Priorities (Part One)

Good morning

Have you ever given Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:33 careful thought? “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

It became very real to me when I ended up in a position where I had to really rely on the LORD for His care. I was put before the choice to panic and take desperate measures, or to obey the Word of God. This passage is written in the context of the LORD’s provision for our daily needs. Many of us start begging the LORD, sometimes even throwing a tantrum, when our circumstances change and it looks like we may end up losing some of our possessions.

Because we are so programmed to think in terms of earning our income or living, we sometimes think we have to cut a deal with the LORD. We feel we have to give, so the LORD can give back to us or that we have to work for Him so He could ‘pay’ us for our services by means of His blessing.

If we look at Matthew 6:33 though, it is written in the context of our service to the Lord. The Sermon on the Mount is essentially the Christian’s handbook of conduct within the Kingdom of God - the staff manual for the soldiers in the LORD’s army. This particular section tells us not to be focused on our needs, but on the LORD’s needs, for He will focus on our needs. This passage is written as a condition: First do this and then I will care for you. It is not a business deal stating that He will give us more if we seek the Kingdom of GOD and his righteousness more.

It is a priority issue just like giving. When we start our day the LORD wants our first hours. The scripture doesn’t say only seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, although it would be better if that was all we would do. Some of us do have the privilege of only doing that, but others have to do full-time secular work. Therefore the LORD expects of us to start everything by attending to these instructions – a new day, a new opportunity, a new friendship, a new job and so on.

Let us have a closer look at the details of these instructions. You may tell me that you do have a quiet time each morning, but what does your quiet time entail? Why do you read your Bible? Is it maybe that you need encouragement or need to have your faith increased, so you can cope better during your hectic day ahead. In your prayers you may require of the LORD to protect you and bless you and provide for you. Do we notice one word being used quite a lot in the last couple of sentences – the word ‘you’... I, me and myself.

However, Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 6:33 has two components; being concerned about the Kingdom of God and us being right with Him – righteousness. Have you noticed that it has nothing to do with us? It is all about the LORD. So when we get up in the morning our first focus should be on what we can do to make God’s Kingdom increase and what would make us right with Him – working out our own salvation as Philippians 2:12-13 puts it. First thing every day I either write this message or do some of the other responsibilities the Lord gave me to do.

In our Bible reading we should focus on learning more about the Lord and examining ourselves, rather than seeking blessings for ourselves, and in prayer we should ask on behalf of others and of the LORD’s work rather than for our own needs. As Jesus put it in verse 32; “your heavenly Father knows that you need them”.

If all Christians start doing, or at least planning, as a first priority what the LORD has given us to do, we will be surprised at how He cares. I am involved in various ventures, but make it a point to do my ventures for the Kingdom first and it is amazing how the LORD cares for us. Sometimes the Christian activities go well into the time allocated for my own activities, but I don’t care. The LORD knows what He is doing and He will keep His promises.

Lord, thank you for your promises that are true.

Have a look at this material on the Sermon on the Mount: Paperback  or

E-book .

Also have a look at the Work you may become part of HERE. You may also want to look at the Website.

Thank you Lord that your Word went out from your mouth, via your servant’s pen, and it will not return to you empty, but will accomplish what you desire and achieve the purpose for which you sent it.

Please pass this on if you think others may benefit by it.