“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:31-33)
What’s the difference between a child of God and a pagan (someone who does not serve the one true God)? One difference, according to Jesus in this passage, is that pagans are consumed with worry about what they will eat, drink, and wear. God’s kids, on the other hand, assume that because He loves them and is powerful enough to care for them He will provide what they need when they need it.
What practical difference would that make? For one thing, it should free up God’s kids to do other things with their mental and emotional energy — like spending their inner lives in a continual treasure hunt for evidence of God’s kingdom and His righteousness.
According to Jesus, God’s only birth Son, all of us who make our first job in life to discover the realm and rightness of our Father will see Him provide for all of our needs time after time after time. In other words, while we’re always on the lookout for what He’s doing in our world, He never loses track of what we need.
Think: What do you do in your life to actively “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness”?
Pray: Ask God to help you to never make your to-do list more important than seeking Him.
Do: Tell someone this week about one way in which God has provided for your most basic needs.