Seeking
First the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness!
"Do
not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we
drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things
the Gentiles seek. 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. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow" Matthew 6:31-34.
Jesus
was on a mountain with His disciples teaching them many things
about the kingdom of God. He is telling them that "No
one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one
and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and
despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon" Ibid.
6:24.
What
is this mammon referred to by Jesus? Mammon is transliterated
from the Aramaic, Mamon or mamona', meaning "wealth"
of every kind, wealth personified, wealth becoming more important
to us in life than a relationship with our Creator.
Jesus
is instructing His followers to not divide their loyalties
between opposing influences. He is instructing us to seek
God and His righteousness first and foremost in life; before
anything else.
The Lord
has instructed His people, those who have been willing to
listen to His Word, throughout all ages. And anything that
separates us from Him, including mammon, separates us from
the Source of eternal life. Wealth has many values, but it
is not more important to us than the Source of our life and
being.
It is
the Source of life that shares His values with us that provide
more fulfillment in this life and instructs us in preparation
for the life to come; and the life to come is made available
only to those who put their faith and trust in God and seek
the relationship that He is willing to share with them (John
1:1-3; 3:15-17; 10:10, 28; 17:3; Romans 6:23).
When
our loyalties are divided we miss out on the fullness of what
out Creator has to offer us. When we serve more than one master,
there are compromises and conflict… The story of Balaam
in the old testament, (Numbers 23, 24 and 31:15, 16), is an
example of a man whose loyalties were divided. Jesus Himself
referred to Balaam's infidelity in Revelation 2:14.
God's
promises to those who put their faith and trust in Him are
many:
"Trust
in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your
paths" Proverbs 3:5, 6.
"There
is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives him
understanding" Job 32:8.
"Through
Your precepts I get understanding" Psalm 119:104.
"Your
ears shall hear a word behind you saying, 'This is the way,
walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever
you turn to the left" Isaiah 30:21.
"My
son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest
His correction; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just
as a father the son in whom he delights" Proverbs 3:11,
12.
Therefore
do not worry about tomorrow for you are loved by your heavenly
Father! He knows your needs.
May God
bless you as you walk with the One who loves you supremely!
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