Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
One of the responsibilities of parenthood is providing for your family — making sure that there is food on the table, shelter over your head, money for the children’s needs, education and well-being, and so on.
What does God have to say to us about these legitimate concerns? In Matthew 6:31 He tells us, “Do not worry.”
Now, He is not saying these things are unimportant, that we don’t need all these things, because in the same portion of scripture He says, “For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” (Matthew 6:32)
So God cares about you having these things. In fact, He wants all these things added to us – in other words, God wants you to be ‘prospering’ in these things, not just getting by. Jesus then tells us the way to prosper in these things.
It is by seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Therefore, our number one priority every day is not to seek for the things we need, but to seek the kingdom of God and the righteousness He gives.
What is righteousness?
It’s not right behavior, it actually means “right standing” with God the Father. It is the removal of all your guilt, sin and condemnation which enables you to stand “right” before God. It is not something you get through right behavior. It is a gift from God. (Romans 5:17) And to “seek” this gift is to be conscious of the fact that you are right with God through the work of Jesus, not your work.
At the cross, Jesus didn’t just remove our sin, guilt, and condemnation, He also gave us His righteousness so we can come boldly before the throne of God and receive freely everything that He died to give us!
Today, if you want to provide your family with the good things in life, be assured that your heavenly Father knows that you need these things. Just seek His righteousness through what Jesus did, not your own righteousness through what you do, and “all these things shall be added to you”!