WHAT WOULD YOU SEEK FIRST?

Dearly Beloved, WHAT WOULD YOU SEEK FIRST? "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33 NIV). Can you imagine a person that wants to buy something in the market whose main concern is the additional thing the seller would give him for patronizing him? Or can you imagine a person that has more interest in the insignificant addition to a gift rather than the actual gift? This is what most people do in their approach to God. They would want God to do any other thing for them while they leave the main thing. Many people are ready to spend most of their time asking God for material and financial blessings while they neglect the most important spiritual blessings that He is ready to give those that ask for them. Many would do anything they can to get what they want from God while they refuse to do want God wants from them. The above Bible verse sums it up: "But seek first [God's] kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33 NIV). We are to firstly seek the kingdom of God. A Bible commentator puts it this way, "Seek first to be righteous, and to become interested in His favor, and all necessary things will be added to you. He has control over all things, and He can give you what you need. He WILL give you what HE deems best for you." When we firstly seek God and live according to His commands, He will give us even those earthly things that we do not ask for. King Solomon is a good example here. God asked him to ask for anything from Him. Rather than asking for earthly things for his selfish gain, he asked for God's wisdom, and God did not only give him unparalleled wisdom, He gave him even those earthly things that he did not requested for (see 1 Kings 3:1-15). It is a good thing to ask God for material and financial blessings. Everybody needs them. However, the first thing to seek from God is the wisdom to do His will. The psalmist says, "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart" and "He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them" (Psalms 37:4; 145:19 NIV. See also Psalms 34:9-10; 37:18, 19, 25; 84:11; Mark 10:29-30; 1 Timothy 4:8). Many do not have or/and enjoy material and financial blessings because of their misplaced priority. What would you seek first? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Points: 1. Lord, help me to seek You and Your righteousness first in all my endeavors. 2. As I am seeking you first Lord, add all these material and financial blessings to your spiritual blessings for me.