness should be the very first thing in the life of the believer. When we fill up our appointment diaries this year, fill in everything to do with God’s kingdom. Begin with every Lord’s day. Then fill in all the prayer meetings and the Bible studies, fill in the evangelistic meetings, the family prayers, and quiet times. Then carefully add the other things, and even in that we must do all to the glory of God. ||||| 
THE CONCLUSION  The conclusion of the matter is that all these things will be added unto you — all the things that are necessary will be added. This is the promise of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. He will see to it that everything else that you need in life will be given to you. Why is this exhortation so neglected?

Because of the LACK OF DISCIPLINE. We as Christians are called to live a disciplined life. Christians are often disciplined when it comes to work but lackadaisical when it comes to the things of God.
Because of the LACK OF FAITH. They tell Him, it cannot be done — I have a job, I have a family to feed and a mortgage to pay. To dismiss this exhortation is simply to say: I love You, but I do not believe You. I know better than You that my family and my finances will suffer. Like the man who told Jesus, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father,” they tell the Lord: If you give me a few years, then I will seek your Kingdom and Your righteousness first. Those who are older know that it does not work that way. It is NOW that Jesus calls us to seek the kingdom. About those other things, your heavenly Father knows that you need them, and He will provide them. You are more valuable than the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. Surely He will care and provide for you.

There is no greater principle or joy or contentment in all the world than this.