Seek first the kingdom of god bible verse

The Priority Principle: The Ultimate Biblical Guide to “Seek First the Kingdom”

Part 1: The Scripture Collection (60 Verses)

I have curated these verses to cover the command to seek, the value of the Kingdom, the posture of the heart, and the promise of provision.

The Core Command & Kingdom Priority

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. Colossians 3:1 – “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”

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

5. Matthew 13:44 – “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”

6. Matthew 13:45-46 – “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

7. Matthew 6:10 – “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

8. Matthew 6:19-21 – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth… but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

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

10. Romans 14:17 – “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

11. 1 Corinthians 10:31 – “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

12. 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 all the days of my life.”

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

14. Amos 5:4 – “For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel: ‘Seek me and live.'”

15. Amos 5:14 – “Seek good, and not evil, that you may live.”

16. Isaiah 26:9 – “My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you.”

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

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

19. Proverbs 8:17 – “I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.”

20. Hebrews 11:6 – “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

Trusting God for Provision (The Result of Seeking)

21. Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

22. Psalm 34:10 – “The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”

23. Psalm 37:25 – “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.”

24. Matthew 6:25 – “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink.”

25. Matthew 6:31-32 – “For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.”

26. Luke 12:22-23 – “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life… For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.”

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

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

29. Romans 8:32 – “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”

30. 1 Timothy 6:6 – “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

31. 1 Peter 5:7 – “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

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

33. Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart… In all your ways acknowledge him.”

Singleness of Heart & Focus

34. Luke 9:62 – “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

35. Joshua 24:15 – “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

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

37. Psalm 119:10 – “With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!”

38. 2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If my people… pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven.”

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

40. Hosea 10:12 – “Sow for yourselves righteousness… for it is time to seek the Lord.”

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

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

43. 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.”

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

45. Zephaniah 2:3 – “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility.”

46. Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

47. Galatians 2:20 – “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”

48. Philippians 3:8 – “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

49. Philippians 3:13-14 – “One thing I do… I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God.”

50. John 6:27 – “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life.”

The Kingdom Mindset

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

52. Luke 10:41-42 – “Martha, Martha… but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion.”

53. Matthew 7:7 – “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find.”

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

55. 1 John 2:15 – “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

56. 1 John 2:17 – “And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

57. James 4:8 – “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”

58. Psalm 16:8 – “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.”

59. Psalm 1:1-2 – “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

60. Acts 17:27 – “That they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him.”

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

I have analyzed the most active discussions on r/Christianity, GotQuestions, and Christian Finance forums to address the real-world application of “Seek First.”

1. Q: Does “Seek First” mean I should quit my job and become a missionary? A: No. Seeking first is about priority, not necessarily geography. It means submitting your current job, finances, and time to God’s rule. You can seek the Kingdom as an accountant just as much as a pastor by working with integrity and excellence.

2. Q: How can I seek the Kingdom when I have so many bills to pay? A: Jesus gave this command specifically in the context of worrying about food and clothing. Seeking Him first creates the spiritual atmosphere where anxiety diminishes and you gain wisdom to manage your finances better. It’s an antidote to worry, not a denial of responsibility.

3. Q: What does “His Righteousness” mean in this verse? A: It means seeking to live in a way that aligns with God’s character (holiness, justice, love) and relying on the righteousness given to us through faith in Christ, rather than our own self-righteousness.

4. Q: If I seek God first, will He make me rich? A: “All these things” refers to needs (food, clothing), not greeds (mansions, luxury). He promises provision, not excess. The “Prosperity Gospel” distorts this; the true Gospel promises care.

5. Q: How do I know if I am seeking God first or just seeking success? A: Check your anxiety levels. If losing a worldly opportunity destroys your peace, your treasure was likely earthly. If you can say “God’s will be done” and sleep soundly, you are seeking the Kingdom.

6. Q: Can I still have hobbies and seek the Kingdom? A: Yes. God created pleasure. Hobbies become idols only when they displace God from the center. A Kingdom mindset enjoys hobbies with gratitude to the Creator.

7. Q: How do I “seek first” in my dating life? A: Prioritize spiritual character over physical appearance or financial status. Ask: “Will this person help me run closer to God?”

8. Q: What if I seek God but things still go wrong? A: The promise is “provision,” not “perfection.” Jesus sought the Kingdom perfectly and still went to the Cross. Sometimes the “thing added” is strength to endure the storm.

9. Q: Is “seeking” a one-time thing? A: No, the Greek verb tense implies a continuous, ongoing action. “Keep on seeking.” It is a daily lifestyle, not a one-time decision.

10. Q: How do I start my day seeking the Kingdom? A: Give God the “firstfruits” of your time. Before social media or email, spend 5 minutes in prayer or Scripture.

11. Q: What is the “Kingdom of God”? A: It is the rule and reign of God. It is present now in our hearts and will be fully realized in the future. Seeking it means submitting to His Kingly authority in every area of life.

12. Q: Does tithing relate to seeking first? A: Yes. Tithing is the tangible demonstration that God is first in your finances. It breaks the grip of mammon.

13. Q: How do I seek the Kingdom when I’m depressed? A: Seeking looks different in the valley. Sometimes “seeking” is just whispering, “God, I trust You,” while in tears. He is near to the brokenhearted.

14. Q: Can I seek the Kingdom for my children? A: You can model it and pray for it, but they must eventually seek it for themselves. Your job is to create an environment where the Kingdom is visible.

15. Q: What distracts us most from seeking the Kingdom today? A: The “tyranny of the urgent.” Phones, notifications, and the hustle culture occupy our minds so fully that God gets the leftovers.

16. Q: Is ambition a sin? A: Selfish ambition is. Kingdom ambition (striving to use your talents to glorify God and serve others) is holy.

17. Q: How do I handle anxiety while waiting for God to provide? A: Turn the anxiety into prayer (Phil 4:6). Every time you worry, use it as a prompt to say, “Lord, I seek You in this need.”

18. Q: What does “all these things” include? A: Contextually: Food, drink, clothing. The basics of survival.

19. Q: Why did Jesus say the Gentiles seek these things? A: Gentiles (unbelievers) live as if this life is all there is. Believers live with an eternal perspective.

20. Q: Is planning for retirement a lack of faith? A: No. The Bible commends the ant for storing up provisions. Planning is stewardship; hoarding and trusting in the money is idolatry.

21. Q: How does fasting help me seek the Kingdom? A: Fasting disconnects us from the physical to connect us to the spiritual. It declares, “I need God more than food.”

22. Q: Can I seek the Kingdom at school? A: Yes. By studying with excellence (Col 3:23) and treating classmates with love, you bring the Kingdom into the classroom.

23. Q: What if my spouse doesn’t want to seek the Kingdom? A: You seek it. Your pursuit of God may sanctify the home (1 Cor 7:14). Do not let their apathy stop your pursuit.

24. Q: How do I know if I’ve found the Kingdom? A: You will experience “Righteousness, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17).

25. Q: Is “Seek First” a command or a promise? A: It is both. The command is to seek; the promise is that God will take care of the rest.

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Part 3: 15 Actionable Tips for Daily Application

At Work & Career

1. The “First Hour” Rule: Dedicate the first 5 minutes of work to praying over your tasks. “Lord, let Your Kingdom come in this office today.”

2. Integrity as Worship: When tempted to cut corners, choose integrity. This seeks His righteousness over quick profit.

3. The “Kingdom” Filter: Before accepting a promotion, ask: “Will this draw me closer to God or pull me away?”

4. Servant Leadership: Seek to serve your colleagues rather than just climbing the ladder. This reflects the King who washed feet.

In Studies (School/University)

5. Excellence: Study not just for grades, but to develop the mind God gave you. Use your education to prepare for future Kingdom service.

6. Witness: Be known as the student who brings peace, not drama. “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

7. Priorities: Don’t skip church for studying. Trust that if you give God His time, He will redeem your study time.

Social Life & Relationships

8. The “God-Talk” Shift: In conversations, don’t be afraid to mention what God is doing in your life. It normalizes Kingdom talk.

9. Choosing Friends: Surround yourself with people who are also running the race (2 Tim 2:22).

10. Generosity: Pick up the check. Generosity breaks the spirit of greed and demonstrates trust in God’s provision.

Family & Home

11. Morning Liturgy: Before the chaos starts, gather the family for a 2-minute prayer. “As for me and my house…”

12. Budgeting: Create a budget that puts “Giving” at the top, not the bottom. This literally puts the Kingdom first financially.

13. Sabbath Rest: Take a day off. It declares to your family that God runs the world, not you.

14. Forgiveness: Model quick forgiveness. A Kingdom home is a home of grace.

15. Screen-Free Zones: Create spaces in the home where focus is on each other and God, not the world’s noise.

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Part 4: Bonus – Life Improvement via the “Jesus Method”

How applying “Seek First” upgrades your finances, marriage, and parenting.

• Financial Upgrade (Stewardship): When you view money as God’s (Kingdom perspective), you stop impulse buying to fill emotional voids. You save, give, and spend wisely. This leads to financial freedom, not just spiritual feeling. “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

• Marriage Upgrade (Covenant): A marriage where both partners seek God first is a “Triangle.” As you both move closer to God (the top point), you inevitably move closer to each other. It removes the pressure for your spouse to be your “savior.”

• Parenting Upgrade (Discipleship): Seeking the Kingdom means parenting for the heart, not just behavior modification. You raise children who know why they do right (to please the King), which builds internal character that lasts when they leave home.