Jesus’ counsel to seek first the Kingdom of God came in the context of His teaching against a life of anxiety. Given at the beginning of His public ministry, it set the tone for a Kingdom-centred life and foreshadowed the priorities He would model throughout His earthly journey. Many people followed Jesus, but not all did so with pure motives. The Pharisees and Sadducees were more eager to find fault than to learn from Him. Many more sought Him because they wanted their physical needs met. Jesus had a sharp rebuke for this group. “Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him” (John 6:26-27).

…living in absolute obedience to God’s ways and commandments is seeking the Lord. Moreover, whatever we do to extend the influence of God is seeking the kingdom of God.

The story is not different today. Our places of worship are packed to the brim but majority are seeking God for what they can get. What they seek is what Jesus promised as additions if we seek the first thing first. The priority is to seek the kingdom of God. Seeking the kingdom of God entails seeking the salvation that comes from it. Secondly, living in absolute obedience to God’s ways and commandments is seeking the Lord. Moreover, whatever we do to extend the influence of God is seeking the kingdom of God. God is described as our Father who has advance knowledge of what we need. He will supply them as long as we fulfill our side of the bargain – seeking first the kingdom.