Seek First the Kingdom of God: A Modern Misunderstanding

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waynemlj

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Feb 8, 2008
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The humanist view of the modern world is definitely anti-Christian, anti-God. The humanists live for the gathering of as many goods and possessions and power and wealth as they can possible fill their closets and lives with.However, Jesus taught in Matthew 6:31-33, "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you."This modern humanist infection, I fear, has crept into the church in great measure. For many Christians slide past the first part of that last sentence from the above quote and go right to the last portion of it ". . . all these things shall be added unto you." To focus on that part, is to grow cold to the first part of that admonition from Jesus, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness..."For I believe that it is not all the things that will be added unto us that we are supposed to be seeking from Jesus' perspective. If we seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, the good news isn't that all these things will be added unto us. The good news is that we will find the kingdom of God and his righteousness . . . and that will be our joy forevermore!waynemlj
 

its_victoria08

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Mar 28, 2008
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I think the importance of seeking God first is that once we do that, we no longer EVER seek worldly goods.Once we put our love with God and Jesus, we no longer want the material possessions we get here.
 

Nyoka

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Mar 26, 2008
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My husband I have tried to do that. We try to keep looking at God first - sometimes we muck up a bit. God knows our hearts want Him and Him only so He has honored us for doing this. Part of what He has done for us in return is to honor us with material things. We don't look for the material but for Him and He has blessed us in return. I do believe that part of the 'adding unto us' is material possessions but that we shouldn't be looking to add the possessions ourselves - only wait on God to add to us. Part of the adding has been blessings where our children are concerned as He has given them good jobs earning a decent wage. Part of the adding is spiritual as we learn more about Him and His ways and how He wants us to follow Him. I do think there is many elements to the 'adding unto us' but first before He does that we MUST seek Him.
 

waynemlj

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Feb 8, 2008
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Hi its_victoria08,Yes, it's a matter of direction, isn't it? We can't go both directions at the same time without losing the most important direction: advancement in the fullness of the knowedge of Jesus Christ, our true life.Glad to hear from you,waynemlj
 

waynemlj

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Hi Nyoka,It sounds to me from your Reply that you and your husband and family are on a very good path. The way to stay on that path is to be reading and studying the Bible every single day, even when family life gets hectic. Your children learn from what they see their parents modeling to them, for sure. They will come to have the same love for God's Word as their parents demonstrate.Nice to hear from you,waynemlj
 

Nyoka

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(waynemlj;43534)
Hi Nyoka,It sounds to me from your Reply that you and your husband and family are on a very good path. The way to stay on that path is to be reading and studying the Bible every single day, even when family life gets hectic. Your children learn from what they see their parents modeling to them, for sure. They will come to have the same love for God's Word as their parents demonstrate.Nice to hear from you,waynemlj
Thank you. Studying is very important. We have tried to teach and set and example for our children - not always easy.
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They have grown up with the knowledge that our family structure is God first, then my hubby and I, then the kids. The kids have always known that they are very important to us and very much loved by us but God comes first.
 

zadzial

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Mar 23, 2008
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Thanks wayne for your post. It is something that I think Christians need to be reminded of often. I know I do. The Lord knows what we need and He will graciously provide us with these things. My husband and I are struggling with many issues at the moment, the biggest issue being my husband's health. However, despite these issues we have been blessed so much. We belong to a great church where the Bible is taught faithfully. But most of all we have a wonderful little boy who I always thank God for. Even through the darkest times in my life God has always been there and He will see us through this difficult time as well.I found your words very encouraging. Thank you! :blessyou:
 

Kooks

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Mar 22, 2008
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I think that part of the problem, regarding focusing on the material aspect of life as opposed to the spiritual, is the society and external influences on people. No matter how hard people try to focus solely on their relationship with God, adhering to the what Jesus taught (Matthew 6:31-33, "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.) our world is one in which material possessions are prized highly and pushed on you through advertising etc. But I think God understand the struggles and forgives when occassionaly you forget on what to focus and think of all the possessions that you don't have and would like. Or at least in my experience He does....
 

Mighty Bear

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"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."James 1:4 (KJV)
 

Mighty Bear

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"For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits." James 1:11 (ESV)
 

Mighty Bear

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"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it."Matthew 13:45-46 (ESV)"For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." Galatians 6:8 (ESV)"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
 

Miss Hepburn

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Oct 28, 2009
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What a great topic -there are so many new people I thought it worthy to bring up again.Because if we were to follow even one of Jesus' Holy Instructions -how wondrous our lives would be.How wonderful to, say, for one week to focus all our attention on Seeking the Kingdom of God (Heaven) first and to see how all else comes.:) Miss HepburnNow, Can anyone say they have disciplined themselves for a day, for a week, for an hour to steer their attention on just that one instruction? That is for you to ask yourselves. :)