Summary

Seek first the kingdom of god bible verse

Seek first the kingdom of god bible verse

The Ultimate Guide to Matthew 6:33: Seek First The Kingdom

Part 1: The Curated List of Verses (The Core 50)

 

While thousands of verses speak of God, only a select few carry the specific theological weight of prioritizing the spiritual over the material. Below is a categorized list of the top 50 Bible verses that align perfectly with the spirit of “Seek First.”

The Foundational Command

 

1. Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

2. Luke 12:31 – “Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.”

3. Matthew 6:19-21 – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth… but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

4. Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and money.”

Setting the Mind Above (The Mindset of Seeking)

 

5. Colossians 3:1 – “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is.”

6. Colossians 3:2 – “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

7. Romans 8:5 – “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.”

8. Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”

9. Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers… if there is any excellence… think about these things.”

10. 2 Corinthians 4:18 – “As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.”

11. Philippians 3:20 – “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior.”

12. Hebrews 12:2 – “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.”

13. 1 John 2:15 – “Do not love the world or the things in the world.”

14. 1 John 2:17 – “The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

The Wholehearted Pursuit (How We Seek)

 

15. Jeremiah 29:13 – “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”

16. Deuteronomy 4:29 – “But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart.”

17. Psalm 27:4 – “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord.”

18. Psalm 63:1 – “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you.”

19. Psalm 105:4 – “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”

20. Amos 5:4 – “Seek me and live.”

21. Hebrews 11:6 – “He rewards those who seek him.”

22. Psalm 34:10 – “Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”

23. Proverbs 8:17 – “Those who seek me diligently find me.”

24. Psalm 14:2 – “The Lord looks down… to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.”

25. Psalm 119:2 – “Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart.”

26. 2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If my people… pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven.”

27. Lamentations 3:25 – “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.”

28. Psalm 9:10 – “For you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.”

29. Isaiah 55:6 – “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near.”

The Value of the Kingdom (Why We Seek)

 

30. Matthew 13:44 – “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.”

31. Matthew 13:45-46 – “Like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had.”

32. Philippians 3:7 – “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.”

33. Philippians 3:8 – “I count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”

34. Psalm 73:25 – “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.”

35. Mark 8:36 – “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”

36. Psalm 16:11 – “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

37. Psalm 84:10 – “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.”

Trusting Provision (The Result of Seeking First)

 

38. Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will supply every need of yours.”

39. Psalm 37:4 – “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

40. Psalm 23:1 – “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

41. Matthew 6:25 – “Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink.”

42. Matthew 6:26 – “Look at the birds… are you not of more value than they?”

43. 1 Peter 5:7 – “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

44. Psalm 34:9 – “Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack.”

45. Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.”

46. Isaiah 26:3 – “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you.”

47. Psalm 84:11 – “No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

48. Joshua 1:8 – “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth… for then you will make your way prosperous.”

49. John 15:5 – “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.”

50. Psalm 1:1-3 – “He is like a tree planted by streams of water… in all that he does, he prospers.”

Part 2: Top 25 Forum Q&A (The Believer’s Struggle)

 

I have scanned the most active threads in Christian communities (Reddit, Quora, Bible Study Fellowship groups) to bring you the most common questions and biblically sound answers regarding “Seeking First.”

1. Q: Does “Seek First” mean I shouldn’t care about my career or making money? A: No. It establishes priority, not passivity. You work with excellence (Col 3:23) as a steward, but your security comes from God, not your paycheck.

2. Q: How do I know if I’m seeking the Kingdom or just seeking my own success? A: Check your anxiety levels. If losing a worldly opportunity devastates you, your treasure was likely earthly. If you can say “God’s will be done” with peace, you are seeking Him first.

3. Q: I’m drowning in debt. Is it irresponsible to “wait on God”? A: Seeking God first includes using the wisdom He gave you. Create a budget, work hard, and pray. Seeking Him isn’t ignoring bills; it’s trusting Him to guide you out of debt without panic.

4. Q: Can I seek God first and still have hobbies like gaming or sports? A: Yes, if they are kept in their proper place. If a hobby prevents you from prayer, church, or family duties, it has become an idol.

5. Q: How do I “Seek First” when dating? A: Prioritize spiritual compatibility over physical attraction or loneliness. Do not date someone who pulls you away from the Kingdom (2 Cor 6:14).

6. Q: Does “all these things will be added” mean I will be rich? A: No. The context (Matt 6:31) refers to needs: food, drink, clothing. It promises provision and care, not luxury.

7. Q: I pray every morning, but I still feel anxious. Am I failing? A: Anxiety is a human emotion, not always a sin. Seeking first is a daily discipline of handing that anxiety back to God. It is a direction, not perfection.

8. Q: What does “His Righteousness” mean in this verse? A: It means seeking to live in a way that aligns with God’s character—integrity, love, holiness—rather than creating your own rules for life.

9. Q: I don’t have time to read the Bible for hours. How can I seek Him? A: It’s about heart posture. Can you listen to the Bible on your commute? Can you pray while washing dishes? God looks at the heart, not just the clock.

10. Q: Is it wrong to plan for the future? A: No. Proverbs is full of wisdom on planning. But plan with an open hand, saying, “If the Lord wills, we will do this or that” (James 4:15).

11. Q: How do I teach my kids to seek God first in a materialistic world? A: Model it. Let them see you praying before you pay bills. Let them see you giving generously even when things are tight.

12. Q: I lost my job. How do I apply Matthew 6:33 right now? A: Treat your job search as your ministry. Pray before interviews. Trust that God is your Provider, and the company is just the resource He uses.

13. Q: Can I seek the Kingdom and still have ambitions? A: Absolutely. But your ambition should be to glorify God through your achievements, rather than seeking fame for yourself.

14. Q: What if my spouse doesn’t want to seek the Kingdom? A: You seek it. Your quiet, respectful, and holy conduct can win them over without a word (1 Peter 3:1).

15. Q: Does seeking the Kingdom mean I have to be a pastor or missionary? A: No. You can seek the Kingdom as an accountant, a mother, or a mechanic. The “Kingdom” is God’s rule and reign in your daily sphere of influence.

16. Q: I feel guilty when I buy nice things. Is this wrong? A: God gives us things to enjoy (1 Tim 6:17). The sin is trusting in those things or unwilling to share them.

17. Q: How do I start the day seeking Him first? A: Before you check your phone/social media, give God the “first fruits” of your time. Even 5 minutes of prayer sets the trajectory for the day.

18. Q: I keep failing and sinning. Can I still seek Him? A: Yes. Seeking Him includes seeking His forgiveness. A righteous man falls seven times and gets up again (Prov 24:16).

19. Q: What is the “Kingdom of God”? A: It is the spiritual realm where God’s will is done. It is both a present reality (in our hearts) and a future hope (heaven).

20. Q: How does fasting relate to seeking first? A: Fasting disconnects us from the physical (food) to connect us to the spiritual, reminding our bodies that we need God more than bread.

21. Q: My friends think I’m crazy for trusting God with my finances. What do I do? A: Pray for them. Let your life be the testimony. When God provides, give Him the glory publicly.

22. Q: Is tithing part of seeking first? A: For many, yes. It is a tangible declaration that God comes before our financial comfort.

23. Q: How do I seek God when I am depressed? A: Sometimes seeking Him looks like just surviving and whispering, “God, help me.” He is close to the brokenhearted.

24. Q: Does seeking God guarantee a happy life? A: It guarantees a meaningful, supported, and eternal life. It does not guarantee the absence of pain, but it guarantees His presence in the pain.

25. Q: What is the biggest distraction to seeking the Kingdom today? A: Distraction itself. Constant noise, phones, and entertainment that crowd out the “still small voice” of God.

Part 3: 20 Actionable Tips for Daily Application

 

For Work & Career

 

1. The First 5 Minutes: Arrive 5 minutes early, sit in your car/desk, and dedicate the workday to God.

2. Integrity Check: When tempted to cut corners or lie, ask: “Does this align with His Righteousness?”

3. The “Colossians 3:23” Standard: Work as if Jesus is your boss. Submit excellent work.

4. Reaction Gap: When a coworker angers you, pray silently before responding.

5. Stewardship: Treat company resources/money with better care than your own.

For Studies & School

 

6. Study as Worship: View your ability to learn as a gift. Studying hard is a way to honor the mind God gave you.

7. Exam Peace: Pray before every exam: “Lord, help me recall what I studied. I trust the results to You.”

8. Avoid Cheating: Prioritize righteousness over the grade. A “B” with integrity is better than an “A” with deceit.

9. Choose Friends Wisely: Surround yourself with peers who encourage your walk, not distract from it.

10. Digital Detox: Turn off the phone while studying to practice discipline and focus.

For Social Life

 

11. Listen More: Kingdom people are quick to hear and slow to speak (James 1:19).

12. No Gossip Zone: Refuse to participate in tearing others down. Change the subject.

13. Generosity: Buy a friend coffee unexpectedly. Show God’s love through small acts.

14. Be Authentic: Don’t wear a “mask.” Admit when you are struggling; it invites others to be real too.

15. Kingdom Eyes: Look for the lonely person in the room and talk to them.

For Family Life

 

16. Servant Leadership: If you want to lead your family, serve them first (wash dishes, play with kids, listen to spouse).

17. Forgive Quickly: Don’t let the sun go down on your anger. Keep short accounts.

18. Prayer Rituals: Establish one daily touchpoint (mealtime or bedtime) where the family prays together.

19. Sabbath Rest: Protect one day a week for family and God. No work emails.

20. Speak Life: Use words that build up your spouse and children, affirming their identity in God.