Christian Writers Circle

by Judy Hitson

Matthew 6:33 NKJV But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Are you seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness?

That is what the Lord prompted me to do years ago as I read this verse.

Matt. 6:19-34 came alive as a word of exhortation and reproof as I struggled with frustration and worry in prayer. I asked the Lord for earthly things, He was pursuing me to seek His kingdom and way of living.

Leaving a career to stay home as a mother was not easy. God revealed self pity, pride and selfishness. The praise of men puffed me with pride at work. Doing menial household tasks, changing dirty diapers, the baby crying or sibling rivalry was humbling. Doubts and fears caused me to think I made the wrong decision. This seemed a thankless position with the loss of salary, benefits and adult interaction. Yet  of greater value was learning to walk in sacrificial love through Christ by His Spirit and the work God ordained for me as a wife and mother. Children experience growing pains and so did I as a child of God.

What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness?

Matthew 6:19-34 has specific points the Lord revealed and brought personal understanding:
Not to lay up treasures on earth
To lay up treasures in heaven
Not to worry about what we will eat or wear
Watch the birds of the air
Consider the lilies of the field

As I heeded the Lord’s promptings, I discovered anew God’s provisions. It confirmed my heavenly Father knew what I needed. My husband had a good career that provided food, shelter and clothing for our family. What was my problem?

“For where your treasure is there will your heart be also, Matt.6:21. Crying out to the Lord for earthly things exposed my treasures were earthly. My heart needed to be changed.  Matt.6:24b You cannot serve God and mammon. I thought mammon referred to money until a former pastor said it also referred to the flesh. That brought a new perspective of serving self rather than serving God. Lord change me, I prayed. Little by little, He did. No longer do I worry about tomorrow; today has enough trouble of its own, v34.

God taught me facets of kingdom living during this transition of my life to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Disciplines I learned at that time continue to help me live Christ by the Spirit. Quiet times alone with the Lord in prayer and the word, a local church family, Bible study, fellowship with women in the faith and times of confession and repentance to turn from my ways to God’s ways.

Prayer: Thank You Holy Spirit as my Helper to convict worldliness in me of sin, righteousness and judgment, teaching me Kingdom living and transforming me to grow to the full measure of Christ. Amen.
( John 16:8; Col.1:13; 2Cor.5:17; Rom.12:2; Eph.4:13.)