"Seeking the Kingdom" Matthew 6:23 The sermon on the mount with Christ speaking in spiritual terms and the key attributes of the child of God! He also divides the world into two categories...Those who seek the Kingdom and those who seek the mundane world. They are either horizontal or vertical. We have a vertical outlook and seek and long for the things above even as we use the same blessings in a subservient way here below.
1. The Kingdom: The Kingdom OF GOD! Heaven, Kingdom of Righteousness, etc. The SPIRITUAL realm ruled by God Himself who is the beginner and finisher and nurturer of that Kingdom! Same thing as saying "I am saved" as God redeems and makes citizens of that Kingdom and gives that citizenship in the cross...in Christ! God's covenant with His people in Christ! A SPIRITUAL realm and never to be confused with the kingdoms here below. Spiritual poverty first and then concerned secondarily with the physically poor!
2. Calling: As we are citizens of particular kingdoms and countries we are called to pray "Thy Kingdom come!" It has a history and will up to its full fruition and its fullness in the end. That Kingdom dictates and determines all of history...not the other way around. Designed by God that that Kingdom may come...the scaffolding for the spiritual up-building of Zion! His righteousness is the heart of the Kingdom and the white horse of the Gospel is for the up-building of the Church as we (the Church) is called to preach that Gospel so it calls to a lively faith to citizenship and as it dictates how the citizens of that Kingdom live! Christ deals with seeking the Kingdom of the citizens that live here below as they live in the sermon on the mount NOT the entrance to the Kingdom. We must seek the Kingdom (Heavenly) opposed to the horizontal world that the devil, our old man and the world all entice us with each and every day. To seek the Kingdom is to be what we are....called to be Christians who are involved with the Kingdom! Be in the world, but not of the world. Seek the Kingdom of Heaven FIRST! The Kingdom is essentially our ONLY seeking. Not first for the Kingdom then the rest is for my pleasure. It is for every aspect of my life! Nothing is exempt. We must also therefore seek the preaching of the Gospel that guides and directs that we may be strengthened and seek that Kingdom. (Need we need to mention the responsibility of those who preach it either faithfully or in watered down fashion?) The seeking of the Kingdom permeates EVERYTHING! The relationship of the Kingdom and all we do must be there!
3. Result: "And all these things should be added to you." All the things that the world worry about, have anxiety about...will be added to us! We don't despise these things, but understand that they are means to the coming of that Kingdom in this world! Our heavenly Father knows we have needs and will add those things to us when we seek the Kingdom. He will take care of us! God understands that he citizens of the Kingdom need resources here below.
Why do you not trust?
Seek the Kingdom FIRST...and He will add abundantly!