“…For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:32-33

Added In

There is a concept in mathematics called addition. “Adding” was the first approach to math we were taught in school, and it became the easiest thing for most of us to accomplish. The thing about “adding” is that you first must have “something there” to add to. The very idea of “adding” implies the prior existence of something.

The verses just prior to today’s Scripture tell about all kinds of things we could spend our day worrying about: clothing choices, provision of daily needs, our appearance, and other physical concerns. We are exhorted to NOT WORRY because these things shall be ADDED to our lives.

God says He will ADD what we need. So what must be already in us? It is the ongoing habit or lifestyle of seeking the things of the kingdom. Seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness is the FIRST thing, the habitual thing. The stuff we worry about is secondary.

Repeat after me:

  • The most important thing in life is to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
  • A less important thing is to seek all the stuff we need.

To put it another way, we are to set our minds on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:2).

We can practice this. What is important to God, as revealed in His Word, should be important to us. We can think on those things. We can become aware of His presence in our life. We can make moral, godly, righteous choices. We can show purity and modesty in dress and speech.

We won’t do it perfectly, but we can seek it. Strive after it. Make it a priority. The Holy Spirit will help us live a life that pleases the Father.

God wants to bless us. He wants to add the secondary things. But first we must take on our own responsibility—seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. It’s a way to check our own hearts, because seeking the things of God before seeking our own needs and wants will prove our priorities.

“Show us throughout our day the ways we can seek Your kingdom and Your righteousness. We know that You already know what we need, and we know You want to give it to us. We pray for the will to do Your will. Amen.”