Matthew 6:33 - And all these things...

And all these things...

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” 

Matthew 6:33

Jesus tells us clearly what will happen when we seek God’s kingdom and righteousness first.  He says: “and all these thing will be given to you as well.”  What are all these things? 

In the context of this passage, Jesus was telling the hearers not to worry about what they will eat, drink or wear as he states in Matthew 6:25:  “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more than food and the body more than clothes?”  

In our world today, many of us consider food, water, and clothing as basic necessities of life to survive.  We tend to live life in fear that we wont have these things one day.  We get anxious and worried that at the end of the day we will not be taken care of.  We tend to think:  “Lord, give me what I need and I will follow you.”  But Jesus says the order of your request is backwards, for He says, “Follow Me (God), and then I will give you what you need.”   

Jesus knows that these things are very important, but shows that they should not be the most important.  What can be more important than our survival?  Why should we not be anxious about these things?  

Jesus continues and explains how He takes care of the birds (Matt. 6:26-27) and the flowers (Matt. 6:28-29).  “If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you - you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:30)  

"Therefore, since you are so much more valuable to God than the birds and the grass, do not worry about what you will eat, drink or wear.  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them” (Matthew 6:32).  The basic point He is making is that we are extremely valuable to Him, that He loves us and wants to take care of us.  He is our Heavenly Father and already knows that we need those things.  He is telling us not to seek those things first, but to seek His kingdom and righteousness first.   

Do we trust that God will really provide us with the basic necessities needed to follow Him?  

Do we believe that He really cares for us?   

How do you live life:  

1) “Lord, give me what I need and THEN I will follow you.”  OR

2)“Follow God, and THEN he will give you what you need.”