Do you put God first?

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.”

Matt 6:33 HCSB

There is a pattern formed by similar scripture in the Bible, which joins the Old Testament to the New Testament. It a pattern which reveals God’s will for us and it seems to fall into three parts.

1. Seek God first.

2. God’s Spirit fills our lives and we then, let it flow through us to others, which results in love and care for others in our lives.

3. God will take care of all the logistics, the opportunities, and the blessings.

“Seek first the kingdom of God” is to seek God.

“and His righteousness” is to grow in the attributes of God’s character, which shows up as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As these characteristics grow in us, they branch out to bless others around us, whether in our homes, at our workplaces, or even in a store.

The more the fruit of our spiritual growth blesses others, the more we are blessed. God loves to bless those who are living righteous lives.

Let me point out just a few places where this pattern shows up in the Bible. Remember is always starts with seeking a relationship with God first.

Deuteronomy 5:6-21 – The Ten Commandments. The first four have to do with our relationship to God, and the last six have to do with our relationship to others.

Psalm 1 – Speaks of the flourishing of the person who is righteous and studies God’s word, meditating on it day and night, “For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous.”

Then in the New Testament Jesus is the embodiment of the truth of this pattern in one’s life. He both teaches and lives out the same pattern putting God first and following that with the love and care of others.

Matt 5:3-12 – The Beatitudes. The first four are about our relationship to God, the last are about our relationship to others.

Mark 12:28-34 – The Greatest Commandment. The first is about our relationship to God. Then Jesus adds the second which is about our relationship to others.

Matt 25:1-13 – The Parable of the Ten Virgins. A parable about the importance of a right relationship to God

Matt 25:14-30 – The Parable of the Talents. Our relationship to others as demonstrated by the numbers of those whose lives for eternity are changed because of our lives.

Matt 25:31-46 – The Sheep and Goats story – This is a story of the rewards which await those who sought God first and then allowed God’s love to flow through them to others.

Gal 5:1-6:10 – Same three, seek first God, allow his Spirit to flow through to others, and be blessed by God.

Phil 4:4-9 – Again the same three.

The Bible ends with this final call to seek God and the rewards for those who are righteous followers of Christ.

Revelations 22:12-17, 20-21

“Look! I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me to repay each person according to what he has done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.  Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.

I, Jesus, have sent My angel to attest these things to you for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright Morning Star.”

Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Anyone who hears should say, “Come!” And the one who is thirsty should come. Whoever desires should take the living water as a gift.

“He who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.”

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.”

If Jesus did, maybe we should too.

First God

Then others

Then blessings of God