Kingdom First
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:23
The people who listened to the words of Christ were still anxiously watching for some announcement of the earthly kingdom. While Jesus was opening to them the treasures of heaven, the question uppermost in many minds was, How will a connection with Him advance our prospects iin the world? Jesus shows that in making the things of the world their supreme anxiety they were like the heathen nations about them, living as if there were no God, whose tender care is over His creatures.
"All these things," said Jesus, "do the nations of the world seek after." "Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Luke 12:30; Matthew 6:32, 33). I have come to open to you the kingdom of love and righteousness and peace. Open your hearts to receive this kingdom, and make its service your highest interest. Though it is a spiritual kingdom, fear not that your needs for this life will be uncared-for. If you give yourself to God's service, He who has all power in heaven and earth will provide for your needs. (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 98, 99)
Reflection: We all know that when we die we don't take anything with us. We need to take care of ourselves and families, but without Christ being the first, last, and best in everything, we will end up without a Savior.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:23
The people who listened to the words of Christ were still anxiously watching for some announcement of the earthly kingdom. While Jesus was opening to them the treasures of heaven, the question uppermost in many minds was, How will a connection with Him advance our prospects iin the world? Jesus shows that in making the things of the world their supreme anxiety they were like the heathen nations about them, living as if there were no God, whose tender care is over His creatures.
"All these things," said Jesus, "do the nations of the world seek after." "Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Luke 12:30; Matthew 6:32, 33). I have come to open to you the kingdom of love and righteousness and peace. Open your hearts to receive this kingdom, and make its service your highest interest. Though it is a spiritual kingdom, fear not that your needs for this life will be uncared-for. If you give yourself to God's service, He who has all power in heaven and earth will provide for your needs. (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 98, 99)
Reflection: We all know that when we die we don't take anything with us. We need to take care of ourselves and families, but without Christ being the first, last, and best in everything, we will end up without a Savior.
RSS Feed
