Matthew 6:33 (Heaven and Righteousness First)

Matthew 6:33

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

This world is full of problems, and no one knows them more than Jesus of Nazareth (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus created the world and all the people in it (John 1:2-3). He loves His creation and has made a way for people to not perish in their problems (1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Peter 3:9). Out of His love, Jesus gathered together crowds (plural) so He could tell them His good news. In Jesus' sermon on the mount He teaches this good news, and how it relates to people's problems in Matthew chapter 6 from verses 27-33:

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

With these words, Jesus lays out God's solution to worries and problems: Everyone needs to seek God's kingdom and His righteousness above all things (Matthew 6:33).

All of creation's problems can be solved through God's
perfect solution and lead to wonderful success, but this
must be understood in light of Jesus' good news and
His purpose for giving it (John 3:16, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

How does someone seek God's kingdom and His righteousness? God's kingdom is not in the world, for Jesus says we are to ask God the Father to let His "kingdom come...on earth as it is in heaven," (Matthew 6:9-11). Someone who seeks God's kingdom looks for His dwelling place, which is heaven (Psalm 115:3). God will one day bring heaven down to the rest of the world (Revelation 21:2-3), but before that day comes, everyone needs to seek God's righteousness. They can start by running away from their unrighteousness, their sins. Jesus' word for turning away from sin is to "repent" and He says those who repent must "believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15). If someone believes the good news of Jesus Christ (which is the gospel) they have "become children of God...born of God," (John 1:12-13). This means they have been "born again" and Jesus says, "no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again," (John 3:3). So, someone sees the kingdom of God by being born again, and someone is born again by seeking God's righteousness.

Seeing heaven and repenting from sin are connected, and someone who chases after both will be able to not worry about anything in this world. If you don't believe it, let's look at a few examples, and see how a born again believer can respond to this world's problems:

• Financial problems: Someone who seeks heaven knows they belong to the God whose "carts overflow with abundance," (Psalm 65:11) and that they can ask for His wealth anytime (Matthew 7:7-11). Their understanding of God's righteousness shows them everything they have was given by God (James 1:17), and that it is sinful to hoard worldly possessions (Luke 12:16-21, 1 Timothy 6:10). If they trust this, they will pay their taxes (Matthew 22:19-21), give charitably (Matthew 6:4) and believe that their greatest treasures are kept in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).
• Health problems: Someone who seeks heaven knows that any sickness in the world is ultimately temporary (Revelation 21:4) and God is able to heal any disease (Matthew 4:23). Their understanding of God's righteousness shows them it is God who makes people well or unwell (Exodus 4:11), and He does this for His glory (John 9:1-3). If they trust this, they will believe that their health is something God has chosen to give them to bless His name (Job 1:21).
• Occupational problems: Someone who seeks heaven will know that their worldly work and everything they gained through it will be left behind (Ecclesiastes 2:17-18, 1 Timothy 6:7). Their understanding of God's righteousness shows them they need to serve those in charge with the same love they have for God (Ephesians 6:5). If they trust this, they will work "with all their heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since they know that they will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward." (Colossians 3:23-24).
• Technological problems: Someone who seeks heaven will see that when their computer crashes it's just the world saying it is "subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it," (Romans 8:20). Their understanding of God's righteousness shows them they should be content in their life, knowing God will give them strength to do so (Philippians 4:12-13). If they trust this, they will see "the world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever," (1 John 2:17).

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord blessed be Your name
- Matt Redman

After looking at these human problems in light of Jesus' solution, it is clear that human problems are no problem at all. Jesus desires that everyone "have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10), and they can do this by seeking God's kingdom and His righteousness.

This good news Jesus offers should affect every aspect of a believer's life. Unfortunately, many believers do not talk about this good news outside of someone's ability to get a "free pass to heaven." In many churches people are offered a chance to see heaven and repent from their sins through the form of the "sinner's prayer." The "sinner's prayer" typically contains phrases such as "Jesus, I accept that I am a sinner," "I believe Your good news for my life," and "I want You to come into my 'heart.'" A church can have someone lead people in this prayer or they can write it down somewhere for people to recite it on their own. After someone in charge finishes leading people in this prayer, they might say, "If you just prayed that simple prayer, I believe you've been born again." In contrast to this, the Bible is clear that it is not any prayer or string of words that allows someone to be born again, but it is one's belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

The Scripture does not tell us that Jesus Christ came to the nation of Israel and said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, now who would like to ask Me into their hearts? I see that hand.” That is not what it says. He said, “Repent and believe the gospel”!

- Paul Washer

Many preachers use the "sinner's prayer" as a way to help people deal with their sin problem, but they do not teach that this prayer can help them with any other problem. Someone cannot look at a flat tire and fix it by saying, "Mechanic, I accept that my car is in need of repair. I believe that there is a manual I can read on how to get the spare tire out of my trunk. I accept that spare tire into my 'heart' right now." Saying this does very little. On the other hand, seeking God's kingdom and His righteousness helps someone know that their car getting a flat is a part of God's plan for them (Psalm 139:16), and they can have peace in this situation knowing "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose," (Romans 8:28). Jesus' gospel can solve people's "sin" problem as well as their other problems. The "sinner's prayer" cannot do this. This is one reason why churches should not offer the "sinner's prayer"; at best it only helps people with their sin problem, at worst it does absolutely nothing.

God's Church should listen to preaches who keep from
"quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those
who listen," and who do their best to present themselves "to
God as one approved, a worker who does not need to
be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth,"
(2 Timothy 2:14-15).

Jesus says the children of God are to "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well," (Matthew 6:33). This is the problem solving solution that everyone should be told (even those who are born again). The world does not need life advice or a "sinner's prayer." The world needs God's love and the gospel. This is why the apostle Paul commands all churches to "preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction," (2 Timothy 4:2). God's Word, the gospel, is useful for all people at all times in all walks of life. When believers trust this, they will urgently follow Jesus' words to "go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation," (Mark 16:15). The gospel is the only thing that saves people from all their problems. It is the solution!

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Grace to You: The Single Minded Christian
• Matt Redman: Blessed  Be Your Name
• Paul Washer: The Modern Church