"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."1
This word for added is from prós, "towards, with" and íthēmi, "to set, lay down." These things are added by God. What things are added? First in the kingdom of the world is money, putting trust in riches and material things, building storehouses and laying up treasure on earth. The Kingdom of God is opposite that of the world, it lays up treasure in heaven, and this type of wisdom from God builds upon trusting in Him. To seek Him first is to trust in Him, and all these things will be added.
"Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"3
Putting first the kingdom of God to some is a matter of reaping and sowing money, these speak of a God who meets your needs based upon what you sow. Such is convenient for them, millionaires, who gather up barn houses of riches from the children of God. Jesus said look at the birds they neither reap nor sow and God meets their needs. Worldly reasoning is that one must reap to sow, and some in the Church say God helps those who help themselves, but such wisdom is not in the Bible and contradicts scripture putting trust in man, not God. "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD."3b "Whoever trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered."3c
“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”5
The Kingdom of God is not a matter of gathering into barns. Remember the parable of the rich fool? "I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all... And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry. But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?” "So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God." 6 "what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"7 "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin."7a Consider the birds and the lilies, "Are you not of more value than they?"
"But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"8
Now, we see the issue with trusting in earthly riches, little faith. Do you see why it is so hard for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God? they put trust in their riches, but a poor man has not such to trust in but God. "Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?"9 Yes, I would rather hang out with one who is rich in faith, than one with many barn houses. If the poor are rich in faith then a Church that exalts the rich man is one that is poor in faith. "But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?"10
"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all."11
To seek First the Kingdom of God is to trust in God, not in earthly riches. I have come to learn the battle for the hearts of men begins with trust, so it is with God, he proves He is trustworthy. Anything else doesn't truly believe, endure, nor bears with you. Jesus sent out the disciples, without money, for this lesson in trust. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." It is a great lesson, one I have found difficult. Having been alone since I was fifteen, I have accomplished much in life, or I should say I have accomplished what the world would seem of value. This important lesson in trust is more valuable than silver and gold, it is fruit that leads to Life. “I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?"12
"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?"
Oh My Soul
This word for added is from prós, "towards, with" and íthēmi, "to set, lay down." These things are added by God. What things are added? First in the kingdom of the world is money, putting trust in riches and material things, building storehouses and laying up treasure on earth. The Kingdom of God is opposite that of the world, it lays up treasure in heaven, and this type of wisdom from God builds upon trusting in Him. To seek Him first is to trust in Him, and all these things will be added.
"Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"3
Putting first the kingdom of God to some is a matter of reaping and sowing money, these speak of a God who meets your needs based upon what you sow. Such is convenient for them, millionaires, who gather up barn houses of riches from the children of God. Jesus said look at the birds they neither reap nor sow and God meets their needs. Worldly reasoning is that one must reap to sow, and some in the Church say God helps those who help themselves, but such wisdom is not in the Bible and contradicts scripture putting trust in man, not God. "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD."3b "Whoever trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered."3c
“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”5
The Kingdom of God is not a matter of gathering into barns. Remember the parable of the rich fool? "I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all... And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry. But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?” "So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God." 6 "what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"7 "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin."7a Consider the birds and the lilies, "Are you not of more value than they?"
"But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"8
Now, we see the issue with trusting in earthly riches, little faith. Do you see why it is so hard for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God? they put trust in their riches, but a poor man has not such to trust in but God. "Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?"9 Yes, I would rather hang out with one who is rich in faith, than one with many barn houses. If the poor are rich in faith then a Church that exalts the rich man is one that is poor in faith. "But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?"10
"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all."11
To seek First the Kingdom of God is to trust in God, not in earthly riches. I have come to learn the battle for the hearts of men begins with trust, so it is with God, he proves He is trustworthy. Anything else doesn't truly believe, endure, nor bears with you. Jesus sent out the disciples, without money, for this lesson in trust. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." It is a great lesson, one I have found difficult. Having been alone since I was fifteen, I have accomplished much in life, or I should say I have accomplished what the world would seem of value. This important lesson in trust is more valuable than silver and gold, it is fruit that leads to Life. “I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?"12
"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?"
Oh My Soul