“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” — Matthew 6:33
The Command to Seek First
The words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33 are not a suggestion but a divine directive. In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ reveals the proper order of life for all who would follow Him. Humanity, by nature, is anxious about survival—food, clothing, and security. Yet Christ redirects the heart from earthly pursuits to eternal priorities. He commands, “Seek first the kingdom of God.”
To “seek” means to actively pursue, to set the heart and mind upon something as a singular goal. The phrase “seek first” establishes divine order—God’s rule must have precedence over every earthly care or ambition. When the believer makes the kingdom his chief pursuit, all other things fall into place under divine provision.
The Lord did not say, “Seek only the kingdom,” but “seek first.” God understands we have daily needs, yet He requires that all pursuits be subordinate to His will and purpose. This command reveals both priority and promise: the kingdom first, then the provision follows.
Understanding the Kingdom of God
The “kingdom of God” is not merely a geographical realm; it is the rule and reign of God in the hearts of men. It is the divine order where God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven. When Jesus came, He declared, “The kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15). Through Christ, the kingdom was made accessible to all who believe, transforming the inner man and bringing him under the authority of the King.
In the present age, the kingdom operates spiritually. Every true believer who submits to the lordship of Jesus Christ enters this kingdom through faith and new birth (John 3:3–5). The Holy Spirit then governs that believer’s life, producing righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14:17).
Yet there is also a future fulfillment of this kingdom. When Christ returns, He will establish His visible rule on the earth during the millennial reign (Revelation 20:4–6). The faithful who have sought first His kingdom now will reign with Him then.
Therefore, to seek the kingdom is to live now under the King’s authority in preparation for the eternal manifestation of His dominion.
Seeking His Righteousness
Christ added, “and His righteousness.” The kingdom cannot be separated from righteousness, for the rule of God is founded upon holiness and truth. To seek His righteousness is to desire conformity to His nature. It is not self-righteousness that earns favor, but the imputed righteousness of Christ received by faith (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Once received, righteousness must also be pursued in practice. The believer must hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 5:6), allowing the Spirit to shape his character into Christ’s likeness. Seeking His righteousness means living in obedience to the Word, walking in integrity, and reflecting the holiness of God before men.
This pursuit is continual—it governs our decisions, our desires, and our conduct. The one who seeks first the kingdom and righteousness of God will naturally reject anything that threatens that pursuit, whether sin, distraction, or compromise with the world.
The Promise of Provision
Christ concludes with a remarkable assurance: “and all these things shall be added unto you.” The “things” refer to the basic needs of life—food, drink, and clothing—that He had just addressed in the previous verses. The promise is not that believers will become wealthy, but that God will supply every need according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).
When the heart is rightly ordered—God first, the world second—divine provision follows naturally. Anxiety disappears because trust replaces fear. The believer understands that the Father who rules the heavens is also mindful of His children’s daily bread.
To seek first the kingdom is to place oneself under divine care. The Father becomes responsible for what concerns His child. Therefore, the kingdom seeker lives free from worry, confident that God’s faithfulness will sustain him through every circumstance.
The Eternal Perspective
Seeking first the kingdom shifts the believer’s focus from the temporary to the eternal. Earthly possessions fade, but the treasures laid up in heaven endure forever (Matthew 6:19–21). The faithful seeker understands that this life is preparation for the life to come.
In the prophetic sense, those who seek the kingdom now are aligning themselves with the coming rule of Christ. When the trumpet sounds and the Church is caught up to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17), those who have lived in submission to His kingdom on earth will reign with Him in glory.
Thus, “seek first the kingdom” is not merely a principle for daily living—it is a preparation for eternal destiny. It separates the true disciples from mere professing believers, for the kingdom is the inheritance of those who love His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8).
Conclusion
The call of Christ to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” defines the purpose of every believer’s life. It is a command of order—God above all. It is a call to devotion—His will before ours. And it is a promise of assurance—that all things necessary will be added by the Father’s hand.
When the Church returns to this divine order, anxiety gives way to peace, and temporal pursuits yield to eternal purpose. The one who seeks the kingdom first lives under heaven’s rule, walks in righteousness, and awaits the glorious appearing of the King.
To seek first the kingdom of God is to make Christ supreme, to trust the Father completely, and to live daily in anticipation of the everlasting kingdom that shall soon be revealed.