The Cost and the Kingdom
Scripture
Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Devotion
Pastor D pointed to Matthew 6:33 in the context of worry about clothes, food, and daily needs. Jesus doesn’t deny those needs; instead He reorders them: “Seek first the kingdom… and all these things shall be added.”
Performance mode is often driven by what “all these things” can do for us: money, security, reputation, comfort. We work harder, volunteer more, take on more responsibility—sometimes just to secure a sense of worth, or to manipulate outcomes. Our jobs, our schedules, even our serving can become self-centered: “If I do this, I’ll get that.”
Following Christ re-centers everything: the kingdom first. Pastor made it plain: to follow will cost you time, energy, money. It will cost you pieces of yourself you didn’t know existed. Your calendar will change. Your priorities will change. Your wallet will notice. Your flesh will protest.
But the promise is: when the kingdom is first, God Himself takes responsibility for “all these things.” Following isn’t free, but performing for earthly rewards is far more expensive—and emptier. You can gain the badge, the role, the recognition, and still miss the reward that matters most: the Father’s “Well done” and the joy of walking closely with Jesus.
Reflection
Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Devotion
Pastor D pointed to Matthew 6:33 in the context of worry about clothes, food, and daily needs. Jesus doesn’t deny those needs; instead He reorders them: “Seek first the kingdom… and all these things shall be added.”
Performance mode is often driven by what “all these things” can do for us: money, security, reputation, comfort. We work harder, volunteer more, take on more responsibility—sometimes just to secure a sense of worth, or to manipulate outcomes. Our jobs, our schedules, even our serving can become self-centered: “If I do this, I’ll get that.”
Following Christ re-centers everything: the kingdom first. Pastor made it plain: to follow will cost you time, energy, money. It will cost you pieces of yourself you didn’t know existed. Your calendar will change. Your priorities will change. Your wallet will notice. Your flesh will protest.
But the promise is: when the kingdom is first, God Himself takes responsibility for “all these things.” Following isn’t free, but performing for earthly rewards is far more expensive—and emptier. You can gain the badge, the role, the recognition, and still miss the reward that matters most: the Father’s “Well done” and the joy of walking closely with Jesus.
Reflection
- In your real week (calendar, spending, energy), what seems to come “first” practically: God’s kingdom, or “all these things”?
- Where is fear about provision, security, or status pushing you into performance rather than trust?
- Identify one concrete way to “seek first” the kingdom this week (time in prayer/Word, generosity, obedience in a hard area), and do it deliberately as an act of trust.