Aligning Your Life with the King

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)

The word "first" in Matthew 6 is the Greek word prōton, which means "before anything else in time, order, and priority." Jesus taught His followers that prioritizing God’s Kingdom is not a suggestion but a survival strategy directly from Heaven. When the Kingdom is placed first, provision follows. When the Kingdom is an afterthought, anxiety increases. We often want God to “add all these things” while we’re still seeking “all the other things.” But Heaven’s flow only works in Heaven’s order. The Kingdom of God is God’s reign, His rule, and His authority. The Kingdom is wherever the King has His way. In Scripture, the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven are used interchangeably (especially in the book of Matthew). The Kingdom is not just Heaven; it’s God’s divine rule manifesting in the here and now. That means His will, His presence, and His priorities become our mission.

The Greek word for “righteousness” in the text is dikaiosune —a powerful way to understand it is as rightness. It means being in right standing with God and doing things the right way (His way). So, Jesus is not just telling us to seek spiritual things, but to seek proper alignment with God’s order in both our hearts and actions, with the right motives, making the right choices, and being in the right relationships. 

When we choose to follow His way instead of our own, God also promises blessings and says, “all these things shall be added unto you.” What things is He referring to? Look back in Matthew 6, and you’ll see Jesus discussing food, drink, clothing, and all our other needs. 

Practical Application

Jesus promises that when you seek what matters to God, God takes care of what matters to you. This isn’t a barter system where we give some and God gives some; it’s Kingdom economics. When you invest in Kingdom priorities, you gain access to Kingdom treasuries. God is not asking you to neglect your needs and go hungry; He’s asking you to trust His system over your striving. Seeking first the Kingdom isn’t just about putting God at the top of your list. It’s about letting Him write the list.

Matthew 5:6; Psalm 34:10