What Is First In Your Life?

In Mt. 6:33 Jesus stated in the great sermon on the Mount, “But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  What is the context for this statement?
In Mt. 6:19-34 the whole point is made. (v.19) “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; (v20) but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (v21) for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also.”  Here Jesus teaches a lesson on the heart which emphasises the importance of one’s heart toward God and the most important thing in life, what man was put on earth for.  Too many peo;e are interested in carnal things of life.  Jesus teaches the spiritual things such as treasures in heaven are much more important.  Carnal things don’t last long compared to spiritual things which are for eternity.  Too many people seem to think riches are the most important thing in life, much more important than the spiritual things like serving God and growing spiritually.  Mt. 6:33 plainly teaches to put the spiritual FIRST.  Few believe it, however, and do not believe it denies what Jesus said.
V.24, “No man can serve two masters:  for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other.  Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”;  Some may try to serve two masters equally, but it is impossible.  The verse teaches you love one MORE than the other.  Which is it, GOD or MAMMON (def. “riches”)?  As our children grow up we need to teach them WHICH is the more important, and we do that by being an example to them of which really is the more important.  GOD! (v25) “Therefore I say unto you, be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, which ye shall put on.  Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment?  (v.26)  Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them.  Are not ye of much more value than they?  This teaches the providence of God.  If we love God and keep his commandments, God will surely  care for us.  God cares for the birds and we are more important than birds.  In Psa. 37:25, David made this observation.  “I have been young, and now am old;  Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread.”  This implies God’s providence for His people.
v28, “For the lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever; but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.”  This again shows how God loves His saints.  In Romans 1:6-7, “among whom are ye also, called to be Jesus Christ’s:  to all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be SAINTS; Grace to you and peace from God or Father and Lord Jesus Christ.”
When we put God first in our lives, it seems the Bible teaches God will be with us and things will work out to have faithful lives serving God and a good life in this world.  God loves the whole world Jn. 3:16.
TRUTH IN LOVE, Vol. 6, No. 12 December, 2013

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