Scripture reading: Matthew 6:25-34
When reading through Scripture or preaching sermons, our minds tend to focus on certain verses in a passage of Scripture. The result can sometimes lead to emphasizing a verse, phrase or word that is not the true focal point. Perhaps another way of saying this is that we sometimes look for the answer where the answer is not found. This is especially true when Jesus is speaking. What He emphasizes is not always where we look for divine guidance.
Matthew 6:25-34 is a classic example of misplaced emphasis. Don’t get me wrong, this entire passage is a source of much comfort, even though it issues a very tall challenge. I have listened to preachers and read articles and books focusing on worry. Jesus repeats Himself three times in these ten verses with the exhortation, “Do not worry.” And we should not worry. Although we would long to have it be so, living a life free from worry is not the focal point of Jesus’ words.
How much effort are we supposed to bring to the table? When God calls us to ministry or missions, how much are we supposed to accomplish on our own and how much are we to rely on God? 1 Timothy 5:8 says, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” We are to do something. Our effort is required somewhere.
Let’s say God has called a young adult to ministry, and the next step is Bible college. What is the young adult to do? Tuition, room and board must be paid plus other living expenses. If the young adult does not have the means, what is he or she to do? Go out and get a job? Get a student loan?
Jesus instructs us not to worry. In other words, we are not to seek after our own interests. Does that mean we should sit idly by, abandon all worry, and wait for Jesus to show up? Answering this question is where, I believe, we tend to go wrong. What does it mean not to worry and instead to wait on God?
The answer lies in verse 33, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Let’s dispense with the second half of the verse first because that’s the easy part. “All these things” refers to the object of our worry. Clothing, food, shelter and the essentials we need to follow Christ wherever He leads us are included in “all these things.”
The hard part is how they shall be added unto us. Jesus says, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.” This is the formula we must use to have “all these things being added unto us.” But what does it mean to seek God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness?
Francis McGaw wrote about the last months of D.L. Moody’s life. Moody was in England when he had trouble with his heart. The doctors told him that his excessive labors were costing him his life. Moody promised to slow down, but on the voyage back to America, the ship encountered a fierce storm and was in danger of sinking. The passengers appealed to Moody, and Moody in that moment promised the Lord that he would return to his labor for lost souls if God would rescue them. That summer during the World’s Fair in Chicago, he worked with all his “old-time vigor.” “Halls, storerooms, theaters, churches, and even circus tents were utilized for Gospel meetings.” Later that year in Kansas City while preaching “with all his tremendous energy,” Moody’s heart gave out. A few days later, “he passed over to join that heroic band who counted not their lives dear unto themselves that they might win precious souls to Jesus.”
Praying Hyde at the age of 47 was in Calcutta when his heart acted up. The doctor diagnosed him with the most severe heart condition he had ever known and instructed Hyde that his labor was costing him his life. Hyde thanked the doctor and briefly weighed his options. He could save his life and stop working for the Lord, or he could work for the Lord and continue bringing souls into the kingdom. His decision was to place his life in the Lord’s hands and continue laboring for the kingdom.
Moses, Nehemiah, Paul, John the Baptist, and many others in the Bible and since the resurrection of Christ have put kingdom work ahead of their own safety and health. Even Jesus Himself put His life in God’s hands when He journeyed to the cross.
These examples provide us with the essence of seeking first God’s kingdom. We are to be about God’s business first, regardless of the cost. Hyde said, “When we keep near to Jesus, it is He who draws souls to Himself through us, but He must be lifted up in our lives; that is, we must be crucified with Him.” We cannot be about the work of the kingdom unless we first lift up Christ in our own lives. This is seeking after His righteousness.
The two are inseparable – seeking after the kingdom and seeking after righteousness. Hyde and Moody left us with tremendous examples of Godly figures who put Christ first and left everything else to the Lord. Hyde was homeless and never married, yet his housing and meals were always provided. Hyde spent the majority of his time on this earth praying. Moody spent his time preaching and traveling. They put God’s kingdom and righteousness first, and found they had no lack in material necessities.
George Müller is another example, as well as John Wesley, Francis Asbury, and the list is almost never-ending. They gave up everything to preach the gospel of Christ, and found they had no lack.
What will you do? Where are you in this process? If God has called you to ministry or missions or some other labor for the gospel, think not on any obstacles or material necessities. Wear out your knees first, seek where God would have you labor and what He would have you do, and the material necessities will find their way to you.
The key word in all of these ten verses, after all, is “first.” When we put our material necessities and desires first, the kingdom of heaven and God’s righteousness are placed second, third or some other place of unimportant status. God must be first. He requires to be put first if we are to partake and receive of His promises.
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