Jesus Teaching About the Lilies of the Fieldby CBPepper
6:33Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
To seek first is to make God's spiritual kingdom of love, righteousness and peace and Christ's righteousness the first business and first work of life, with heart, mind, soul and strength, in wholehearted obedience to His commands. All these things to be added are food, drink, clothing and whatever else is genuinely needed for livelihood and daily duty, which the heavenly Father knows and will supply to those who put Him first. The command forbids anxious thought about life, body and tomorrow, calling for restful trust in the Creator who gave life and holds the future, while working diligently, faithfully and wisely rather than living in idleness. This priority must rule every thought, plan and work above personal interest, worldly success and selfish gratification, shaping Christlike character, faithful stewardship, and earnest service for the salvation of others in view of judgment and the shortness of time. The promise is sure to those who meet its conditions of faithful, obedient service, bringing God's prospering hand, peace, strength and help for daily duties and coming trials, with godliness carrying promise for the present life and the life to come.
Setting and Context
The command was spoken by Christ in the Sermon on the Mount, given especially to the disciples but in the hearing of the assembled multitude. That sermon presents plain and simple truths of eternal life as a sure foundation for faith and practice. Entrance into the kingdom it proclaims has conditions, and its nature, which is not worldly greatness, is understood through the principles Christ taught and His character.
It concludes the lesson from the lilies and the grass of the field about the Father's care, and is to be read in every lily and every spear of grass. The same lesson is drawn from the birds that do not sow or reap or gather into barns yet are fed by the Father, from the flowers, lilies and grass clothed more gloriously than Solomon in all his glory though they wither in a day, and from the little sparrow upheld and strengthened. No anxious thought can add a cubit to stature, life is more than meat and the body than raiment, and God's power to sustain is further shown by His provision for Israel in the desert and for Elijah in famine. His care for grass and animals shows He will provide still more for human beings made in His image.
The verse belongs to the connected teaching beginning with laying up treasure in heaven rather than on earth where moth and rust corrupt and thieves steal, for where treasure is the heart will be also. It requires keeping the eye single so the whole body is full of light, and refusing divided service because no man can serve God and mammon. It refuses anxious thought about life and the body, about what to eat, drink and wear, and about tomorrow, exposing the dangers and unbelief of the time and calling for walking by faith. Anxious seeking after these things marks the Gentiles, while the Father already knows His children need them.
The lesson is clear and accessible to sincere followers regardless of intellectual ability, for genuine faith and trust in God matter more than learning or talent without sincerity. It contradicted the self-righteous doctrines and practices of the scribes and Pharisees, opposed their misrepresentation of God, and revealed Him as loving and merciful. Failure to walk in the light given through patriarch and prophet was separating the Jewish people from God and bringing darkness upon them in proportion to the light shined on their pathway, while obedience would have prepared them to exhibit character and works of an elevated order. The Jews were urged to set affection on heavenly things and subordinate earthly things to them, but misunderstanding Scripture they rejected Christ as the foretold Messiah and Saviour, whose reception would have led them to honor the Son as they professed to honor the Father.
It was spoken when Christ was young, with His face bright with His Father's presence. It was spoken not only for children and youth but for worried and perplexed men and women whose lives are full of worry and perplexity and who are bowed down with disappointment and sorrow.
Kingdom and Righteousness Defined
The kingdom to be sought first is spiritual, not worldly greatness, earthly glory, or political restoration, but the kingdom of divine grace, a kingdom of love and righteousness and peace. Its nature is understood through the principles Christ taught and through His character, and entrance into it has conditions. Putting God's service first does not mean neglect of needs in this life, for those who put that kingdom above every other interest can rest in God's care and receive every blessing needed for this life, since God attends to each life in detail and longs for His children to reflect His character.
His righteousness to be sought is Christ's righteousness, and seeking God's kingdom and Christ's righteousness is life's first and greatest aim, with every other goal, worldly pleasure, praise, amusement, personal attraction, ability and talent made secondary and devoted to God. It includes the inward adorning of a meek and quiet spirit, even meekness, which makes persons valuable in God's sight, and the heavenly robe of Christ's righteousness which every person must put on who would enter the pearly gates of the New Jerusalem and stand at the marriage feast. Knowing and practicing this requires a new, proper reading of the Bible with submission and obedience that receives spiritual food from it. Genuine religion is hearing with the ears and understanding with the heart unto obedience, as a living principle brought into the heart and worked outward in character after the likeness of Christ, which is the religion of the Bible, not merely doing one's best and trusting Jesus to fill out the rest while only avoiding marked outrageous acts such as murder, stealing, and direct lying. Seeking the kingdom of Heaven and the righteousness of Christ means doing Christ's works, including tender pity and sympathy to the poor, widows and fatherless with the care one would want for one's own family, and self-interest that neglects the needy is contrary to this seeking and bars blessing until recognized.
Only God's righteousness will the Holy Spirit approve and seal, for the Spirit is God's seal of His own righteousness and will never seal sin as righteousness, so putting God's kingdom and His righteousness first is the divinely appointed preparation for receiving the baptism or gift of the Holy Spirit. Christ in everything put God's kingdom and righteousness first, and what He did He commands His followers to do, giving His example so that in His strength they may render the obedience God requires and at last stand perfect before His throne. That seeking first meant oneness with the Father and a life fulfilling the law in continual obedience to God's commands and commandments. God requires walking in the light given through patriarch and prophet and rendering perfect obedience to His plainly revealed will, and failure to walk in that light separates from God and brings darkness in proportion to light shined on the pathway, while improving God-given responsibility through obedience prepares to exhibit character and works of an elevated order in harmony with accumulated light. Eternal interest depends on obedience to the law, so seeking the Lord most earnestly to gain knowledge of Him must be made first business and first consideration with all else secondary, grasped by searching the Scriptures and feeding on the words of Christ which are spirit and life so that knowledge enlarges and expands, and by doing justice and judgment and seeking first to know God and His glory and will before any other thing.
Seeking first is the first work, first business, chief aim and condition of life, on which God's provision rests, requiring heart, mind, soul and strength, wholehearted service, and diligent work to secure the eternal and not neglect preparation for the better life. It means seeking diligently for purity of heart and holiness of life as servants of the heavenly King who died to ransom souls from Satan's claims, showing allegiance by yielding the best and holiest affections and laying at His feet all influence, talents and entire being to work for His glory. It means turning from one's own way, wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts, admitting neglected duties, returning to God for mercy and abundant pardon, asking for pardon and strength to serve Him, enlarging desires, keeping the heart open for Christ's grace, and being ready to receive blessing with heart and mind fully devoted to the Lord's work. It is the very first lesson parents must teach children, taking priority over worry about eating, drinking and wearing, with daily lessons of trust instead of anxious thought for tomorrow.
Seeking shapes the entire character, making one with the Saviour, a partaker of the divine nature, with Christlike character shining as light to church and world. Spiritual growth depends entirely on the Lord as natural growth does, for no one can add to stature by thought and no one can grow by patterning character and mind after another person; each must look to God individually and grow up under God's supervision with God-given ability, forming character after God's likeness with distinct characters rather than all becoming alike. Each has an individual work in working out salvation with fear and trembling through Christ who opened the way by His death, trusting a good God whose mercy endures forever and who knows every trial, temptation, conflict and good endeavor, to perfect Christian character, refuse wrong influence, overcome individually, remove moral defects, and wash robes in the blood of the Lamb. The only safe course is to put God's kingdom and righteousness first rather than be absorbed in earthly temporal concerns and neglect salvation, valuing the plan of salvation and Christ's sacrifice, cooperating with Christ through works pleasing to God, and continually striving for purity, meekness and holiness, without which His sacrifice does not benefit. This calls for wholehearted, earnest, awake, personally interested and zealous effort as for the pearl of great price, putting away anything leading to half-heartedness or hindering overcoming including personal indulgences, lest the opportunity be lost, for by life practice eternal destiny is decided and progress and reward in the future immortal life advance from the seeking done in this world.
Promise of Added Provision
All these things are food, drink, clothing and every other needed temporal thing for livelihood and business, including whatever is genuinely needed or helpful in the way of life. Material necessities can otherwise become snares used to deceive and destroy, so they are to be sought only after God's kingdom and righteousness are made first, with present commitment in the struggle against selfishness and not delay until the future. Spiritual prosperity is to be first, ahead of temporal prosperity, with care for temporal prosperity remaining but with far less anxious concern than for spiritual prosperity. Those who have embraced the truth and love God and keep His commandments will not be left hungry or without clothing.
The heavenly Father already knows the need for food, drink and clothing, and will add all needed things to those who seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness instead of taking thought for them. Putting God's service first does not mean needs in this life will be neglected, for other needs are to be entrusted to God while priority is given to salvation and the character formed through repentance, faith and devotion rather than letting temporal interests displace eternal ones. His care for even the grass and animals shows He will provide still more for human beings, who are made in His image and purchased as His heritage and valued far above flowers, lilies, birds and sparrows. The promise that these necessities will be added rests on trusting the heavenly Father and doing the work with a single aim to glorify God, acting diligently, faithfully, carefully, thriftily and wisely while depending not on the outcome of efforts or on earthly wealth but on God's promise, using entrusted money to sustain God's work and help others and thereby laying up lasting treasure in heaven.
God's provision may come amid poverty or wealth, sickness or health, and simplicity or wisdom, for ordinary life is to be lived for God's glory and under the Father's will. Its promise directs hope toward heaven and enduring riches reserved there for those who diligently seek eternal life, rather than toward passing earthly advantages which cannot compare with them. Making God's kingdom and righteousness supreme brings freedom from the burdens of worldly ambition and worry and trust in God's care for other needs, for He sees the end from the beginning and has ways to bring relief that cannot be foreseen, and godliness so lived carries promise for both present life and the life to come in a life of true godliness and preparation for eternal life.
God's power to sustain is illustrated by the provision given to Israel in the desert and to Elijah during famine. It is illustrated by the Father feeding the birds of the air that do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and by His clothing the lilies and grass of the field that withers in a day more gloriously than Solomon in all his glory, and by His upholding and strengthening His weakest child and caring for the little sparrow. Those who give up earthly security and use possessions to support God's work can trust that God will provide for them even in famine, so that bread and water will be sure. Nothing can do real good without the blessing of God, and what God blesses is blessed, so the little with the blessing of God is more efficient and extends farther, and grace will make a little go a great ways, and when God smiles upon efforts it is worth more than any earthly income.
The promise is true, sure and precious from Christ who means every word He says, and it does not fail. On condition of seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness first, living up to light given, and serving God faithfully and obediently with willing, cheerful hearts, making eternal things the first business and temporal things secondary, God will work for His children and His blessing and prospering hand will attend them, and they will receive the peace of Christ in their hearts. That priority, making God first, last and best in every thought, plan and work with obedience as first duty, brings peace, contentment, wisdom the world cannot give or take away, quietness and satisfaction of mind, with health, strength and healing influence associated with the blessing. Its blessing is experienced by those who diligently seek God and make practical application by complying with its conditions and then believing, doing duty with an eye single to the glory of God and filling time working out God's plan, since time and talents belong to the Lord and no one can be independent of God's Spirit, will, providences and plans. If things of this life are made first and eternal things secondary, if sacred things are neglected and God's claims are met with indifference and self-chosen courses, the promise is not realized and God leaves people to their own judgment, and the blessings resting on the faithful and obedient cannot be expected.
Trust Without Anxiety
The command forbids anxious thought about life, the body, and tomorrow, requiring that the kingdom of God and His righteousness be put first while food, drink, clothing and all other needed things are entrusted to the heavenly Father. Together with the following command not to take thought for the morrow, it calls for giving priority to salvation and to character formed through repentance, faith and devotion, rather than letting temporal interests displace eternal ones. No anxious thought can add a cubit to stature, for life is more than meat and the body than raiment, and the Father who feeds the birds that do not sow or reap or gather into barns and who clothes the lilies and grass of the field more gloriously than Solomon in all his glory already knows His children need these things. This leaves no room for the excuse that children and domestic duties leave no time for studying the Word and taking up God-given responsibilities, since children properly managed become a help and not a hindrance. It requires laying up treasure in heaven rather than on earth where moth and rust corrupt and thieves steal, keeping the eye single so the whole body is full of light, and refusing divided service because no man can serve God and mammon. In the Sabbath setting these lessons from the lilies and other works of nature direct the mind away from anxious thoughts about daily needs toward God and His gifts, calling also for a character reflecting Christ's beauty, who knows poverty and hardship and can use those who have means to provide for people in need.
Anxious seeking after what to eat, drink or wear marks the Gentiles, while God's children are to behold His works to enlarge their views of His goodness and leave cares in His hands. Care is proportionate to place in creation, so beings created in His image and purchased as His heritage are valued far above flowers, birds and the little sparrow, every human being having a page in the volume of providence with the events of life history and never being absent for a moment from the mind of God. Trust in this care frees from undue anxiety and brings rest of soul, because the Father sustains all creation and tenderly watches each person in daily work, prayer, rest and need. The Creator who gave life and made the body knows the need for food and clothing and is not unmindful of it, and the growth of the flowers testifies to His power and care, giving reason to trust Him who lovingly holds the future. Acknowledging God as the giver of rain, sunshine and every blessing, giving thanks to Him, and faithfully doing daily duties allow people to trust Him for tomorrow and avoid the anxious care that brings unhappiness. Rather than making earthly concerns central, believers are to wait upon Christ, turn their minds to God's paradise and the riches and glory promised to the saints, and learn here to praise God as they will in heaven.
Questioning how to live and support family when obeying Christ's call, and imagining He will not sustain in trial of faith, is unbelief and distrust that dishonors Him. The Lord opens the way for those who serve Him fully and astonishes them with His providences, and with seeking first belongs taking no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for itself. Such distrust loses precious revealings of His Spirit and makes it impossible for God to multiply blessing and grace, while service rendered in perfect faith and love is rewarded with the richest revealing of His grace. Deliberately deciding to go contrary to the word spoken by Jesus Christ takes a person away from God, refuses to be a follower of Jesus Christ, changes leaders to the great leader of apostasy, lays up treasure for self instead of being rich toward God, and removes all reason to expect to be religiously inclined. Keeping it belongs with believing in the Son for everlasting life as the plain condition Christ gives.
The promise does not teach idleness or neglecting ordinary work, property, debts or family needs, and using the surrounding teaching about earthly concerns to justify stopping work in order to devote self wholly to spiritual things is a misuse of Scripture. In work and business people are to act diligently, faithfully, carefully, thriftily and wisely while depending not on the outcome of efforts or on financial resources but on God's promise. Trusting God makes it safe not to strain health or become anxious about acquiring property or paying debts, for when the kingdom and righteousness are made the first concern God promises to provide the things needed. Constant, wearing work that sacrifices religious interests for profit cannot secure lasting good. Simple, earnest faith and persevering, trusting prayer make even humble daily work sacred, and steadfast integrity and a holy life honor God in every station. God's power to sustain in such faithful labor is illustrated by provision for Israel in the desert and for Elijah during famine.
First in Daily Life
God's kingdom and his righteousness must be put first, made life's first and greatest aim, with every other goal secondary and no worldly interest or plan allowed to absorb the time and attention owed to God. They are to be first, last and best in every thought, plan and work, with obedience as the first duty, eternal matters given their proper importance, direction sought from God, and sacred responsibilities carried out in a spiritual rather than worldly spirit. The pursuit of worldly pleasures, praise, amusement, personal attractions, abilities and talents must not displace this priority, but those gifts are to be devoted to God, with eternity in view and concern for eternal welfare and heavenly things never given second place. Enjoying divine favor depends on meeting this condition, and those who meet it receive the promise that needed things will be provided, with peace, contentment and wisdom that the world cannot give or take away.
In business this priority requires Christian principles of justice and honesty, refusing to set aside right principles for selfish gain, sharp practice, taking advantage of others, fraud, speculation, serving mammon, or chasing hoped-for profits at the cost of time, money and mounting debt. Financial gain for God's work cannot justify wrong dealing, and overwork for temporal matters that crowds out godliness, Bible truth and service, leaving God's work weak and neglected, is unfaithfulness to the trust committed. True success depends on faithful adherence to right even when custom or financial pressure seems to make dishonest practices necessary, for one who puts love of gain first allows cupidity to control the whole person until reason is overborne and the soul becomes enslaved and laid on the altar of mammon. Gain bought at the cost of the soul brings ruin, and such a person does not seek God first and cannot claim the promise that needed things will be added.
In dress, food and use of means the same priority brings freedom from anxiety about clothing, food and drink, trusting that the heavenly Father knows these needs and will clothe and feed his children far more surely than he clothes the grass of the field. These necessities are not to become the chief aim of life or be pursued in excess, and anxious concern and worldly self-adornment that consume time needed for God's work are to be rejected in favor of seeking the grace of the Holy Spirit and valuing a meek and quiet spirit. Spending the Lord's entrusted time, money and strength on extravagant dress, needless display and indulgent appetite wastes resources, weakens health, harms the body, and makes it impossible to offer the body as a living sacrifice. Such excess is a marked sin of the last days and a sign of Christ's soon coming.
In family life parents are to make God's kingdom and righteousness their first concern and first business, the very first lesson to teach children, taking priority over worry about what to eat, drink and wear and over anxious thought for tomorrow, with assurance that the Father who knows all these needs will add all temporal things and teach daily lessons of trust. This means obeying Christ, living simply, avoiding needless cares, outward display, amusement, visiting and gossip, and giving time to children's instruction, temperance, obedience, Scripture teaching and the establishment of a prayer altar with God's help sought to teach wisely. Lack of time from children and domestic duties is no excuse for neglecting study of the Word and God-given responsibilities, since children properly managed become a help and not a hindrance. Families who do not understand the truth are to be patiently taught this warning and lesson.
In education putting God's kingdom and righteousness first is the fundamental principle of true education, meaning knowledge of God and Christ comes before intellectual achievement, worldly ambition, politics, science, literature, painting, music and studies that do not lead to eternal life. Education is not to be selfish or aim at worldly success and selfish ambition, pride or recognition, but to honor and serve God, with both book study and practical work directed to that object through study of God's word, living connection with God and exercise of the better traits of character, producing results as lasting as eternity. Students who put study first and neglect prayer, Bible study and religious duties neglect the foundation of true knowledge, while making God their strength and learning to know him lays the foundation for thorough education and forms characters fit for service in this life and for immortal life. Those who put God first become co-workers with him, and the other things they need are added to them.
The same priority requires remaining at camp meeting for spiritual blessing rather than leaving for farm and household concerns, setting temporal interests aside in faith in God's promise and leaving consequences with him. It directs the mind on the Sabbath away from anxious thoughts about daily needs toward God and his gifts, with trust replacing worry about food, drink and clothing because the Father knows these needs, as the lilies and other works of nature teach confidence in his care. In building a sanitarium the first work is seeking God's kingdom and righteousness, making conversion, Christlike character and service to God primary and laying the foundation in Jesus Christ. This requires individual new birth able to represent the new life in character, with knowledge of God and Jesus Christ as eternal life of primary importance, lamps trimmed and burning, honest self-searching about loving God with heart, soul, mind and strength, entrance into Christ's fold, faith working by love purifying the soul, and word, practice and disposition bearing the Bible test with fragrant, regenerated influence in daily life. In school work it means giving priority to religious responsibilities rather than overburdening workers with competing labor until they have no strength for Sabbath service, and never postponing spiritual work for lack of means or financial trouble.
Seeking first enables remaining true to God rather than compromising with false religion, with God able to uphold, honor and provide for what is needed. A Christian who puts God's kingdom and righteousness first can remain faithful and witness even in hostile surroundings, pressure, ridicule or possible loss of an employer's favor, since difficult circumstances and obstacles do not excuse neglecting God's claims or disobedience for one determined to seek him. Strength comes through prayer and study of the Word to pursue virtue and turn from vice, with help and grace sufficient for every circumstance promised to those who turn to him for aid. True wisdom refuses to follow political agitators or become absorbed in worldly political parties, mixed up with political questions, strife, attachments and working partnerships with unbelievers, the disloyal and idolaters, but stands under God's colors in saving the soul as the greatest study and first work, doing the work God has given to each.
Character Service and Stewardship
Seeking first with heart, mind, soul and strength is the first work on which provision rests, and it shapes the entire character into Christlikeness, oneness with the Saviour, and partaking of the divine nature that shines as light to church and world. It requires looking to Jesus for strength beyond one's own and depending on His righteousness for salvation, receiving Him by faith as personal Saviour, escaping the corruption in the world through lust, breaking habits that lead to earthly sensual actions, and losing taste for trifling conversation. It means trusting God who knows every trial, temptation, conflict and good endeavor, for God is good and His mercy endures forever, and it means seeking to perfect Christian character, refusing to be turned in the wrong direction, and overcoming individually, each doing his own work in working out salvation with fear and trembling through Christ who opened the way by His death, so that moral defects are removed and robes washed in the blood of the Lamb. It brings Christian consistency in every action, with all other needed things added.
It brings contentment for those tempted to be determined to be rich, and yielding of the will to the control of the Holy Spirit. It puts away strife for place and position, reaching for honor and recognition, hasty temper, cruel speech, unkind thought, exalting one and condemning another, and elbowing a fellow worker to make room for personal plans. Instead the greatest desire becomes to work in just the place God has assigned where He can look with approval, revealing fruits of righteousness in right words that bless and encourage, honoring Christ at every step by obedience to the word of truth. It means giving the soul's interests priority over business and selfish pursuits, living an ordered godly life, denying self to honor God and win others, cultivating religious faculties and keeping the soul in the love of God through active interest in religious service and work in the church. Without this earnest resolute aim beyond mere desires and good intentions, Christians lose convincing power with unbelievers, prayer meetings lack the Spirit's presence, and believers remain spiritually stunted, immature, unable to understand godliness or know Christ personally.
It means personal interest must not come first but the kingdom and righteousness first in all pursuits of life, with diligent work to secure the eternal, purity of heart and holiness of life, and service as servants of the heavenly King who died to ransom souls from Satan's claims. It means showing allegiance by yielding the best and holiest affections and laying at His feet all influence, talents and entire being to work for His glory, devoting to His service all ingenuity, judgment, power to execute, reasoning ability, aptitude and sharp thinking, which all come from God. It requires considering oneself the Lord's property by creation and redemption, giving the Lord what is due Him, standing as faithful soldiers under Christ's banner, employing every gift and endowment in actual service, bearing a share of burdens so prosperity may attend gospel preaching, not laying up treasures on earth, and entering the strait narrow way with each faithfully stewarding his own talent himself. It calls for making heaven and God's glory the best and whole interest first above every other object, rising in Christ's spirit and mind with firm purpose, separating from worldly influences, breaking every worldly link, laying aside every weight with no reserve, undercurrent, secondary object, worldly motive or selfish aim, wearing the armor of righteousness and being absolutely for Christ as He is for His people before God, with Christ abiding in the heart as co-workers in saving souls. It means giving God the first fruits of life — love, faith, strength, time, talents, best hours and best energies — putting the Redeemer's interests before self or any other, centering life round this point, which leads to greater nobility and liberality.
It means God's work and cause deserve first consideration in partnership with God, with strongest efforts directed to eternal things God values through Christ's sacrifice, rather than being ruled by fear of lacking food or clothing. Those entrusted with money, abilities and resources are to use them to sustain God's work, help others, share truth and win people to it, thereby laying lasting treasure in heaven and securing eternal riches rather than relying on earthly wealth or fastening money in property. It means giving self and resources to God's work in self-denying, self-sacrificing obedience in response to what Christ has done, not letting worldly interests, household or business cares, and plans absorb time and attention, with a wide field for doing good whose words and deeds lead others to Jesus. It includes meeting necessities of the cause, sustaining missions, giving tithes and offerings, and helping the poor, widows and fatherless, rather than burying talents.
It calls for surrendering will and way to the Lord and doing one's work in any vocation according to His will, refusing entanglement in worldly pursuits and faithfully carrying out appointed work. The work dearest to Christ is drawing souls to Him by sharing light, truth and warning, with increased efforts to save sinners from error shown through faithful work and right example. It means going to needy places with earnest, efficient, continuous labor to hold up truth in cities and villages where thousands do not know the shortness of time, sustaining oneself by one's own labor while doing missionary work, with God's blessing following that self-denying move, and being in earnest to communicate freely received light and grace. Heeding it with eternal happiness in view makes one a child of God and living example, careful in words and actions and devoted to seeking and saving the lost, bent on doing good to all within reach and wanting part in every good work for upbuilding Christ's kingdom, following Him who became poor and died to give eternal riches. The more is done the more is seen to do, with growing earnestness, and to such seekers are added character development, stronger faith, steadier zeal, increase of piety, purity and holy zeal, intensified love for God, truth and perishing souls, fervor, untiring diligence, childlike devotion in kindness and service, and many souls saved.
It contains lessons still not fully learned that call for more diligent study of Scripture, ordering life by God's truth found in His word. Scripture is to be received not as make-believe but as truth of the living God, foundation of faith and assurance of hope of eternal life in heaven's kingdom. It means recognizing every gift as from Him and letting gratitude fill the heart until a heavenly atmosphere surrounds the soul. Knowing and practicing His righteousness requires new proper Bible reading with submission and obedience that receives spiritual food, seeking the heavenly adorning of Christ's robe required to enter the New Jerusalem. Putting kingdom and righteousness first is the divinely appointed preparation for baptism of the Holy Spirit, for only God's righteousness will the Spirit approve and seal, since the Spirit is God's seal of His own righteousness and will never seal sin as righteousness. It means God's people everywhere repenting, converting, humbling themselves, making purification of His Spirit the first work to be refined and cleansed from wood, hay and stubble, bringing great reformation with all needful things added.
It teaches seeking eternal life diligently with confidence God will provide all essential for good, directing hope to heaven and enduring riches rather than passing earthly advantages. Seeking kingdom and righteousness is life's first and greatest aim with every other goal secondary, giving eternal matters proper importance, looking to God for direction, and doing sacred responsibilities in a spiritual not worldly spirit. Worldly pleasures, praise, amusement, attractions, abilities and talents must not displace this priority but be devoted to God, turning life's remnant to account for Him, fleeing to the Stronghold crying for eternal life with unprejudiced heart viewing life in light of eternity. The urgency rests on judgment, for pride must not throw back reproof, God has claims that cannot be released, each must render account for every day, the daily record passes to God, the recording angel testifies, and the life-picture is faithfully made to be met again, with sealing and Christ's coming near and the soul of infinite worth. Heaven must be everything, pursued as the pearl of great price with resolute self-denying persevering effort to separate from sin, perfect holiness in fear of God, be faithful in duties, accept Christ's freely presented mercies, and need the Light of life every moment to the end of the race.
Even when obedience appears likely to cut off support, God's people must not depart from His will to secure food or preserve life but obey His commands and trust His promises, relying on Him to provide what is needed. When trials or losses over temporal needs threaten, earthly things must not govern or lead to disobedience, and those sanctified through truth let nothing come between them and duty even under reproach or suffering. Remaining true rather than compromising with false religion allows God to uphold, honor and supply. Christ Himself in everything put kingdom and righteousness first, being one with the Father, fulfilling the law in continual obedience, and what He did He commands followers to do, enabling them in His strength to render required obedience and at last stand perfect before the throne.
Neglect through backsliding, living for selfish interest and merely the present, being swallowed in worldly cares, letting business absorb mind, time, interest and strength, or self-absorption, shuts the Saviour from mind and heart, crowds God's word out, leaves destitute of God's Spirit, neglects heavenly things, weakens devotion, hinders growth in grace, and leaves churches languishing and crippled. It calls for repentance without delay, change of course, wholehearted return, humbling soul before God, readiness to sacrifice anything rather than lose favor, cultivating love for devotion, practicing self-denial and persevering separation from iniquity, for it is better to lose everything on earth than heaven, and no one knows sanctification without putting kingdom first. Fellow workers must not let a willing self-sacrificing laborer do all sacrificing and wear out strength beyond God's intent by carrying both physical labor and conscientious school and pastoral work, but must protect talents, remove discouragement, and give just equal pay for honest hours and value without selfishness or injustice.
Genuine seeking is a living principle brought into the heart and worked outward in life in Christlike words and deeds after Jesus' likeness, which is Bible religion. It is not merely doing one's best while trusting Jesus to fill the rest, only avoiding marked outrages like murder, stealing and direct lies, nor merely professing while bartering for advantage, for selfish purposes shut out eternal realities and expose profession as pretense which the world quickly discerns. Those who barter for little or large advantage barter away security to the kingdom, valuing it less than Judas valued his Lord, and cannot weave worldly selfishness into character. It is shown by serving from principle rather than cheerful feelings, doing Christ's works with earthly concerns not coming between soul and God, obedience governing affections and actions, with blessings strengthening through adversity, and by sober honest self-examination whether we truly seek, what must be removed to avoid stumbling, and whether faithfulness as stewards searches the heart by the Word, seeking not own righteousness but Christ's, through whose indwelling strength one is accepted for honorable service rather than seeking distinction, praise or effect.
Christ's example of putting first in everything enables obedience unto perfection, as above. Desiring in the heart to seek first removes perplexity and makes the right course plain, giving safety among a multitude of counselors and God's sure promise of wisdom, specifically not building separate interests on the color line but blending with God's chosen workers, for there is no color or caste with God. The things added include both temporal necessities like bread and clothing and spiritual blessings like the bread of life and Christ's righteousness, which God knows and supplies through Jesus from His abundance to those who ask. They include character development, stronger faith, piety, purity, zeal, understanding of the Word, and teaching of true worth of eternal things, given to those who diligently inquire the way of life and what they must do to be saved, who put on Christ and His qualities, represent Him in words and actions, walk humbly, and are taught daily by the Spirit, so the heart no longer reaches covetously for worldly benefits and pleasures.
Making God first means bringing understanding of and obedience to truth into every part of responsible work as the source of strength, even in gospel work and proclamation of the third angel's message, bringing balance by the Spirit, divine aid, rest and peace instead of over-worry and over-taxation, coming as a little child for rich experience where present truth is seen in clear rays bearing on this time. It brings fitness for positions of trust through seeking God's counsel, living to honor Him, growing in grace and blessing others, valuing eternal things above earthly gain, teaching unselfish work and richness toward God rather than narrow money-saving plans in His cause. It is a warning to be patiently taught to families not understanding truth, assuring needed things will be provided. It applies to marriage, calling one destroying his own and wife and daughter's happiness to change unstable short-lived affection for noble elevated sanctified affection that lasts as savor of life unto life. It teaches spiritual prosperity first with far less anxious concern for temporal prosperity, devoting self to kingdom affairs while God minds earthly affairs, for earthly good is not beneath the Father who knows need, frame and fears, and His blessing makes little efficient and far-reaching, worth more than earthly income. Making kingdom first consideration keeps God present in experience.
To seek first is to make God's spiritual kingdom of love, righteousness and peace and Christ's righteousness the first business and first work of life, with heart, mind, soul and strength, in wholehearted obedience to His commands. All these things to be added are food, drink, clothing and whatever else is genuinely needed for livelihood and daily duty, which the heavenly Father knows and will supply to those who put Him first. The command forbids anxious thought about life, body and tomorrow, calling for restful trust in the Creator who gave life and holds the future, while working diligently, faithfully and wisely rather than living in idleness. This priority must rule every thought, plan and work above personal interest, worldly success and selfish gratification, shaping Christlike character, faithful stewardship, and earnest service for the salvation of others in view of judgment and the shortness of time. The promise is sure to those who meet its conditions of faithful, obedient service, bringing God's prospering hand, peace, strength and help for daily duties and coming trials, with godliness carrying promise for the present life and the life to come.
Setting and Context
The command was spoken by Christ in the Sermon on the Mount, given especially to the disciples but in the hearing of the assembled multitude. That sermon presents plain and simple truths of eternal life as a sure foundation for faith and practice. Entrance into the kingdom it proclaims has conditions, and its nature, which is not worldly greatness, is understood through the principles Christ taught and His character.
It concludes the lesson from the lilies and the grass of the field about the Father's care, and is to be read in every lily and every spear of grass. The same lesson is drawn from the birds that do not sow or reap or gather into barns yet are fed by the Father, from the flowers, lilies and grass clothed more gloriously than Solomon in all his glory though they wither in a day, and from the little sparrow upheld and strengthened. No anxious thought can add a cubit to stature, life is more than meat and the body than raiment, and God's power to sustain is further shown by His provision for Israel in the desert and for Elijah in famine. His care for grass and animals shows He will provide still more for human beings made in His image.
The verse belongs to the connected teaching beginning with laying up treasure in heaven rather than on earth where moth and rust corrupt and thieves steal, for where treasure is the heart will be also. It requires keeping the eye single so the whole body is full of light, and refusing divided service because no man can serve God and mammon. It refuses anxious thought about life and the body, about what to eat, drink and wear, and about tomorrow, exposing the dangers and unbelief of the time and calling for walking by faith. Anxious seeking after these things marks the Gentiles, while the Father already knows His children need them.
The lesson is clear and accessible to sincere followers regardless of intellectual ability, for genuine faith and trust in God matter more than learning or talent without sincerity. It contradicted the self-righteous doctrines and practices of the scribes and Pharisees, opposed their misrepresentation of God, and revealed Him as loving and merciful. Failure to walk in the light given through patriarch and prophet was separating the Jewish people from God and bringing darkness upon them in proportion to the light shined on their pathway, while obedience would have prepared them to exhibit character and works of an elevated order. The Jews were urged to set affection on heavenly things and subordinate earthly things to them, but misunderstanding Scripture they rejected Christ as the foretold Messiah and Saviour, whose reception would have led them to honor the Son as they professed to honor the Father.
It was spoken when Christ was young, with His face bright with His Father's presence. It was spoken not only for children and youth but for worried and perplexed men and women whose lives are full of worry and perplexity and who are bowed down with disappointment and sorrow.
Kingdom and Righteousness Defined
The kingdom to be sought first is spiritual, not worldly greatness, earthly glory, or political restoration, but the kingdom of divine grace, a kingdom of love and righteousness and peace. Its nature is understood through the principles Christ taught and through His character, and entrance into it has conditions. Putting God's service first does not mean neglect of needs in this life, for those who put that kingdom above every other interest can rest in God's care and receive every blessing needed for this life, since God attends to each life in detail and longs for His children to reflect His character.
His righteousness to be sought is Christ's righteousness, and seeking God's kingdom and Christ's righteousness is life's first and greatest aim, with every other goal, worldly pleasure, praise, amusement, personal attraction, ability and talent made secondary and devoted to God. It includes the inward adorning of a meek and quiet spirit, even meekness, which makes persons valuable in God's sight, and the heavenly robe of Christ's righteousness which every person must put on who would enter the pearly gates of the New Jerusalem and stand at the marriage feast. Knowing and practicing this requires a new, proper reading of the Bible with submission and obedience that receives spiritual food from it. Genuine religion is hearing with the ears and understanding with the heart unto obedience, as a living principle brought into the heart and worked outward in character after the likeness of Christ, which is the religion of the Bible, not merely doing one's best and trusting Jesus to fill out the rest while only avoiding marked outrageous acts such as murder, stealing, and direct lying. Seeking the kingdom of Heaven and the righteousness of Christ means doing Christ's works, including tender pity and sympathy to the poor, widows and fatherless with the care one would want for one's own family, and self-interest that neglects the needy is contrary to this seeking and bars blessing until recognized.
Only God's righteousness will the Holy Spirit approve and seal, for the Spirit is God's seal of His own righteousness and will never seal sin as righteousness, so putting God's kingdom and His righteousness first is the divinely appointed preparation for receiving the baptism or gift of the Holy Spirit. Christ in everything put God's kingdom and righteousness first, and what He did He commands His followers to do, giving His example so that in His strength they may render the obedience God requires and at last stand perfect before His throne. That seeking first meant oneness with the Father and a life fulfilling the law in continual obedience to God's commands and commandments. God requires walking in the light given through patriarch and prophet and rendering perfect obedience to His plainly revealed will, and failure to walk in that light separates from God and brings darkness in proportion to light shined on the pathway, while improving God-given responsibility through obedience prepares to exhibit character and works of an elevated order in harmony with accumulated light. Eternal interest depends on obedience to the law, so seeking the Lord most earnestly to gain knowledge of Him must be made first business and first consideration with all else secondary, grasped by searching the Scriptures and feeding on the words of Christ which are spirit and life so that knowledge enlarges and expands, and by doing justice and judgment and seeking first to know God and His glory and will before any other thing.
Seeking first is the first work, first business, chief aim and condition of life, on which God's provision rests, requiring heart, mind, soul and strength, wholehearted service, and diligent work to secure the eternal and not neglect preparation for the better life. It means seeking diligently for purity of heart and holiness of life as servants of the heavenly King who died to ransom souls from Satan's claims, showing allegiance by yielding the best and holiest affections and laying at His feet all influence, talents and entire being to work for His glory. It means turning from one's own way, wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts, admitting neglected duties, returning to God for mercy and abundant pardon, asking for pardon and strength to serve Him, enlarging desires, keeping the heart open for Christ's grace, and being ready to receive blessing with heart and mind fully devoted to the Lord's work. It is the very first lesson parents must teach children, taking priority over worry about eating, drinking and wearing, with daily lessons of trust instead of anxious thought for tomorrow.
Seeking shapes the entire character, making one with the Saviour, a partaker of the divine nature, with Christlike character shining as light to church and world. Spiritual growth depends entirely on the Lord as natural growth does, for no one can add to stature by thought and no one can grow by patterning character and mind after another person; each must look to God individually and grow up under God's supervision with God-given ability, forming character after God's likeness with distinct characters rather than all becoming alike. Each has an individual work in working out salvation with fear and trembling through Christ who opened the way by His death, trusting a good God whose mercy endures forever and who knows every trial, temptation, conflict and good endeavor, to perfect Christian character, refuse wrong influence, overcome individually, remove moral defects, and wash robes in the blood of the Lamb. The only safe course is to put God's kingdom and righteousness first rather than be absorbed in earthly temporal concerns and neglect salvation, valuing the plan of salvation and Christ's sacrifice, cooperating with Christ through works pleasing to God, and continually striving for purity, meekness and holiness, without which His sacrifice does not benefit. This calls for wholehearted, earnest, awake, personally interested and zealous effort as for the pearl of great price, putting away anything leading to half-heartedness or hindering overcoming including personal indulgences, lest the opportunity be lost, for by life practice eternal destiny is decided and progress and reward in the future immortal life advance from the seeking done in this world.
Promise of Added Provision
All these things are food, drink, clothing and every other needed temporal thing for livelihood and business, including whatever is genuinely needed or helpful in the way of life. Material necessities can otherwise become snares used to deceive and destroy, so they are to be sought only after God's kingdom and righteousness are made first, with present commitment in the struggle against selfishness and not delay until the future. Spiritual prosperity is to be first, ahead of temporal prosperity, with care for temporal prosperity remaining but with far less anxious concern than for spiritual prosperity. Those who have embraced the truth and love God and keep His commandments will not be left hungry or without clothing.
The heavenly Father already knows the need for food, drink and clothing, and will add all needed things to those who seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness instead of taking thought for them. Putting God's service first does not mean needs in this life will be neglected, for other needs are to be entrusted to God while priority is given to salvation and the character formed through repentance, faith and devotion rather than letting temporal interests displace eternal ones. His care for even the grass and animals shows He will provide still more for human beings, who are made in His image and purchased as His heritage and valued far above flowers, lilies, birds and sparrows. The promise that these necessities will be added rests on trusting the heavenly Father and doing the work with a single aim to glorify God, acting diligently, faithfully, carefully, thriftily and wisely while depending not on the outcome of efforts or on earthly wealth but on God's promise, using entrusted money to sustain God's work and help others and thereby laying up lasting treasure in heaven.
God's provision may come amid poverty or wealth, sickness or health, and simplicity or wisdom, for ordinary life is to be lived for God's glory and under the Father's will. Its promise directs hope toward heaven and enduring riches reserved there for those who diligently seek eternal life, rather than toward passing earthly advantages which cannot compare with them. Making God's kingdom and righteousness supreme brings freedom from the burdens of worldly ambition and worry and trust in God's care for other needs, for He sees the end from the beginning and has ways to bring relief that cannot be foreseen, and godliness so lived carries promise for both present life and the life to come in a life of true godliness and preparation for eternal life.
God's power to sustain is illustrated by the provision given to Israel in the desert and to Elijah during famine. It is illustrated by the Father feeding the birds of the air that do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and by His clothing the lilies and grass of the field that withers in a day more gloriously than Solomon in all his glory, and by His upholding and strengthening His weakest child and caring for the little sparrow. Those who give up earthly security and use possessions to support God's work can trust that God will provide for them even in famine, so that bread and water will be sure. Nothing can do real good without the blessing of God, and what God blesses is blessed, so the little with the blessing of God is more efficient and extends farther, and grace will make a little go a great ways, and when God smiles upon efforts it is worth more than any earthly income.
The promise is true, sure and precious from Christ who means every word He says, and it does not fail. On condition of seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness first, living up to light given, and serving God faithfully and obediently with willing, cheerful hearts, making eternal things the first business and temporal things secondary, God will work for His children and His blessing and prospering hand will attend them, and they will receive the peace of Christ in their hearts. That priority, making God first, last and best in every thought, plan and work with obedience as first duty, brings peace, contentment, wisdom the world cannot give or take away, quietness and satisfaction of mind, with health, strength and healing influence associated with the blessing. Its blessing is experienced by those who diligently seek God and make practical application by complying with its conditions and then believing, doing duty with an eye single to the glory of God and filling time working out God's plan, since time and talents belong to the Lord and no one can be independent of God's Spirit, will, providences and plans. If things of this life are made first and eternal things secondary, if sacred things are neglected and God's claims are met with indifference and self-chosen courses, the promise is not realized and God leaves people to their own judgment, and the blessings resting on the faithful and obedient cannot be expected.
Trust Without Anxiety
The command forbids anxious thought about life, the body, and tomorrow, requiring that the kingdom of God and His righteousness be put first while food, drink, clothing and all other needed things are entrusted to the heavenly Father. Together with the following command not to take thought for the morrow, it calls for giving priority to salvation and to character formed through repentance, faith and devotion, rather than letting temporal interests displace eternal ones. No anxious thought can add a cubit to stature, for life is more than meat and the body than raiment, and the Father who feeds the birds that do not sow or reap or gather into barns and who clothes the lilies and grass of the field more gloriously than Solomon in all his glory already knows His children need these things. This leaves no room for the excuse that children and domestic duties leave no time for studying the Word and taking up God-given responsibilities, since children properly managed become a help and not a hindrance. It requires laying up treasure in heaven rather than on earth where moth and rust corrupt and thieves steal, keeping the eye single so the whole body is full of light, and refusing divided service because no man can serve God and mammon. In the Sabbath setting these lessons from the lilies and other works of nature direct the mind away from anxious thoughts about daily needs toward God and His gifts, calling also for a character reflecting Christ's beauty, who knows poverty and hardship and can use those who have means to provide for people in need.
Anxious seeking after what to eat, drink or wear marks the Gentiles, while God's children are to behold His works to enlarge their views of His goodness and leave cares in His hands. Care is proportionate to place in creation, so beings created in His image and purchased as His heritage are valued far above flowers, birds and the little sparrow, every human being having a page in the volume of providence with the events of life history and never being absent for a moment from the mind of God. Trust in this care frees from undue anxiety and brings rest of soul, because the Father sustains all creation and tenderly watches each person in daily work, prayer, rest and need. The Creator who gave life and made the body knows the need for food and clothing and is not unmindful of it, and the growth of the flowers testifies to His power and care, giving reason to trust Him who lovingly holds the future. Acknowledging God as the giver of rain, sunshine and every blessing, giving thanks to Him, and faithfully doing daily duties allow people to trust Him for tomorrow and avoid the anxious care that brings unhappiness. Rather than making earthly concerns central, believers are to wait upon Christ, turn their minds to God's paradise and the riches and glory promised to the saints, and learn here to praise God as they will in heaven.
Questioning how to live and support family when obeying Christ's call, and imagining He will not sustain in trial of faith, is unbelief and distrust that dishonors Him. The Lord opens the way for those who serve Him fully and astonishes them with His providences, and with seeking first belongs taking no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for itself. Such distrust loses precious revealings of His Spirit and makes it impossible for God to multiply blessing and grace, while service rendered in perfect faith and love is rewarded with the richest revealing of His grace. Deliberately deciding to go contrary to the word spoken by Jesus Christ takes a person away from God, refuses to be a follower of Jesus Christ, changes leaders to the great leader of apostasy, lays up treasure for self instead of being rich toward God, and removes all reason to expect to be religiously inclined. Keeping it belongs with believing in the Son for everlasting life as the plain condition Christ gives.
The promise does not teach idleness or neglecting ordinary work, property, debts or family needs, and using the surrounding teaching about earthly concerns to justify stopping work in order to devote self wholly to spiritual things is a misuse of Scripture. In work and business people are to act diligently, faithfully, carefully, thriftily and wisely while depending not on the outcome of efforts or on financial resources but on God's promise. Trusting God makes it safe not to strain health or become anxious about acquiring property or paying debts, for when the kingdom and righteousness are made the first concern God promises to provide the things needed. Constant, wearing work that sacrifices religious interests for profit cannot secure lasting good. Simple, earnest faith and persevering, trusting prayer make even humble daily work sacred, and steadfast integrity and a holy life honor God in every station. God's power to sustain in such faithful labor is illustrated by provision for Israel in the desert and for Elijah during famine.
First in Daily Life
God's kingdom and his righteousness must be put first, made life's first and greatest aim, with every other goal secondary and no worldly interest or plan allowed to absorb the time and attention owed to God. They are to be first, last and best in every thought, plan and work, with obedience as the first duty, eternal matters given their proper importance, direction sought from God, and sacred responsibilities carried out in a spiritual rather than worldly spirit. The pursuit of worldly pleasures, praise, amusement, personal attractions, abilities and talents must not displace this priority, but those gifts are to be devoted to God, with eternity in view and concern for eternal welfare and heavenly things never given second place. Enjoying divine favor depends on meeting this condition, and those who meet it receive the promise that needed things will be provided, with peace, contentment and wisdom that the world cannot give or take away.
In business this priority requires Christian principles of justice and honesty, refusing to set aside right principles for selfish gain, sharp practice, taking advantage of others, fraud, speculation, serving mammon, or chasing hoped-for profits at the cost of time, money and mounting debt. Financial gain for God's work cannot justify wrong dealing, and overwork for temporal matters that crowds out godliness, Bible truth and service, leaving God's work weak and neglected, is unfaithfulness to the trust committed. True success depends on faithful adherence to right even when custom or financial pressure seems to make dishonest practices necessary, for one who puts love of gain first allows cupidity to control the whole person until reason is overborne and the soul becomes enslaved and laid on the altar of mammon. Gain bought at the cost of the soul brings ruin, and such a person does not seek God first and cannot claim the promise that needed things will be added.
In dress, food and use of means the same priority brings freedom from anxiety about clothing, food and drink, trusting that the heavenly Father knows these needs and will clothe and feed his children far more surely than he clothes the grass of the field. These necessities are not to become the chief aim of life or be pursued in excess, and anxious concern and worldly self-adornment that consume time needed for God's work are to be rejected in favor of seeking the grace of the Holy Spirit and valuing a meek and quiet spirit. Spending the Lord's entrusted time, money and strength on extravagant dress, needless display and indulgent appetite wastes resources, weakens health, harms the body, and makes it impossible to offer the body as a living sacrifice. Such excess is a marked sin of the last days and a sign of Christ's soon coming.
In family life parents are to make God's kingdom and righteousness their first concern and first business, the very first lesson to teach children, taking priority over worry about what to eat, drink and wear and over anxious thought for tomorrow, with assurance that the Father who knows all these needs will add all temporal things and teach daily lessons of trust. This means obeying Christ, living simply, avoiding needless cares, outward display, amusement, visiting and gossip, and giving time to children's instruction, temperance, obedience, Scripture teaching and the establishment of a prayer altar with God's help sought to teach wisely. Lack of time from children and domestic duties is no excuse for neglecting study of the Word and God-given responsibilities, since children properly managed become a help and not a hindrance. Families who do not understand the truth are to be patiently taught this warning and lesson.
In education putting God's kingdom and righteousness first is the fundamental principle of true education, meaning knowledge of God and Christ comes before intellectual achievement, worldly ambition, politics, science, literature, painting, music and studies that do not lead to eternal life. Education is not to be selfish or aim at worldly success and selfish ambition, pride or recognition, but to honor and serve God, with both book study and practical work directed to that object through study of God's word, living connection with God and exercise of the better traits of character, producing results as lasting as eternity. Students who put study first and neglect prayer, Bible study and religious duties neglect the foundation of true knowledge, while making God their strength and learning to know him lays the foundation for thorough education and forms characters fit for service in this life and for immortal life. Those who put God first become co-workers with him, and the other things they need are added to them.
The same priority requires remaining at camp meeting for spiritual blessing rather than leaving for farm and household concerns, setting temporal interests aside in faith in God's promise and leaving consequences with him. It directs the mind on the Sabbath away from anxious thoughts about daily needs toward God and his gifts, with trust replacing worry about food, drink and clothing because the Father knows these needs, as the lilies and other works of nature teach confidence in his care. In building a sanitarium the first work is seeking God's kingdom and righteousness, making conversion, Christlike character and service to God primary and laying the foundation in Jesus Christ. This requires individual new birth able to represent the new life in character, with knowledge of God and Jesus Christ as eternal life of primary importance, lamps trimmed and burning, honest self-searching about loving God with heart, soul, mind and strength, entrance into Christ's fold, faith working by love purifying the soul, and word, practice and disposition bearing the Bible test with fragrant, regenerated influence in daily life. In school work it means giving priority to religious responsibilities rather than overburdening workers with competing labor until they have no strength for Sabbath service, and never postponing spiritual work for lack of means or financial trouble.
Seeking first enables remaining true to God rather than compromising with false religion, with God able to uphold, honor and provide for what is needed. A Christian who puts God's kingdom and righteousness first can remain faithful and witness even in hostile surroundings, pressure, ridicule or possible loss of an employer's favor, since difficult circumstances and obstacles do not excuse neglecting God's claims or disobedience for one determined to seek him. Strength comes through prayer and study of the Word to pursue virtue and turn from vice, with help and grace sufficient for every circumstance promised to those who turn to him for aid. True wisdom refuses to follow political agitators or become absorbed in worldly political parties, mixed up with political questions, strife, attachments and working partnerships with unbelievers, the disloyal and idolaters, but stands under God's colors in saving the soul as the greatest study and first work, doing the work God has given to each.
Character Service and Stewardship
Seeking first with heart, mind, soul and strength is the first work on which provision rests, and it shapes the entire character into Christlikeness, oneness with the Saviour, and partaking of the divine nature that shines as light to church and world. It requires looking to Jesus for strength beyond one's own and depending on His righteousness for salvation, receiving Him by faith as personal Saviour, escaping the corruption in the world through lust, breaking habits that lead to earthly sensual actions, and losing taste for trifling conversation. It means trusting God who knows every trial, temptation, conflict and good endeavor, for God is good and His mercy endures forever, and it means seeking to perfect Christian character, refusing to be turned in the wrong direction, and overcoming individually, each doing his own work in working out salvation with fear and trembling through Christ who opened the way by His death, so that moral defects are removed and robes washed in the blood of the Lamb. It brings Christian consistency in every action, with all other needed things added.
It brings contentment for those tempted to be determined to be rich, and yielding of the will to the control of the Holy Spirit. It puts away strife for place and position, reaching for honor and recognition, hasty temper, cruel speech, unkind thought, exalting one and condemning another, and elbowing a fellow worker to make room for personal plans. Instead the greatest desire becomes to work in just the place God has assigned where He can look with approval, revealing fruits of righteousness in right words that bless and encourage, honoring Christ at every step by obedience to the word of truth. It means giving the soul's interests priority over business and selfish pursuits, living an ordered godly life, denying self to honor God and win others, cultivating religious faculties and keeping the soul in the love of God through active interest in religious service and work in the church. Without this earnest resolute aim beyond mere desires and good intentions, Christians lose convincing power with unbelievers, prayer meetings lack the Spirit's presence, and believers remain spiritually stunted, immature, unable to understand godliness or know Christ personally.
It means personal interest must not come first but the kingdom and righteousness first in all pursuits of life, with diligent work to secure the eternal, purity of heart and holiness of life, and service as servants of the heavenly King who died to ransom souls from Satan's claims. It means showing allegiance by yielding the best and holiest affections and laying at His feet all influence, talents and entire being to work for His glory, devoting to His service all ingenuity, judgment, power to execute, reasoning ability, aptitude and sharp thinking, which all come from God. It requires considering oneself the Lord's property by creation and redemption, giving the Lord what is due Him, standing as faithful soldiers under Christ's banner, employing every gift and endowment in actual service, bearing a share of burdens so prosperity may attend gospel preaching, not laying up treasures on earth, and entering the strait narrow way with each faithfully stewarding his own talent himself. It calls for making heaven and God's glory the best and whole interest first above every other object, rising in Christ's spirit and mind with firm purpose, separating from worldly influences, breaking every worldly link, laying aside every weight with no reserve, undercurrent, secondary object, worldly motive or selfish aim, wearing the armor of righteousness and being absolutely for Christ as He is for His people before God, with Christ abiding in the heart as co-workers in saving souls. It means giving God the first fruits of life — love, faith, strength, time, talents, best hours and best energies — putting the Redeemer's interests before self or any other, centering life round this point, which leads to greater nobility and liberality.
It means God's work and cause deserve first consideration in partnership with God, with strongest efforts directed to eternal things God values through Christ's sacrifice, rather than being ruled by fear of lacking food or clothing. Those entrusted with money, abilities and resources are to use them to sustain God's work, help others, share truth and win people to it, thereby laying lasting treasure in heaven and securing eternal riches rather than relying on earthly wealth or fastening money in property. It means giving self and resources to God's work in self-denying, self-sacrificing obedience in response to what Christ has done, not letting worldly interests, household or business cares, and plans absorb time and attention, with a wide field for doing good whose words and deeds lead others to Jesus. It includes meeting necessities of the cause, sustaining missions, giving tithes and offerings, and helping the poor, widows and fatherless, rather than burying talents.
It calls for surrendering will and way to the Lord and doing one's work in any vocation according to His will, refusing entanglement in worldly pursuits and faithfully carrying out appointed work. The work dearest to Christ is drawing souls to Him by sharing light, truth and warning, with increased efforts to save sinners from error shown through faithful work and right example. It means going to needy places with earnest, efficient, continuous labor to hold up truth in cities and villages where thousands do not know the shortness of time, sustaining oneself by one's own labor while doing missionary work, with God's blessing following that self-denying move, and being in earnest to communicate freely received light and grace. Heeding it with eternal happiness in view makes one a child of God and living example, careful in words and actions and devoted to seeking and saving the lost, bent on doing good to all within reach and wanting part in every good work for upbuilding Christ's kingdom, following Him who became poor and died to give eternal riches. The more is done the more is seen to do, with growing earnestness, and to such seekers are added character development, stronger faith, steadier zeal, increase of piety, purity and holy zeal, intensified love for God, truth and perishing souls, fervor, untiring diligence, childlike devotion in kindness and service, and many souls saved.
It contains lessons still not fully learned that call for more diligent study of Scripture, ordering life by God's truth found in His word. Scripture is to be received not as make-believe but as truth of the living God, foundation of faith and assurance of hope of eternal life in heaven's kingdom. It means recognizing every gift as from Him and letting gratitude fill the heart until a heavenly atmosphere surrounds the soul. Knowing and practicing His righteousness requires new proper Bible reading with submission and obedience that receives spiritual food, seeking the heavenly adorning of Christ's robe required to enter the New Jerusalem. Putting kingdom and righteousness first is the divinely appointed preparation for baptism of the Holy Spirit, for only God's righteousness will the Spirit approve and seal, since the Spirit is God's seal of His own righteousness and will never seal sin as righteousness. It means God's people everywhere repenting, converting, humbling themselves, making purification of His Spirit the first work to be refined and cleansed from wood, hay and stubble, bringing great reformation with all needful things added.
It teaches seeking eternal life diligently with confidence God will provide all essential for good, directing hope to heaven and enduring riches rather than passing earthly advantages. Seeking kingdom and righteousness is life's first and greatest aim with every other goal secondary, giving eternal matters proper importance, looking to God for direction, and doing sacred responsibilities in a spiritual not worldly spirit. Worldly pleasures, praise, amusement, attractions, abilities and talents must not displace this priority but be devoted to God, turning life's remnant to account for Him, fleeing to the Stronghold crying for eternal life with unprejudiced heart viewing life in light of eternity. The urgency rests on judgment, for pride must not throw back reproof, God has claims that cannot be released, each must render account for every day, the daily record passes to God, the recording angel testifies, and the life-picture is faithfully made to be met again, with sealing and Christ's coming near and the soul of infinite worth. Heaven must be everything, pursued as the pearl of great price with resolute self-denying persevering effort to separate from sin, perfect holiness in fear of God, be faithful in duties, accept Christ's freely presented mercies, and need the Light of life every moment to the end of the race.
Even when obedience appears likely to cut off support, God's people must not depart from His will to secure food or preserve life but obey His commands and trust His promises, relying on Him to provide what is needed. When trials or losses over temporal needs threaten, earthly things must not govern or lead to disobedience, and those sanctified through truth let nothing come between them and duty even under reproach or suffering. Remaining true rather than compromising with false religion allows God to uphold, honor and supply. Christ Himself in everything put kingdom and righteousness first, being one with the Father, fulfilling the law in continual obedience, and what He did He commands followers to do, enabling them in His strength to render required obedience and at last stand perfect before the throne.
Neglect through backsliding, living for selfish interest and merely the present, being swallowed in worldly cares, letting business absorb mind, time, interest and strength, or self-absorption, shuts the Saviour from mind and heart, crowds God's word out, leaves destitute of God's Spirit, neglects heavenly things, weakens devotion, hinders growth in grace, and leaves churches languishing and crippled. It calls for repentance without delay, change of course, wholehearted return, humbling soul before God, readiness to sacrifice anything rather than lose favor, cultivating love for devotion, practicing self-denial and persevering separation from iniquity, for it is better to lose everything on earth than heaven, and no one knows sanctification without putting kingdom first. Fellow workers must not let a willing self-sacrificing laborer do all sacrificing and wear out strength beyond God's intent by carrying both physical labor and conscientious school and pastoral work, but must protect talents, remove discouragement, and give just equal pay for honest hours and value without selfishness or injustice.
Genuine seeking is a living principle brought into the heart and worked outward in life in Christlike words and deeds after Jesus' likeness, which is Bible religion. It is not merely doing one's best while trusting Jesus to fill the rest, only avoiding marked outrages like murder, stealing and direct lies, nor merely professing while bartering for advantage, for selfish purposes shut out eternal realities and expose profession as pretense which the world quickly discerns. Those who barter for little or large advantage barter away security to the kingdom, valuing it less than Judas valued his Lord, and cannot weave worldly selfishness into character. It is shown by serving from principle rather than cheerful feelings, doing Christ's works with earthly concerns not coming between soul and God, obedience governing affections and actions, with blessings strengthening through adversity, and by sober honest self-examination whether we truly seek, what must be removed to avoid stumbling, and whether faithfulness as stewards searches the heart by the Word, seeking not own righteousness but Christ's, through whose indwelling strength one is accepted for honorable service rather than seeking distinction, praise or effect.
Christ's example of putting first in everything enables obedience unto perfection, as above. Desiring in the heart to seek first removes perplexity and makes the right course plain, giving safety among a multitude of counselors and God's sure promise of wisdom, specifically not building separate interests on the color line but blending with God's chosen workers, for there is no color or caste with God. The things added include both temporal necessities like bread and clothing and spiritual blessings like the bread of life and Christ's righteousness, which God knows and supplies through Jesus from His abundance to those who ask. They include character development, stronger faith, piety, purity, zeal, understanding of the Word, and teaching of true worth of eternal things, given to those who diligently inquire the way of life and what they must do to be saved, who put on Christ and His qualities, represent Him in words and actions, walk humbly, and are taught daily by the Spirit, so the heart no longer reaches covetously for worldly benefits and pleasures.
Making God first means bringing understanding of and obedience to truth into every part of responsible work as the source of strength, even in gospel work and proclamation of the third angel's message, bringing balance by the Spirit, divine aid, rest and peace instead of over-worry and over-taxation, coming as a little child for rich experience where present truth is seen in clear rays bearing on this time. It brings fitness for positions of trust through seeking God's counsel, living to honor Him, growing in grace and blessing others, valuing eternal things above earthly gain, teaching unselfish work and richness toward God rather than narrow money-saving plans in His cause. It is a warning to be patiently taught to families not understanding truth, assuring needed things will be provided. It applies to marriage, calling one destroying his own and wife and daughter's happiness to change unstable short-lived affection for noble elevated sanctified affection that lasts as savor of life unto life. It teaches spiritual prosperity first with far less anxious concern for temporal prosperity, devoting self to kingdom affairs while God minds earthly affairs, for earthly good is not beneath the Father who knows need, frame and fears, and His blessing makes little efficient and far-reaching, worth more than earthly income. Making kingdom first consideration keeps God present in experience.