What does Matthew 6:33 teach?

Matthew 6:33 is a pivotal verse within the Sermon on the Mount, a collection of teachings by Jesus that spans three chapters (Matthew 5-7) and encapsulates the essence of His moral and ethical teachings. The verse reads, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (NIV). This passage is rich with theological significance and offers profound insights into the priorities and promises of the Christian life.

To fully understand what Matthew 6:33 teaches, it is essential to consider its context within the Sermon on the Mount. In the preceding verses, Jesus addresses the common human anxieties about material needs—what we will eat, drink, and wear (Matthew 6:25-32). He reassures His listeners that God, who takes care of the birds of the air and the flowers of the field, will certainly take care of His people. The key issue here is one of trust and priority. Jesus is not dismissing the importance of these needs but is instead redirecting our focus toward something infinitely more significant: the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Seeking the Kingdom of God

When Jesus instructs us to "seek first his kingdom," He is calling us to prioritize God's reign and rule in our lives. The kingdom of God is not merely a future reality but a present one, manifesting wherever God's will is done. This entails a life of obedience, surrender, and devotion to God's purposes. The kingdom of God is characterized by justice, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). To seek God's kingdom first means to align our lives with these values, making them the guiding principles of our daily actions and decisions.

The concept of the kingdom of God was central to Jesus' ministry. He began His public ministry with the proclamation, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near" (Matthew 4:17). Throughout His teachings, Jesus emphasized that the kingdom of God is not about external observances or political power but about a transformed heart and life. In seeking the kingdom first, we are called to embody the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12), to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16), and to live out the radical love and forgiveness that Jesus exemplified.

Pursuing His Righteousness

The second part of Matthew 6:33, "and his righteousness," complements the call to seek God's kingdom. Righteousness in this context refers to a right relationship with God and with others, characterized by integrity, justice, and moral uprightness. It is not merely about following rules but about embodying the character of God. Jesus criticizes the superficial righteousness of the Pharisees and religious leaders, who focused on external compliance while neglecting the weightier matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23).

To pursue God's righteousness means to cultivate a heart that reflects His love and holiness. This involves a continual process of repentance, transformation, and growth in Christlikeness. The Apostle Paul echoes this in his letters, urging believers to "put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:24). It is a call to live out the ethical teachings of Jesus, such as loving our enemies, giving to the needy, and practicing sincere prayer and fasting (Matthew 6:1-18).

The Promise of Provision

The latter part of Matthew 6:33 contains a remarkable promise: "and all these things will be given to you as well." Jesus assures us that when we prioritize God's kingdom and righteousness, our material needs will be met. This is not a promise of wealth or prosperity but of sufficiency. God, who knows our needs even before we ask (Matthew 6:8), is faithful to provide for us.

This promise invites us to trust in God's providence and to relinquish our anxieties about the future. It echoes the teachings of the Old Testament, where God consistently provided for His people. For instance, in the wilderness, God provided manna for the Israelites (Exodus 16), and in the Psalms, David declares, "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing" (Psalm 23:1). Jesus' assurance in Matthew 6:33 is a call to live with a posture of faith, trusting that God will take care of our needs as we devote ourselves to His purposes.

Living Out Matthew 6:33

Applying Matthew 6:33 to our lives involves a radical reorientation of our priorities. In a culture that often values material success and self-sufficiency, Jesus' teaching challenges us to place God's kingdom and righteousness at the center of our lives. This may involve making difficult choices, such as prioritizing time for prayer and Scripture over other activities, making ethical decisions in our workplaces, and using our resources to serve others rather than accumulating wealth for ourselves.

Moreover, seeking God's kingdom first is not a solitary endeavor but a communal one. As members of the body of Christ, we are called to support and encourage one another in this pursuit. The early church exemplified this communal aspect, as they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42). They shared their possessions and ensured that no one among them was in need (Acts 4:32-35). In our contemporary context, this might translate into active participation in a faith community, mutual accountability, and collective efforts to address social injustices.

Conclusion

In summary, Matthew 6:33 teaches us to prioritize God's kingdom and righteousness above all else. It calls us to a life of trust, obedience, and transformation, assuring us that our material needs will be met as we seek God's purposes. This verse invites us to reorient our lives around the values of the kingdom, to cultivate a heart of righteousness, and to trust in God's faithful provision. By living out this teaching, we not only experience the fullness of life that Jesus promised (John 10:10) but also become instruments of God's kingdom on earth, reflecting His love and justice to a world in need.