Seek First, Then Have, Not Vice Versa

Jesus told us to never worry about certain things people who belong to this world are in constant worry about.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33 [ESV]).

While common sense often prevails here, such as making a living, cooking meals, or what have you, God will always provide for us as long as we keep seeking the Kingdom of God first.

Those who do not know God are often anxious, worriers, and doubters, thinking within a secular bubble that they aren’t “keeping up” with others, or their next paycheck is their lifeline.

When you belong to the Father of Lights, you shun these worries away as one who believes in the God of Israel should. It reminds me of the time Jesus snoozed away on the boat in the middle of a storm that terrified the disciples. He remained calm, collected, and without worry.

We often let our fear impede trusting in God for our needs.

If you’re on a plane, it won’t crash because you fear Him who gives the grace of life.

If you’re in the middle of a war zone (whether literal or metaphorical), trust that God will see you through to the end of the fight.

So many people, especially today, are scarred by the dating scene. That area of life is scarier than any horror novel I’ve read in recent years.

But if you trust in God for a partner, allowing Him to lead in that area, there’s no need to be anxious. Be about the Father’s business by using your gifts, and they’ll come along at the proper time in your life. We must let God dictate when that time is, and while sometimes it is soon, other times it’s farther down the road.

Some people have the gift of singleness, others have the gift of patience, and even others have the gift of having someone who compliments them.

Seek God first, and these things will be added to us, with no harm or evil.

It might be hard to say this, but sometimes seeking God first means not being unequally yoked with someone who betrays that relationship with Him, seeing as He is first in our lives.

Paul speaks of this concept in 2 Corinthians, when he mentions that light has no part with darkness. And while Paul says an unbelieving spouse is made good when a believer is already with someone, that does not mean sticking it out if they choose to blaspheme the Holy One, or something as drastic as adopting Nazi ideology. To betray Israel is to go against the LORD and His covenant with His people.

Seeking God first, we’ll find friends and people to be around that aren’t malicious gossips, busybodies, or negative.

It is a hard truth of the Christian Walk that when you turn to Jesus, not everyone is going to like that. And that’s okay. You can’t please everyone. Plus, isn’t your time better spent pleasing our Father in heaven instead of caring about what other people think of you?

Those new friends will come along at the right time, if you seek God first.

Shifting gears, our bills will always be paid if we trust in the Father. Frankly speaking, a bird is also taken care of by God, as are the lions, but they still must go out and get what God provided to them.

Don’t get me wrong.

Sometimes you’ll cast your net and catch a fish with thousands of dollars in its mouth, too. God provides supernaturally in this universe, but most of the time, we must go out and get what He has given to us.

It’s all about seeking Him first, keeping a prayer life, having gratitude and balance, and waiting upon Him to fill all our needs.

Do you have to spend every waking second on the Father?

Well, no.

He made this world for us to enjoy as well, within the confines of His commandments. Seeking God first might mean not drinking to have fun, staying pure until marriage, avoiding questionable material, and keeping our speech pure.

Honor God with your body, as it is one way to seek Him first.

This type of temptation has existed since antiquity and has only ballooned since the rise of technology.

But there’s nothing wrong with enjoying God’s creation, or the creations of mankind. Seeking Him first doesn’t mean being a killjoy to yourself.

But it certainly means dying to yourself and living for Him.
We who walk with the Father crucify the flesh with its passions, never counting Jesus’s sacrifice as a license to sin.