Matthew 6_33-34
December 16,
Happy Sunday Everyone,
The scripture for today is Matthew 6:33-34
Matthew 6:33-34 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
We typically live our lives based on our priorities. The things that are most important to us are at the top of our priority list. These are the things that will always get done, even at the expense of other things on our list of priorities. When we say, "I wanted to do such and such, but I didn't have the time", we are simply saying that it was not a high enough priority for us to do it.
A psychologist named Abraham Maslow presented a theory that became known as Maslow's hierarchy of needs. In his widely accepted theory, physiological needs had to be met before a person would focus on safety needs, social needs or at the highest level, esteem needs. He postulated that these levels of needs drove human behavior. For example, a person who is not getting food is not concerned about social or self-esteem needs. When the basic needs are met, the person would then move on to meet higher levels of needs.
Jesus tells us to do just the opposite of what Maslow's theory says we would do. Jesus says that we should seek to fulfill the highest need first, "the kingdom of God and His righteousness." When we have fulfilled that need, then all of the lower ones will be added to us; not because we have sought them, but because in God all of our other needs are met; He adds them to us. In Matthew 6:31-32 He says, "Therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? or, what shall we drink? or, wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things." Then in verses 33-34, our scripture for today, He gives us the correct priority for our lives.
It is one thing to quote a scripture (most of us can do that fairly well); it is another thing altogether to have the Word of God take possession of us. As we give ourselves wholly to His Word and make His kingdom and His righteousness our first priority we will find ourselves directed by the indwelling presence of Christ and all other needs are met in Him.
God bless you as you continue in His service.
Tim