Seek First the Kingdom
Subscribe to the Podcast!
〰️
Subscribe to the Podcast! 〰️
Context & Meaning
Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:33 come at the heart of the Sermon on the Mount. He has just taught His disciples about prayer, fasting, and giving—practices that reveal whether we trust God or ourselves. Then He shifts to the daily anxieties that weigh us down: food, clothing, and provision.
The audience knew these worries well. Most lived hand-to-mouth, vulnerable to bad harvests, oppressive taxes, or illness that could wipe out a family’s livelihood. And into that fragile reality, Jesus says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
The command is more than a pep talk about not worrying. It is a radical reorientation of life. The cure for anxiety isn’t better planning or trying harder—it’s anchoring in a greater pursuit. Jesus is saying: You don’t need to run after what the world runs after. Your Father already knows your needs. Run after Me. Make My Kingdom your priority, and everything else will fall into place in light of eternity.
Theological Perspective
So what does it mean to seek the Kingdom? The Bible presents at least three layers:
The reign of the King. The Kingdom of God is the sovereign rule of Jesus Christ over all things. He is not a consultant to add into our lives but the King who claims exclusive rights to them. His dominion begins in the heart but stretches into every sphere—our homes, our workplaces, our communities, and ultimately the whole creation.
The orienting reality. The Kingdom is not one slice of the pie; it is the plate that holds the whole pie. Everything else—career, finances, relationships, ambitions—finds its meaning in light of Christ’s reign. Life is not about squeezing God into our crowded schedules but reshaping the entire schedule around Him.
The already and not yet. Through His incarnation, death, and resurrection, Jesus has already inaugurated the Kingdom. The Spirit now advances redemption in His people. Yet the fullness is still future. One day, Christ will return, destroy His enemies, right every wrong, wipe away every tear, and make all things new.
When Jesus commands us to “seek” the Kingdom, He uses an active, ongoing verb. It is not a casual interest but a daily pursuit. And He adds “first”—the Kingdom is not one of many priorities but the priority. To seek it is to love and obey the King, to submit our entire lives to His unrivaled authority.
And this pursuit is inseparable from righteousness. Righteousness is first received as a gift—Christ’s perfect obedience credited to us by faith (2 Cor. 5:21). But it is also practiced daily—training ourselves for godliness (1 Tim. 4:7–8). Seeking the Kingdom means resting in the righteousness of Christ and allowing the Spirit to shape us into His likeness.
Gospel Connection
Here’s where the gospel becomes both confronting and comforting. Left to ourselves, none of us seek first the Kingdom. We all build our own little empires—chasing success, comfort, reputation, or even family pride. And Jesus’ words expose us. He does not accept leftovers. He does not share thrones.
But the gospel announces this good news: Christ perfectly sought the Father’s Kingdom when we could not. He obeyed in our place, even to the point of death on a cross. He bore the judgment our rebellion deserved, then rose in victory, opening the way for us to enter His Kingdom.
This means two things. First, our standing before God is secure, not because of our flawless pursuit but because of Christ’s flawless obedience. Second, by His Spirit, we are actually empowered to live differently. The Spirit reshapes our desires and strengthens us to live with Kingdom-first focus in the ordinary routines of life. The call to seek the Kingdom is impossible apart from Christ, but in Him, it becomes not only possible but joyful.
Biblical Thread
This theme runs like a golden thread throughout Scripture:
Exodus 20:3–5 – God demands no other gods before Him. Exclusive devotion is not optional.
Deuteronomy 6:5 – Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and might. Half-hearted love is not love at all.
Matthew 22:37–38 – Jesus names this as the greatest commandment.
2 Corinthians 5:14–15 – The love of Christ compels us to no longer live for ourselves but for Him.
Philippians 3:8–9 – Paul counts everything loss compared to knowing Christ, considering the world’s trophies rubbish compared to gaining Him.
The testimony of Scripture is clear: God does not accept rivals. Jesus does not share thrones. To follow Him is to surrender everything.
Reflection Questions
If someone studied your calendar and bank account, would they see Jesus’ Kingdom first—or yours?
What activities most easily push prayer, family discipleship, or gathering with God’s people to the margins?
What do your children (or those around you) learn about your values from how you spend time and money?
Where have good things become ultimate things—subtly displacing devotion to Christ?
Practical Steps (Head, Heart, Hands)
Head: Write your own definition of the Kingdom of God and read it daily this week. Let it remind you that you live in a larger story.
Heart: Begin each morning by speaking one Scripture promise out loud before busyness speaks first.
Hands: Rearrange one tangible area—whether budget, schedule, or habits—to visibly reflect Kingdom-first living. Do it with your family or a friend.
Challenge to people in Different Life Stages
Students—Don’t waste your life.
Every choice you make—your major, friendships, activities—shapes your future. Culture says these years are about “finding yourself.” Jesus says they are about finding Him. He doesn’t want a slice of your life; He demands the whole pie. Don’t trade eternal treasure for temporary applause. Build your ambitions and identity around the Kingdom, and you’ll discover a life that actually matters.
Young Families—Your calendar is a sermon.
Each practice, recital, or school event communicates what really matters in your home. A packed schedule might win trophies and diplomas, but what if it preaches to your kids that Jesus comes second? Parents, your children don’t primarily need more opportunities to succeed; they need parents who show them Christ is worthy of everything. Set rhythms of worship, prayer, and discipleship. Lead your family in Kingdom living—not someday, but today.
Empty Nesters—Don’t retire from the Kingdom.
When the nest grows quiet and the margin expands, it can be tempting to coast. But margin is never neutral; it reveals what we treasure. These years can be your most fruitful. You carry wisdom that younger believers need. You have resources to fuel gospel work. The Kingdom needs your voice, prayers, and investment. This season is not the end—it is an opportunity to multiply our impact for Christ.
Widows and Widowers—Your tears still witness.
Grief is heavy, and loneliness cuts deep. But your pain is not wasted. Jesus Himself wept at a graveside and promised resurrection life. Every morning, you cling to His promises, bearing witness that His love is stronger than death. God can use your faith in this season to comfort the broken and point others to hope in Christ. Your story isn’t finished—your faith may shine brightest now.
Older Couples—Your weakness preaches.
As strength fades and doctor visits multiply, you may feel sidelined. But the Kingdom is not limited by your abilities. Paul says outward decay can become a platform for inner renewal (2 Cor. 4:16). Every diagnosis, every sleepless night is an opportunity to display Christ’s sufficiency. When you model trust in weakness, you proclaim to the watching world that Jesus is better than health, comfort, or even life itself.
A Final Call to Believers
Jesus’ command is simple but searching: Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Everything else is secondary. Every stage of life carries unique temptations to drift, but the call remains the same: Christ must reign first.
There are countless things you could do with your life. There is only one you must do: seek first His Kingdom. Because in the end, nothing compares to gaining Christ Himself.
Application for Unbelievers
Friend, maybe you sense that Christ is not first in your life. If you’re honest, you’ve been building your own little kingdom—living for success, comfort, pleasure, or control. But Scripture is clear: every rival kingdom will collapse. Our rebellion against the true King is sin, and sin separates us from God. Half-obedience, divided loyalty, and neglect of Christ all lead to the same end: eternal separation from Him.
But the good news is this: the King Himself has come. Jesus lived the perfect life you and I failed to live. He died on the cross to bear the judgment your sin deserved. Three days later, He rose again—defeating sin, death, and hell. Through Him, the Kingdom of God has broken into this world, and the invitation to enter is open today.
The call is simple yet costly: repent and believe. Repentance means laying down your crown, turning away from ruling your own life, and bowing to Christ as King. Faith means trusting Him alone for forgiveness and life. Following Jesus will cost you everything, but if you gain Christ, you gain forgiveness, peace with God, and eternal life in a Kingdom that will never end.
The question before you is this: Will you bow to King Jesus? He does not share thrones. Either He rules your heart, or something else does. Today, He offers you life—life abundant now and life everlasting to come.