Matthew 6:33

III. SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM.

33. Seek ye first the kingdom of God.

The way of the Gentiles and of the world is to seek first earthly things. The interests of this world are constantly given the pre-eminence. Christ has said that if we do our duty, as the bird and the lily do theirs, we will have our temporal wants supplied. He here tells us what is the first and great duty. It is to seek. place in the kingdom that he is about to establish and to promote its ends. The promise is made that if we seek it first, and its righteousness, that all earthly wants will be supplied. The condition demands, 1. That we seek the kingdom first in point of time. Some propose to secure. competence and after they have gained it, they will serve God. 2. We must make it first in importance. We must not say, "After. prove. yoke of oxen, get. piece of land, or get me. wife,". will look after the interests of the kingdom. Everything else must give way before its demands. 3. It must be first in our affections, have our whole hearts. We must "love the Lord our God with the whole heart," etc. The King and the Kingdom will occupy no second place. To those who seek and make the Kingdom first in these ways it is promised that earthly blessings shall be added. We may follow earthly callings, sow and reap, but our hearts and lives are to be given to the Kingdom, and if they are we may dismiss all anxiety, for "God will provide." Who has ever heard of. true, devout, and faithful saint starving, or freezing from want of raiment!

His righteousness.

The righteousness that God bestows upon those who are in the Kingdom, Christ's righteousness, the forgiveness of sins in his name.