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“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
— Matthew 6:33
Let us look at what the Word of God says. The song you have before you is built around one of the central directives of Jesus’ teaching. It touches a universal human problem: anxiety about material needs—food, drink, clothing, provision. Jesus confronts this problem not with sympathy alone, but with a command and a promise.
Two key verses form the backbone of this song:
> “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or
> ‘What shall we wear?’”
> — Matthew 6:31
> “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
> — Matthew 6:33
The theme is clear: worry versus seeking. The Gentiles (those without God) seek the things. The disciples of Jesus are to seek the King and His kingdom. The promise is that God Himself will take responsibility for our needs.
This is not a suggestion. It is a divine order of priorities. It is also a spiritual law: what you seek first governs what is added to you. Many problems in the lives of believers are rooted here. The order is wrong. The heart is seeking “all these things” first, and the kingdom second—or not at all. The result is anxiety, frustration, and spiritual barrenness.
The lyrics echo the command of Jesus:
“Do not worry—seek the kingdom first.”
We need to understand what that means, how it works, and how to walk in it.
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Matthew chapter 6 is part of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), the foundational teaching of Jesus on the life of the kingdom. He is speaking to His disciples, with crowds listening in. He is not describing an ideal for a spiritual elite; He is defining normal Christian living.
The immediate context is Jesus’ teaching on treasure, loyalty, and trust.
1. Treasure
> “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth… but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” (Matthew 6:19–20)
Jesus addresses where we store value. Earthly treasure is temporary and vulnerable. Heavenly treasure is permanent and secure.
2. Loyalty
> “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24)
Mammon is not just money; it is wealth personified as a rival master. Jesus says it is impossible to serve God and mammon simultaneously. You will love one and despise the other.
3. Trust
> “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life…” (Matthew 6:25)
The “therefore” connects worry with the previous issue of master and treasure. Worry, in this context, is not a minor emotional problem. It is the symptom of divided loyalty and misplaced trust.
Jesus then uses three examples from creation:
Then comes the rebuke:
> “O you of little faith.” (6:30)
The disciples were acting like “Gentiles”—those who do not know the true God.
> “For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” (6:32)
Here is the contrast:
Out of this contrast flows the command and promise:
> “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (6:33)
The song lyrics faithfully reflect that sequence:
We are being brought into the mindset of Jesus: to live as children of a Father, not as spiritual orphans scrambling for survival.
---
To understand this command, we must consider two key Greek words: “seek” and “kingdom.”
### 3.1 “Seek” – *zēteō* (ζητέω)
> “But seek (*zēteō*) first the kingdom of God…” (Matthew 6:33)
*Zēteō* means more than to look for something casually. It carries the idea of:
It is in the present imperative: “keep on continually seeking.” This is not a one-time decision at conversion; it is a continuous orientation of life.
This tells us:
Seeking the kingdom is not a feeling. It is a sustained pursuit, a deliberate priority that shapes decisions, time, money, relationships, and desires. The Gentiles “seek” (*epizēteō*—eagerly seek) after things; the disciple *zēteō* the kingdom.
The lyrics rightly repeat:
“Seek first the kingdom of God… Do not worry—seek the kingdom first.”
The repetition is appropriate. Jesus is confronting a habitual way of living with a new habitual pursuit.
### 3.2 “Kingdom” – *basileia* (βασιλεία)
The word for “kingdom” is *basileia*. It does not primarily mean territory. It means:
So, “the kingdom of God” means: the rule of God, the realm where His will is done.
Jesus defines this elsewhere:
> “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
Where the will of God is done on earth as in heaven, there the kingdom is present. Therefore, to seek the kingdom is to seek the active rule of God in:
It is not merely to want to go to heaven when you die. It is to desire and submit to the government of God now.
Thus, the command means:
“Make it your continual, highest priority to pursue the rule and will of God, and the practical outworking of His righteousness, above every other concern.”
This gives weight to the lyrics:
“Seek first the kingdom of God
and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added to you.”
They are inviting you into a life governed by the rule of God, not by the tyranny of need.
---
Let us now walk through the themes of the lyrics and see how scripture interprets scripture.
### 4.1 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?… drink?… wear?’”
This lyric directly quotes Matthew 6:31. Here Jesus exposes how worry operates: through our words.
“Do not worry, saying…”
Worry finds expression in repeated, anxious questions:
These are all legitimate needs. Jesus is not rebuking the needs themselves. He is addressing the unbelieving way we approach them.
Worry is more than an internal emotion. It becomes a confession: a negative proclamation of fear and unbelief. In spiritual warfare, words matter.
Proverbs 18:21:
> “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
When we continually say, “What will I do? I never have enough. I’m afraid I’ll lack,” we are aligning our mouths, and therefore our hearts, with the spirit of fear and the spirit of mammon, not with the Word of God.
Jesus’ remedy begins at this point: “Do not worry, saying…”
Stop giving worry a voice. Stop rehearsing scarcity. Replace your words with God’s words.
This is exactly what the song does by putting Jesus’ words on our lips:
“Your Father knows your needs—seek His kingdom, and He will provide.”
This is righteous proclamation.
### 4.2 “For after all these things the Gentiles seek.”
Here we have a contrast of two lifestyles.
“Gentiles” in this context are those without covenant relationship with God. Paul describes them in Ephesians 2:12:
> “…at that time you were without Christ… strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.”
Such people must seek things first. They have no Father. They must secure their future by their own effort. This produces an endless, anxious pursuit.
But when believers live in the same way—driven by material concern—they behave as if God did not exist, as if they were still Gentiles. That is what Jesus is confronting.
Colossians 3:1–2 gives the alternative:
> “If then you were raised with Christ, seek (*zēteō*) those things which are above, where Christ is… Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Note the same word *zēteō*. It is the same call: redirect your primary pursuit. The Gentiles seek earthly things; disciples seek the things above—the rule of Christ.
The lyrics reinforce this shift by repetition:
“Seek first the kingdom of God…
Do not worry—seek the kingdom first.”
This repetition helps uproot the Gentile mindset and implant the kingdom mindset.
### 4.3 “For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.”
Here is the relational foundation. Jesus does not say, “God knows.” He says, “your heavenly Father.” This is essential.
Three truths are implied:
1. God is Father.
Not an impersonal force, not a distant deity, but an involved, caring, providing Father.
2. He is your Father.
Through faith in Christ, you are adopted (Romans 8:15). You have the right to call Him “Abba, Father.” Provision flows out of this relationship.
3. He knows your needs.
Before you ask. Before you worry. Before the bill arrives. His knowledge is perfect, constant, and personal.
This is echoed in Matthew 6:8:
> “…for your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”
Notice: need, not greed. Needs are included. Destructive lusts are not. But everything truly necessary for the will of God in your life is already known and accounted for.
The lyrics state it clearly:
“Your Father knows your needs—seek His kingdom, and He will provide.”
This combats a subtle lie: that God is unaware, indifferent, or late. That lie fuels worry. Truth about the Father dismantles it.
### 4.4 “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness”
We must pay attention to the phrase “and His righteousness.”
Many seek the kingdom in a political or external sense, wanting change in society, power in ministry, miracles and influence. But Jesus adds, “and His righteousness.”
Righteousness here is not mere legal status; it is right relationship and right conduct according to God’s standard. Romans 14:17 explains:
> “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
The kingdom consists in:
in the Holy Spirit.
You cannot seek the kingdom and neglect righteousness. The rule of God in your life will always confront sin, compromise, dishonesty, immorality, bitterness, and greed.
Many want kingdom provision without kingdom righteousness. Jesus does not allow this. The promise “all these things shall be added to you” is connected with this condition: seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.
This includes:
The lyrics rightly keep “and His righteousness” woven throughout:
“Seek first the kingdom of God
and His righteousness…”
The kingdom without righteousness is illusion. Righteousness without the kingdom is legalism. Jesus unites them.
### 4.5 “And all these things shall be added to you”
Here is the promise. It is very simple, but very searching.
Notice:
1. “Added” – not the central pursuit, but the byproduct. These things are not wrong. They are wrong when they are first.
2. “Shall be” – this is a strong future promise from the lips of Jesus. It is not vague. It is covenant provision.
Philippians 4:19 confirms this:
> “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Not out of His riches, but according to His riches—measured by His abundance, not by your scarcity.
Psalm 34:10 adds:
> “The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
> But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.”
Who are those who do not lack?
Those who seek the LORD, not those who seek the things.
The lyrics echo this confidence:
“…and all these things shall be provided for you…
and all these things will be given to you as well.”
This is not prosperity doctrine based on greed. It is kingdom provision based on right priorities and trust in the Father.
### 4.6 “Do not worry—seek the kingdom first”
The song uses this line as a refrain. It condenses Jesus’ teaching into two movements:
This is in line with Philippians 4:6–7:
> “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
> and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Notice the pattern:
The song trains the believer to adopt that posture. Worry is not neutral. It is sin because it denies the Father’s care and contradicts the words of Jesus. To refuse worry and to seek the kingdom is an act of spiritual warfare against unbelief, fear, and the spirit of mammon.
---
We must now bring this down to practical steps. How do we move from theory to practice? I will outline four key steps.
### Step 1: Repent of Worry and Wrong Priorities
First, we must recognize worry not as a minor personality trait, but as disobedience to the clear command of Jesus: “Do not worry.”
Where the Holy Spirit convicts you, agree with Him. Say plainly:
“Lord, I have been anxious about money, food, clothing, my future, my children, my job. I have allowed these to govern my thoughts and words. I have thought and spoken like a Gentile, not like a child of the Father. I repent.”
Repentance is change of mind that leads to change of direction. It breaks the partnership with worry and opens the way for faith.
### Step 2: Establish the Kingdom as Your First Priority
Second, we must consciously reorder our priorities. This involves questions like:
To “seek first the kingdom” means that in every area of life you ask first:
“What is the will of my King? What advances His rule? What maintains His righteousness?”
This may mean:
It is helpful to make a conscious declaration:
“From this day, the rule of God and His righteousness are my first priority.”
### Step 3: Replace Worrying Words with Kingdom Proclamations
Third, we must deal with our speech. Remember Jesus’ phrase, “Do not worry, saying…”
Each time you catch yourself saying, “What shall we do? We’ll never manage. I’m afraid we’ll lack,” stop. Repent. Replace those words with the words of Jesus:
Consistent proclamation of God’s Word dislodges worry and builds faith. This is not mind-over-matter. It is agreeing with the truth of God against the lies of fear.
### Step 4: Practice Trust Through Obedience and Generosity
Finally, trust is not proven by words alone but by actions. To serve God and not mammon requires practical obedience, especially in the area of money and possessions.
This includes:
Each time you obey God in this area, you are declaring:
“I do not serve mammon. I serve the King. I trust my Father to add what I need.”
God often tests us here. When we pass the test, the promise becomes experiential reality.
---
### Proclamation
Speak this aloud, deliberately, as an act of faith:
“I confess today that Jesus Christ is my Lord and my King.
I renounce worry, anxiety, and fear about my needs.
I refuse to talk like the Gentiles who do not know God.
My heavenly Father knows that I need all these things.
By His grace, I choose to seek first the kingdom of God
and His righteousness in every area of my life.
The rule of God and the will of God are my first priority.
I submit my time, my money, my relationships,
and my decisions to the lordship of Jesus.
Because I seek first His kingdom and His righteousness,
I believe the promise of Jesus:
all these things—everything I truly need—
are being added to me.
My God supplies all my need
according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
I am not a spiritual orphan; I am a child of the Father.
Therefore, I will not worry—
I will seek the kingdom first.
Amen.”
### Prayer
“Father in heaven,
I come to You through Jesus Christ, Your Son.
I acknowledge that many times I have been ruled by worry and fear.
I ask You to forgive me for seeking the things, instead of seeking Your kingdom.
Cleanse my heart from unbelief.
Holy Spirit, establish in me a new order of priorities.
Teach me to seek first the rule of God and His righteousness.
Expose every area where mammon has claimed my loyalty.
Give me grace to obey You in practical ways—
in my speech, my finances, my decisions, my relationships.
I receive Your promise that as I seek Your kingdom first,
You will add to me everything I truly need
to do Your will and glorify Your name.
Let Your peace guard my heart and my mind.
Let Your kingdom come and Your will be done in my life,
as it is in heaven.
In the name of Jesus,
Amen.”
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