“Seek Ye The Kingdom Of God”

But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. - Luke 12:31

    In the context of this passage of Scripture our Lord warns, yea, rather forbids, his people to be possessed of the things of this world. He reminds us that we will possess the things that he provides for us according to his good providence. He is not saying that we should not work or possess anything; rather he is saying that things should not possess us to the point that this is where our heart is and what we live for. The world seeks after these things. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world (1 Jn 2:16). The child of God seeks after the things of God and the kingdom of God. The love of the heart is manifest in the conversation (walk or life) of the man. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 Jn 2:15).

    Our jobs and possessions are not sinful until one’s love for and commitment to them infringe upon our worship of and commitment to Christ and his Gospel. As a matter of truth, the believer knows that all we have, both spiritually and materially, comes from his hand and therefore gladly commits it all to Him. The child of God diligently seeks the glory of God and lives and works toward that end. In Christ and in his Gospel, the believer finds his portion, his desire, his life, his rest, his comfort, fulfillment and joy. This is his treasure and this is where his heart is. The propensity of the professor who does not have a love for the things of God is to seek to fulfill his desire for the things of the world first, and then if there is any thought, time, resources or energy left, he appeases and seeks to gratify his conscience by offering these leftovers to God along with his excuses.

    Seeking the Kingdom of God is a continual slaughtering of the flesh and a resurrection of the new man created in Christ Jesus, who walks not after the flesh, but after the Spirit and reckons that Godliness with contentment is great gain.

    Often prosperity and success, as well as poverty and failure, is sent to reveal one’s point of rebellion as well as one’s faith. Can each of us, before God, truthfully say, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me (Gal 2:20).