WHAT REALLY MATTERS?
THE KINGDOM FIRST LIFE
Key Scripture
π Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
π Matthew 6:19–21 (NKJV)
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Introduction
There is a question that every human being must answer, whether consciously or unconsciously. It is the question that determines the trajectory of your life, the quality of your relationships, the state of your soul, and your eternal destiny. It is the question that cuts through all the noise, all the distractions, all the trivial pursuits, and all the temporary obsessions. It is the question: What really matters?
We live in a world that is constantly telling us what should matter. It tells us that money matters. It tells us that success matters. It tells us that popularity matters. It tells us that comfort matters. It tells us that pleasure matters. It tells us that image matters. It tells us that accumulation matters. And we spend our lives chasing these things, believing that if we can just get enough of them, we will finally be satisfied. But we never are. We always want more. We always need more. We are never content. We are never at peace. We are never truly happy.
Jesus addressed this very issue in the Sermon on the Mount. He knew that His followers would be tempted to chase after the same things the world chases after. He knew that they would be anxious about their needs—food, clothing, shelter, and provision. He knew that they would be consumed with worry about tomorrow. And so He gave them a radical reorientation. He said, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." He told them what really matters. He told them that the Kingdom of God is the priority. He told them that God's righteousness is the goal. And He promised that if they would seek first the Kingdom, everything else they needed would be provided.
He also told them, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Jesus was not saying that money is evil. He was not saying that possessions are wrong. He was saying that they do not last. They do not satisfy. They do not ultimately matter. What matters is where your treasure is. What matters is the orientation of your heart. What matters is what you value, what you pursue, and what you live for.
This teaching is for everyone who has been chasing the wrong things. It is for the one who has been consumed with worry about provision. It is for the one who has been investing in things that will not last. It is for the one who has been looking for satisfaction in all the wrong places. It is for the one who wants to know what really matters. It is time to reorient your life around the Kingdom of God. It is time to seek first what really matters.
Biblical Truth
Matthew 6:33 and Matthew 6:19–21 together provide a powerful biblical framework for understanding what really matters in life. They reveal that the Kingdom of God is the ultimate priority, that earthly treasures are temporary, and that our hearts follow our treasure.
Matthew 6:33 is one of the most famous verses in all of Scripture. It is the culmination of Jesus' teaching on worry and provision. He had just told His disciples not to worry about their lives, what they would eat, what they would drink, or what they would wear. He had reminded them that God provides for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. He had told them that their heavenly Father knows what they need. Then He said, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
The Greek word for "seek" is zΔteΕ, which means to seek, to search for, to strive after, or to desire. It is a present tense verb, indicating continuous, ongoing action. We are to keep seeking. We are to keep pursuing. We are to keep prioritizing. It is not a one-time decision; it is a lifelong discipline. The Greek word for "first" is prΕton, which means first in time, first in rank, or first in priority. The Kingdom of God is to be first. It is to be the priority above all other priorities. It is to be the supreme pursuit of our lives.
The phrase "the kingdom of God" refers to God's rule and reign in the hearts and lives of His people. It is not a physical kingdom with borders and armies. It is a spiritual kingdom that is already present and yet still to come. It is the reign of God in the hearts of those who submit to Him. To seek first the Kingdom is to submit to God's authority. It is to obey His commands. It is to align your life with His purposes. It is to make His will your will. It is to make His glory your goal.
The phrase "and His righteousness" refers to the righteousness that comes from God. It is both the righteousness that we receive by faith in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21) and the righteousness that we are to pursue in our daily lives (1 Peter 1:16). We are to seek to be righteous as God is righteous. We are to pursue holiness. We are to live lives that honor God.
The promise is that "all these things shall be added to you." The Greek word for "added" is prostithΔmi, which means to add, to give in addition, or to supply. When we seek first the Kingdom, God promises to provide for our needs. Not necessarily our wants, but our needs. Not necessarily our desires, but our necessities. He will provide. He will take care of us. He will not abandon us. We do not have to worry. We do not have to stress. We do not have to chase after the things the world chases after. We just need to seek first the Kingdom.
Matthew 6:19–21 is Jesus' teaching on treasures. He begins with a prohibition: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth." The Greek word for "lay up" is thΔsaurizΕ, which means to store up, to treasure, or to accumulate. The word for "treasures" is thΔsauros, which means a storehouse, a treasure chest, or a deposit of wealth. Jesus is telling us not to spend our lives accumulating earthly wealth.
The reason is clear: "Where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal." The Greek word for "moth" is sΔs, which refers to the insect that destroys clothing. The word for "rust" is brΕsis, which means corrosion, decay, or eating away. The word for "thieves" is kleptΔs, which refers to those who steal, break in, and rob. Jesus is saying that earthly treasures are uncertain. They can be destroyed by insects, corroded by rust, or stolen by thieves. They are temporary. They are fleeting. They are not secure.
Then Jesus gives the positive alternative: "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." The Greek word for "heaven" is ouranos, which refers to the dwelling place of God. Heavenly treasures are secure. They cannot be destroyed. They cannot be stolen. They are eternal. They last forever.
Then Jesus gives the principle: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." The Greek word for "heart" is kardia, which refers to the inner person—the mind, the will, the emotions, and the desires. Your heart follows your treasure. What you value determines what you pursue. What you invest in determines what you love. If your treasure is on earth, your heart will be on earth. If your treasure is in heaven, your heart will be in heaven. The direction of your life is determined by where you place your treasure.
The principle of seeking first the Kingdom is woven throughout Scripture. When Abraham left his homeland, he was seeking a city whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:10). When Moses chose the reproach of Christ over the treasures of Egypt, he was seeking the reward that is eternal (Hebrews 11:26). When David wrote the Psalms, he declared, "One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple" (Psalm 27:4). When Paul wrote to the Philippians, he said, "But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ" (Philippians 3:7-8). These men and women of God understood what really matters. They understood that the Kingdom of God is the ultimate priority.
The example of Jesus is our ultimate model. Jesus lived a life of perfect priorities. He always sought first the Kingdom of God. He always did the will of the Father. He always prioritized the eternal over the temporal. He had no place to lay His head (Matthew 8:20). He did not accumulate wealth. He did not seek status. He did not pursue pleasure. He sought first the Kingdom. He invested in heavenly treasure. He lived for what really matters. And because He did, He fulfilled His purpose, He glorified the Father, and He secured eternal salvation for all who believe.
What We Often Get Wrong
The first and most common error is that we seek first everything but the Kingdom. We seek first our careers. We seek first our comfort. We seek first our finances. We seek first our relationships. We seek first our hobbies. We seek first our entertainment. We seek first our reputations. We seek first everything except the Kingdom of God. And then we wonder why we are not satisfied. We wonder why we are anxious. We wonder why we are unfulfilled. We wonder why we are not at peace.
Second, we believe that the things of this world will satisfy us. We think that if we just get that promotion, if we just buy that house, if we just achieve that goal, if we just gain that status, we will finally be happy. But we never are. The things of this world cannot satisfy the deepest longings of our souls. They are temporary. They are fleeting. They are like drinking saltwater—the more you drink, the thirstier you become.
Third, we lay up treasures on earth rather than in heaven. We spend our lives accumulating wealth, possessions, and status. We build bigger houses. We buy nicer cars. We upgrade our gadgets. We invest in the stock market. But we neglect the things that are eternal. We neglect prayer. We neglect the Word. We neglect service. We neglect generosity. We neglect the Kingdom. We are rich toward the world and poor toward God (Luke 12:21).
Fourth, we worry about provision. We are anxious about our finances, our jobs, our bills, our futures. We stress about tomorrow. We worry about what might happen. We fret about what we cannot control. But Jesus said, "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things" (Matthew 6:31-32). We do not have to worry. We have a Father who knows what we need and who promises to provide.
Fifth, we allow our hearts to follow our treasure. We invest in the temporary, and our hearts become attached to the temporary. We spend our time, our energy, and our resources on things that will not last. Our hearts follow our treasure, and our treasure is on earth. So our hearts are on earth. We are earthly-minded. We are not heavenly-minded. We are not Kingdom-focused.
Sixth, we forget that our time is limited. We think we have all the time in the world. We think we can get serious about the Kingdom later. We think we can pursue God after we have achieved our earthly goals. But our time is limited. Our lives are a vapor (James 4:14). We do not know how long we have. We must seek first the Kingdom now. Today is the day of salvation. Today is the day of prioritization. Today is the day of decision.
Seventh, we believe that seeking first the Kingdom means neglecting everything else. We think that if we prioritize the Kingdom, we will have to give up everything—our jobs, our families, our hobbies, our dreams. But this is not true. Jesus said, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." When we seek first the Kingdom, God provides for our needs. He blesses our work. He blesses our families. He blesses our endeavors. When we prioritize Him, He takes care of the rest. We do not have to neglect the things of this world; we just have to prioritize the Kingdom above them.
God's Perspective
God views your priorities as a reflection of your heart. What you prioritize reveals what you value. What you prioritize reveals what you love. What you prioritize reveals what you worship. God wants to be first in your life. He is not interested in being one among many. He is not interested in being a part of your life. He wants to be the center of your life. He wants to be your first priority. He wants to be your supreme pursuit.
God's perspective is that the Kingdom is the only thing that lasts. Everything else will pass away. The world and its desires will pass away (1 John 2:17). The things you accumulate will be left behind. The status you achieve will be forgotten. The wealth you build will be distributed to others. The only thing that matters is the Kingdom of God. It is eternal. It is lasting. It is the only investment that will never lose its value.
God sees your treasures as either earthly or heavenly. Every investment you make is either in the temporary or the eternal. You can invest in things that will rust, decay, and be stolen. Or you can invest in things that will last forever. You can lay up treasures on earth, or you can lay up treasures in heaven. The choice is yours. But your heart will follow your treasure. So choose wisely.
God's perspective is that He will provide for your needs. You do not have to worry. You do not have to be anxious. You do not have to chase after the things the world chases after. Your heavenly Father knows what you need. He sees your situation. He cares about your struggles. He will provide. He will take care of you. He will not abandon you. He is faithful. He is good. He is your Provider.
God sees your life as a stewardship. You have been entrusted with time, resources, talents, and opportunities. You are not the owner; you are the manager. You will give an account for how you used what you were given. Did you invest in the Kingdom, or did you invest in the world? Did you seek first the Kingdom, or did you seek first your own comfort? Did you lay up treasures in heaven, or did you lay up treasures on earth? The way you steward your life reveals what really matters to you.
God's perspective is that He is worth seeking first. He is the greatest treasure. He is the highest good. He is the source of all joy, all peace, all satisfaction, and all fulfillment. Nothing in this world compares to knowing Him. Nothing in this world compares to being in His presence. Nothing in this world compares to living for His Kingdom. To seek first the Kingdom is not a burden; it is a privilege. It is not a sacrifice; it is an investment. It is not a loss; it is the greatest gain.
Practical Application
Evaluate Your Priorities: Take an honest inventory of your life. What are you seeking first? Where do you spend most of your time? Where do you invest most of your resources? What occupies your thoughts? Be honest with yourself. If the Kingdom of God is not first, identify what is. Then, make a commitment to reorder your priorities.
Make the Kingdom First: Every day, start your day by seeking the Kingdom. Before you check your phone, before you turn on the news, before you start your work, spend time with God. Read your Bible. Pray. Worship. Put Him first. Let your first thoughts be of Him. Let your first words be to Him. Let your first priority be His Kingdom.
Lay Up Treasures in Heaven: Be intentional about investing in eternal things. Give generously. Serve faithfully. Forgive freely. Love sacrificially. Share the Gospel. Disciple others. Invest in people. These are the things that will last forever. These are the treasures that will never rust, never decay, and never be stolen.
Trust God for Your Needs: Instead of worrying about provision, trust God to provide. He knows what you need. He has promised to take care of you. He feeds the birds. He clothes the lilies. He will take care of you. Release your anxiety to Him. Trust His faithfulness. Rest in His provision.
Guard Your Heart: Since your heart follows your treasure, be careful what you treasure. Do not set your heart on earthly things. Do not let your affections be captured by the temporary. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:2). Guard your heart with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23). Protect it from the love of the world.
Simplify Your Life: The pursuit of earthly treasure often leads to complexity, stress, and exhaustion. The pursuit of the Kingdom leads to simplicity, peace, and joy. Simplify your life. Downsize if necessary. Reduce your commitments. Cut out what is unnecessary. Focus on what matters. Live simply so that you can live generously for the Kingdom.
Live with Eternity in View: Every decision you make should be made with eternity in mind. Will this matter in ten years? Will this matter in a hundred years? Will this matter in eternity? If the answer is no, it may not be worth pursuing. If the answer is yes, it is worth investing everything. Live with eternity in view. Live for what really matters.
Ask Yourself
What am I seeking first in my life?
Are my priorities aligned with God's Kingdom, or with the world?
Where is my treasure? Is it on earth or in heaven?
What is my heart attached to?
Am I anxious about provision, or am I trusting God to provide?
Am I investing in things that will last, or things that will pass away?
If I stood before God today, would I be able to say I sought first His Kingdom?
Reflection
What really matters? That is the question. It is the question that cuts through all the distractions, all the trivial pursuits, all the temporary obsessions. It is the question that determines the trajectory of your life, the quality of your relationships, the state of your soul, and your eternal destiny. What really matters?
The Kingdom of God matters. His righteousness matters. Your relationship with Him matters. Your obedience to Him matters. Your service to Him matters. Your generosity matters. Your love matters. Your faith matters. Your witness matters. Your character matters. Your eternal destiny matters. These are the things that really matter. These are the things that will last.
The things of this world do not matter. Money does not matter. Possessions do not matter. Status does not matter. Fame does not matter. Pleasure does not matter. Comfort does not matter. The things you accumulate will be left behind. The status you achieve will be forgotten. The wealth you build will be distributed to others. The only thing that matters is the Kingdom of God. It is eternal. It is lasting. It is the only investment that will never lose its value.
So seek first the Kingdom. Make it your priority. Make it your pursuit. Make it your passion. Lay up treasures in heaven. Invest in what lasts. Trust God for your needs. Guard your heart. Simplify your life. Live with eternity in view. And you will discover that when you seek first the Kingdom, everything else falls into place. You will discover that God is faithful. You will discover that He provides. You will discover that He is the greatest treasure of all. And you will discover that what really matters is not what you have, but who you know. It is not what you accumulate, but what you give. It is not what you achieve, but what you become. It is not what you do, but who you are in Christ. That is what really matters.
Prayer
Father, I confess that I have sought first everything but Your Kingdom. I have prioritized the temporary over the eternal. I have invested in things that will rust and decay. I have been anxious about provision. I have let my heart follow earthly treasure. Forgive me. Today, I choose to seek first Your Kingdom and Your righteousness. I choose to make You my priority. I choose to invest in what lasts. I choose to lay up treasures in heaven. I choose to trust You for my needs. I choose to guard my heart. I choose to simplify my life. I choose to live with eternity in view. Help me to keep You first. Help me to pursue You with all my heart. Help me to live for what really matters. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.
Declaration
I declare that I will seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. I will not be consumed with the things of this world. I will not lay up treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. I will lay up treasures in heaven where nothing can destroy and nothing can steal. My heart will follow my treasure, and my treasure is in heaven. I will trust God for my needs. I will not be anxious about provision. I will not worry about tomorrow. My heavenly Father knows what I need, and He will provide. I will make the Kingdom my priority. I will make God's righteousness my pursuit. I will live for what really matters. I will invest in what lasts. I will live with eternity in view. What really matters is the Kingdom of God, and I will seek it first.
Concluding Scripture
π Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
A Final Word
What really matters? That is the question. It is the question that cuts through all the distractions, all the trivial pursuits, all the temporary obsessions. It is the question that determines the trajectory of your life, the quality of your relationships, the state of your soul, and your eternal destiny. What really matters?
The Kingdom of God matters. His righteousness matters. Your relationship with Him matters. Your obedience to Him matters. Your service to Him matters. Your generosity matters. Your love matters. Your faith matters. Your witness matters. Your character matters. Your eternal destiny matters. These are the things that really matter. These are the things that will last.
The things of this world do not matter. Money does not matter. Possessions do not matter. Status does not matter. Fame does not matter. Pleasure does not matter. Comfort does not matter. The things you accumulate will be left behind. The status you achieve will be forgotten. The wealth you build will be distributed to others. The only thing that matters is the Kingdom of God. It is eternal. It is lasting. It is the only investment that will never lose its value.
So seek first the Kingdom. Make it your priority. Make it your pursuit. Make it your passion. Lay up treasures in heaven. Invest in what lasts. Trust God for your needs. Guard your heart. Simplify your life. Live with eternity in view. And you will discover that when you seek first the Kingdom, everything else falls into place. You will discover that God is faithful. You will discover that He provides. You will discover that He is the greatest treasure of all. And you will discover that what really matters is not what you have, but who you know. It is not what you accumulate, but what you give. It is not what you achieve, but what you become. It is not what you do, but who you are in Christ. That is what really matters.
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