Pentecost Week Eighteen - Day Four - Seek First the Kingdom

Day Four - Seek First the Kingdom

New Testament: Luke 12:29-31
Old Testament: 1 Kings 3:5-13

 “Seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” In just one sentence, He redefines our priorities and invites us to reorder our lives around God’s purposes.

This isn’t a call to neglect our earthly needs or responsibilities.

Instead, it’s a reminder that when we put God first, He takes care of everything else.

But then – that is the hard part is it not!

Historical Context
Jesus’ teaching would have reminded His listeners of King Solomon, a figure renowned for his wisdom and favor with God. In 1 Kings 3, Solomon has a remarkable encounter with the Lord.
God appears to him in a dream and offers to grant him anything he desires. Solomon could have asked for wealth, power, or a long life, but instead, he asks for wisdom—a discerning heart to govern God’s people well.

This request pleases God so much that He not only grants Solomon unparalleled wisdom but also blesses him with riches and honor.

Solomon’s story is a powerful example of what happens when we prioritize God’s will over our own desires. By seeking God’s kingdom first, Solomon received far more than he could have imagined.

For Jesus’ audience, this teaching would have been both comforting and countercultural. Many of them lived in poverty, struggling to provide for their families under Roman rule.

The idea of seeking God’s kingdom first, instead of worrying about their basic needs, required a deep level of trust.

Yet Jesus assures them that their Heavenly Father knows their needs and will provide for them as they focus on His kingdom.

Jesus builds on this story, reminding His followers that this principle applies to all of us.

Modern Context
In our fast-paced world, Jesus’ call to “seek first the kingdom” offers a much-needed shift in perspective. Our culture pushes us to chase success, possessions, and recognition, often leaving little room for God.

While these pursuits aren’t inherently wrong, they can easily take priority over what truly matters.

Jesus invites us to live differently, placing God’s priorities above our own. But what does that look like? Easy read the scripture again – the answer is tucked right in there.

“Seek His kingdom!"
 Seek that First – not cultural distractions, not a different church with a different message (my goodness no).
 
You don’t seek it by getting into arguments on Facebook with non-Christian friends.

How do you seek His Kingdom? Well – spoiler alert – it’s already inside you.

Say, “Hi Holy Spirit”.  Be honest, have you had a conversation with Him lately?

What has He been advocating for you? I guarantee it has not been to slip over to the bad habits and lack of prayer.

Seeking His kingdom means valuing eternal impact (where the Holy Spirit leads you) over temporary success and trusting that our true treasure is found in Him.

This doesn’t mean neglecting our responsibilities but approaching them with faith, trusting God’s control instead of striving for our own.

Living this way might mean letting go of the need to control everything, investing more time in prayer, or re-evaluating your priorities. It’s not always easy, but when we put God first, we experience the peace and joy of living in alignment with His will—trusting that He will provide for all our needs.

Reflection
Here is an idea. Think about your current priorities. Are there areas of your life where you’ve been chasing after temporary things instead of eternal ones?

Take some time to reflect on what it means to trust God with your needs and to prioritize His purposes in your life.

Ask Him to reveal any areas where you’ve been holding back and invite Him to help you realign your heart with His kingdom.

Prayer
Lord, thank You for the reminder that true satisfaction is found in seeking Your kingdom.
Forgive me for the times I’ve chased after temporary things and neglected what matters most.
Help me to trust You with my needs and to live in alignment with Your will.
Teach me to seek Your kingdom above all else, knowing that You are faithful to provide.
Thank You for Your love, grace, and faithfulness.
Amen.