Seeking God's Kingdom—His Righteousness

 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matt. 6:33).

More about God / Less about Provision

Hebrews 11:6 says that God is "a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." But what is the depth of this diligence? Some examples from scripture:

• "When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” - Ps. 27:8
• "So that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us." - Acts 17:27
• "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." - Jer. 29:13

Seeking with ALL of the heart means that it is ALL about God, not about me. The "Self" must be utterly cast aside so that the focus is solely on God. Jesus reflected on this self-denying seeking in John 7:18: "He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him." So then, it would seem there is some connection between truly seeking God and avoiding unrighteousness.

Seeking His Righteousness

The righteousness of God is also beyond the Self; beyond the ego; apart from seeking personal provision. St. Paul summed up this self-abandoned righteousness in these words:

"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith" (Phil. 3:7-9).

A righteousness that is from above

This righteousness of God is nothing short of the Gospel of salvation—the good news. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes . . . For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith'" (Rom. 1:16-17). This righteousness, like the very Kingdom of God, is a free gift that God longs to impart. "For it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). This "righteousness of God" is so much more precious than any worldly provision pales in comparison. Therefore, anyone with a true heart, a true love for God, is not motivated by the promise of provision, but rather, by the prospect of reconciliation to God, the salvation of the soul, even eternal life.