Matthew 6:33: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
I always read this text and get out of it with this understanding that; “If I should devote myself to kingdom business with effort to attend righteousness, I will lack nothing.” What draws my attention to study this text more; if all things will be given to me if only I seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness, why are the righteous still lacking in the things of this world (Good house, cars, money etc.)? This prompts me to study carefully.
Kingdom of God
Matthew said “seek first the kingdom of God”. I ask; what and where is the kingdom of God? Romans 14:17 explained what the kingdom of God is: “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,” Paul in explaining the kingdom of God mentioned “righteousness”‘. Could this be self-righteousness or an alien-righteousness? He made it clear when he was writing to believers in Corinth; “Christ has become our righteousness” 1 Cor. 1:30; it is clear that it is not about our righteousness but God’s own righteousness in which we receive through Christ his son.
Where is this kingdom of God? I always thought that the kingdom of God that Matthew is talking about is in heaven, but if that is what he meant, how does that connect with the things of this earth? Before Matthew talks about seeking the kingdom of God in verse 33, he states the Lord’s Prayer in verse 9ff which gives more light as to where the kingdom of God should be. Verse 10; “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” The Kingdom of God should be here on earth. The text did not call us to go to the kingdom, but the kingdom should come. God’s will should be visible here on earth.
Christ promise that; “where two or three gathered in his name, he’s there with them.” It is expected that in the gathering of believers, there should exist the kingdom of God, that is, “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy ghost”. No one who seeks to be part of this kingdom should lack anything. When we dowel together in harmony and take each other’s burden that is what the kingdom of God is. This experience was evident with the early disciples; “there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it under the feet of the apostles…” This is what the kingdom of God is.
Conclusion
When we thrive for the kingdom of God and his righteousness; we should know that; the anticipated kingdom of God starts from here on earth. Let’s put a smile on someone’s face, let people feel and test the kingdom of God when they come in contact with us. I am calling the church to take it’s position and bring the kingdom of God so that it’s members can feel God’s presence. Where righteousness, peace and joy exist; there is the kingdom of God, and whoever seeks to be there, lacks nothing.
By
Martin H. Kamaidan
Saved by grace