Seeking the Kingdom of God First in Priorities

The concept of seeking the Kingdom of God first in one's priorities is rooted in Jesus's teaching in the Gospels. Matthew 6:33 states, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be ministred vnto you" ^[1]. This verse encapsulates a central tenet of Christian discipleship, emphasizing a primary focus on God's reign and moral order above all other concerns.

To "seek the kingdom of God" involves adopting God's value system, pursuing His purpose in the world, and submitting to His authority ^[6]. This pursuit is not a passive endeavor but requires diligence and decision ^{[4, 5]}. It includes seeking God's name, His word, His face, His strength, and His commandments ^[3]. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, suggests that "the kingdom of God" can refer to the Gospel and its ministration, which should be diligently sought, constantly attended to, and preferred over earthly necessities like food, clothing, or riches ^[7]. Alternatively, it can signify the kingdom of glory, prepared by God, for which He makes His people ready ^[7].

The phrase "and his righteousness" in Matthew 6:33 is often interpreted as seeking the righteousness that God provides and demands ^[7]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary highlights this verse as a comprehensive directive for the right state of heart concerning both heavenly and earthly matters, encompassing the entire message of Jesus's sermon ^[9]. The call to seek God's kingdom and righteousness is presented as a foundational principle, with the promise that "all these things" – referring to material needs – "shall be added unto you" ^{[1, 8]}. This implies that when spiritual priorities are correctly ordered, God will provide for temporal needs ^[8].

The broader biblical witness supports this prioritization. The "affections" of believers should be supremely set upon God, His commandments, His house and worship, and His people ^[2]. Christ Himself claims the first place in these affections, as seen in passages like Matthew 10:37 and Luke 14:26 ^[2]. Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist/Puritan commentator, emphasizes that believers, having "risen with Christ," should set their hearts on heaven and detach them from the world ^[12]. This aligns with the instruction to seek "heavenly things" (Colossians 3:1-2) ^[2].

The concept of "seeking God" is commanded in scripture (Isaiah 55:6; Matthew 7:7) and involves various aspects, such as seeking Him by prayer, in His house, and immediately ^[3]. Diligence is required in seeking God, obeying Him, hearkening to Him, striving for perfection, cultivating Christian graces, and guarding against defilement ^[4]. This pursuit demands decision, opposing a "divided service" or "double-mindedness" ^[5].

The "kingdom of God" is not merely a future hope but also a present reality. The Apostle Paul states that "the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power" (1 Corinthians 4:20), indicating its active presence and influence in the lives of believers ^[10]. Tyndale House notes that the Kingdom of God was central to Jesus's teaching (Mark 1:15) ^[11]. This kingdom is characterized by God's special concern for the poor, as reflected in the Old Testament and the ministries of Jesus and Paul ^[11].

Sources

Matthew “Matthew 6:33 (Geneva1599) — But seeke ye first the kingdome of God, and his righteousnesse, and all these things shall be ministred vnto you.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affections, The — Should be supremely set upon God -- De 6:3; Mr 12:30. Should be set Upon the commandments of God. -- Ps 19:8-10; 119:20,97,103,167. Upon the house and worship of God. -- 1Ch 29:3; Ps 26:8; 27:4; 84:1,2. Upon the people of God. -- Ps 16:3; Ro 12:10; 2Co 7:13-15; 1Th 2:8. Upon heavenly things. -- Col 3:1,2. Should be zealously engaged for God -- Ps 69:9; 119:139; Ga 4:18. Christ claims the first place in -- Mt 10:37; Lu 14:26. Enkindled by communion with Christ -- Lu 24:32. Blessedness of making God the object of -- Ps 91:14. Should not grow cold -- P”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Seeking God — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7. Includes seeking His Name. -- Ps 83:16. His word. -- Isa 34:16. His face. -- Ps 27:8; 105:4. His strength. -- 1Ch 16:11; Ps 105:4. His commandments. -- 1Ch 28:8; Mal 2:7. His precepts. -- Ps 119:45,94. His kingdom. -- Mt 6:33; Lu 12:31. His righteousness. -- Mt 6:33. Christ. -- Mal 3:1; Lu 2:15,16. Honour which comes from him. -- Joh 5:44. Justification by Christ. -- Ga 2:16,17. The city which God has prepared. -- Heb 11:10,16; 13:14. By prayer -- Job 8:5; Da 9:3. In his house -- De 12:5; Ps 27:4. Should be Immediate. -- H”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Decision — Necessary to the service of God -- Lu 9:62. Exhortations to -- Jos 24:14,15. Exhibited in Seeking God with the heart. -- 2Ch 15:12. Keeping the commandments of God. -- Ne 10:29. Being on the Lord's side. -- Ex 32:26. Following God fully. -- Nu 14:24; 32:12; Jos 14:8. Serving God. -- Isa 56:6. Loving God perfectly. -- De 6:5. Blessedness of. -- Jos 1:7. Opposed to A divided service. -- Mt 6:24. Double-mindedness. -- Jas 1:8. Halting between two opinions. -- 1Ki 18:21. Turning to the right or left. -- De 5:32. Not setting the heart aright. -- Ps 78:8,37. Exe”
Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 12:31: 12:31 Seek the Kingdom of God: Adopt God’s value system, pursue his purpose in the world, and submit to his authority.”
Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 6:32: But seek first the kingdom of God,.... Meaning either the Gospel, and the ministration of it; in which sense this phrase is often used, see Mat 21:43 and which is diligently to be sought after, and into; to be constantly attended on, and to be preferred to our necessary food, to raiment, or riches, or any enjoyment of life: or else the kingdom of glory, which is prepared by God, and is his gift; for which he makes his people meet here, and will introduce them into it hereafter. And his righteousness; the righteousness of God, which is revealed in the Gospel, and is”
Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 12:31: But rather seek ye the kingdom of God,.... The Vulgate Latin version adds, "first", as also, "and his righteousness", as in Mat 6:33 and the Ethiopic version reads, "seek his kingdom and righteousness" meaning either the grace of God, which is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, Rom 14:17 or the heavenly glory; unless the Gospel, and the dispensation of it, which is the Messiah's kingdom, and which was then just ushering in, should rather be intended. And all these things shall be added unto you; food and raiment, which are as much”
Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 6:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you--This is the great summing up. Strictly speaking, it has to do only with the subject of the present section--the right state of the heart with reference to heavenly trod earthly things; but being couched in the form of a brief general directory, it is so comprehensive in its grasp as to embrace the whole subject of this discourse. And, as if to make this the more evident, the two keynotes of this great sermon seem purposely struck in it--"the KING”
1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 4:20: For the kingdom of God,.... By "the kingdom of God" is not meant the kingdom of heaven, or the ultimate glory and happiness of the saints; though that is a kingdom prepared by God, which he gives to his children, calls them to by his grace, and will give them an abundant entrance into, when time shall be no more with them; and though that is not attained to "in", or "by word", by mere talk and profession; not everyone that says Lord, Lord, shall enter into it; or that professes the name of Christ, and prophesies in it; but "in" or "by power"; through the power ”
James (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on James 2:5: 2:5 Listen to me: Employing this rhetorical device for emphasis (see Deut 6:3; Amos 3:1; Matt 13:18; Acts 15:13), James presents his argument against favoring the rich. • Hasn’t God chosen the poor? God’s special concern for the poor is reflected in the Old Testament (Exod 23:11; 1 Sam 2:8; Ps 12:5) and in the ministries of Jesus and Paul (Luke 4:18; 6:20; 1 Cor 1:26-28). This concern was emphasized by the Jerusalem church (Gal 2:9-10), of which James was the leader. • inherit the Kingdom: The Kingdom of God was central to the teaching of Jesus (Matt 12:8; Mark 1:15”
Colossians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Colossians 3:1: The apostle, having described our privileges by Christ in the former part of the epistle, and our discharge from the yoke of the ceremonial law, comes here to press upon us our duty as inferred thence. Though we are made free from the obligation of the ceremonial law, it does not therefore follow that we may live as we list. We must walk the more closely with God in all the instances of evangelical obedience. He begins with exhorting them to set their hearts on heaven, and take them off from this world: If you then have risen with Christ. It is our privilege th”

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