by Michael E Brooks

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matt. 6:33).

Many of the sayings of Jesus have become so familiar and generally accepted to us that we often fail to grasp their true significance. "Seeking the kingdom first" means making sure there is room in our lives for church, a little prayer and Bible reading and maybe a few other "God" things, right? Maybe to a few really dedicated and mature Christians it also includes considering God’s will on a matter before making a decision. Is that enough? Is that really what Jesus is saying?

I had studied the Bible with a middle-aged Guyanese lady and concluded the session by asking her for a faith commitment to Jesus. Would she obey the Gospel? She looked at me earnestly and said, "I will become a Christian, but not now." When I asked why she would put off something so important, that she knew was right, and wanted to do, she gave me this story.

"My aged mother lives in this house with me and I take care of her. The house belongs to my brother who is of another religion. He pays all our bills, and provides us with food, clothing, and other necessities. If I change religions he will throw us out of the house and cut off all support. I just cannot do that to my mother."

Suddenly I looked at Matthew 6:33 in a whole new light. "Don’t worry about food! Don’t worry about clothing! Put Me first and I will take care of you!" That promise is not given just to Christians who are well off. It is not merely about making time in our schedules for "church" once or twice a week, at the cost of losing a little work or recreation time. It is God’s promise to those who may lose everything for His sake.

Trust in Him! He will provide! What faith that requires! Yet so many in the world must make that kind of decision. They face the threat of lost jobs, families forsaking them, even imprisonment or death, if they accept Christ. Yet they have no real choice, for if they save their lives, Jesus says, they will lose them, eternally (Matt. 16:25). Salvation comes through no other name (Acts 4:12). He is "the way, the truth and the life." No man comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).

Is God wise and powerful and rich enough to provide for our needs? Of course He is. He is the Almighty -- Omnipotent, Omniscient, Sovereign of all (Psa. 121). Does He care enough for us to give us what we need? Absolutely! "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…" (John 3:16).

Peter says, "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you" (1 Pet 5:6-7).

The issue is not God’s power or compassion. It is our ability to trust Him, and our desire to please Him. Will we really put Him first? Will we really seek the things of His kingdom even when that threatens our possessions or physical well-being? Jesus assures us that we may do so, with confidence. But He also demands that we must do it, or risk the loss of everything.

"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matt. 16:26).