Seek First the Kingdom of God AND His Righteousness

When we look at the world we find from other people's perspective even the poorest of us are rich.

We do not pay much attention to Jesus' teachings on a simple life because it goes against are interest in an affluent life-style. Those who take Jesus' teachings seriously are accused of legalism.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus spoke about food, drink and clothes. He told his listeners if they would seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, all those things would be added to them. If God believes that is enough who are we to disagree?

The central point of Jesus' teaching is to seek the kingdom of God and the righteousness of his kingdom first and everything necessary will come in its proper order. Everything hinges on maintaining the "first" things as first. Nothing must come before the kingdom of God, including the desire for a simple life-style.

Should I get a suitable job in order to exert a virtuous influence? No! We must first seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

Should I give away all my money to feed the poor? No! We must first seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

Should I go out and preach the gospel to the world that people are to seek God's kingdom? No! We must first seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

In a certain sense it is nothing we should do. It is nothing, become nothing before God, learn to keep silent; in this silence is the beginning, which is, first to seek God's kingdom.

Freedom from anxiety is one of the inward evidences of seeking first the kingdom of God. The inward reality involves a life of joyful unconcern for possessions. Neither the greedy nor the miserly know this freedom. It has nothing to do with the abundance of possessions or their lack. It is an inward spirit of trust. The sheer fact that a person is living without things is no guarantee that he or she is living in simplicity. Wealth does not bring freedom from anxiety.

I have been told the Japanese do not grasp the concept of just having something. They do not understand why anyone would want a off-road vehicle if we do not ever expect to go off-road. Items in their houses are functional. Our culture has convinced us that having food, drink and clothing is not enough and that separates us from what Jesus thought. Maybe we relate to the rich young ruler more than we will admit.