Discipleship (Part 2): Right Priorities
But seek first His [God's] Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33 [NASB])What is the Kingdom of God? And, what are 'all these things' Jesus referred to? Well, the context will explain it. If we go back and start to read from verse 19 onwards, we'll find out. Jesus is teaching concerning right living, and here in particular when it comes to our priorities in the area of finance. In other words, where is our focus and were do we place our trust? Is it worldly riches and job securities or do we have heavenly priorities and trust in God? Storing up treasures in heaven is a way of speaking about seeking God and His purposes, and not following the selfish ways of people around us. The believer in God has a distinguished lifestyle, in that God and His will are the highest priority in life. If one contemplates on world history, the conclusion is drawn fast: human selfishness and quest for wealth and power corrupt and are the number one causes for war, injustice, and misery. Many mistakenly think that religion is the main cause for war, but that is certainly wrong. Although religion played a major role in medieval politics, it was the abuse of religion and most of all the quest for power that was the driving force behind decisions and their consequences. What is important to Jesus - who, too, by the way, spoke out against the misuse of religion - is that His followers have their priorities right and understand that religion is a matter of heart attitude with corresponding action (cf. Mt 6:1-18 where He taught on piety). It goes on as the next set of verses (vv 22-24) make clear.
This may be a vexing passage, but once Hebrew idioms are understood, it makes perfect sense. A 'bad eye' speaks of greed; a 'good eye' of generosity - these are Hebrew idioms. Proverbs 22:9 literally reads that a the one with a good eye is blessed for he has given bread to the poor. It is simply an idiom for generosity, as is already implied in several modern English translations (e.g., NASB, NIV, NET). So, if a person is generous that generosity of heart - often emphasised by Jesus - will cause 'light' - that which is good - to take effect in the whole person (the bad stuff comes from greed - and, again, world history - not to speak of modern history! - proves this beyond dispute: where there is money there is greed, and where there is greed there is corruption and injustince). The whole context of these verses further underlie the fact that Jesus speaks about money and our heart attitude towards it. One cannot be divided in this matter: we have to either serve and trust God or seek after wealth (v 24). Now, it has often been wrongly understood that Christians should be poor. We can, however, understand from Scripture that it is not wrong to be rich as long as one is not greedy and uses his or her wealth to do good things (see 1Ti 6). It is the love of money and selfish quest for riches that corrupts. The Bible is clear that hard work will be rewarded and that God blesses the righteous, even with money and riches - the difference is, they come from God and are gained in a correct manner and a right attitude (e.g., Prov 10:22; 14:23-24). So, a rich and generous person will be blessed and is, at the same time, a blessing for others - that's how it's supposed to be!
Hence, as one is generous, no worries need to accompany our daily lives. Jesus draws on illustrations from nature - the lillies and birds - to show how God is the Provider over all of His Creation. Worrying doesn't help - it never does; it fact, it makes things worse! So, stop worrying and start trusting God. The believer who seeks first God's kingdom, that is, His rule and will, and His righteousness, that is, the purity of heart with corresponding fruit (cf. vv1-18), has nothing to worry as God will richly provide (v 33). In fact, God does - of course - know that we need shelter, clothing, food, ect., and will provide all things richly (cf. Phil 4:19; 1Ti 6:17). 'All these things' does, therefore, speak of God's provision as a loving Father who knows what we need. It is here that our trust (faith) in God will keep us calm and secure, nevermind the outward circumstances. But, and the condition is crucial, it is for those who have right priorities and live for God wholeheartedly. God is a merciful Provider for all those who call on Him; He has given so much even for people who don't care for God at all (cf. Mt 5:45), so how much more for those who love Him and seek a righteous lifestyle? Nothing to fear, nothing to worry for those who have right priorities and live for God wholeheartedly.
Shalom,
Gordon
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