Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,and all these things will be given you as well. (Matthew 6:33).
Are you seeking the kingdom of God first as the Bible says? Some people use principles of the Bible for earthly gain, without seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. In using the principles of the Bible to pursue earthly success, motivational speakers often leave God out, false preachers frequently marginalize the Lord.
Following are some biblical principles that many use to pursue earthly gain, without primarily focusing on and seeking the kingdom and will of God.
- As a man thinks so is he (Proverbs 23:7)—Positive thinking causes success.
- The profit of the earth is for all (Ecclesiastes 5:9)—You have a right to the riches of the world.
- The hands of the diligent shall rule (Proverbs 12:24)—You can be at the head, if you work hard.
A person shares how the principles of the Bible helped him with his life’s problems, after his seeking God’s kingdom first.
Christian Psychologist Dr. Henry Cloud tells us in his book, The Secret Things of God, that he learned about the benefits of following Bible principles at a point in his life when he was desperate for help. He was a sophomore in college, experiencing the pains of a broken relationship, a failed career dream and living with a haunting depression every day.
For some unexplainable reason, Henry said his attention was drawn to the Bible on his bookshelf, which he had not read since being in college. When he randomly opens it, he said his eye fell on a verse of scripture that seem to leap off the page.
But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given you as well. (Matthew 6:33).
He read the next verse, and it said:
Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow,
For tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matt 6:34)
In his embrace of these sciptures, he said God helped him through his personal troubles and gave him guidance for his life. This was when he started to learn about the benefits of Bible principles, which he calls “the secret things of God.” Being led by these God’s principles he embraced, he eventually achieved a doctorate degree in psychology, with training in theology as part of the program. God equipped him as a clinical psychologist to be able to help people with their personal and spiritual problems.
The person who shared how he was helped by seeking the kingdom of God first, also tell us about some Bible principles he uses to help others with their problems.
- .He that harkens to counsel is wise (Proverbs 12:15).
- The discretion of a man defers his anger (Proverbs 19:11).
- Do not rescue an angry man, or you will have to do it again tomorrow (Proverbs 19:19).
- Whosoever keeps his mouth and tongue keeps his self from trouble (Psalms 21:27).
Dr. Cloud says, millions of people have been helped in the co- dependency area of psychology, by application of the above principles of scriptures. After years of practicing as a clinical psychologist, the doctor says he is greatly inspired by the scriptures, when he sees “the secret things of God validated by research and clinical practice” (p.8).
People who have experienced the benefits of seeking God’s kingdom first, look for opportunities, even while helping others, to witness about entering the and knowing the King—Jesus Christ.
The goodness of God, even through others, may leads you to repentsnce. When you repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, as the Bible says, you enter the kingdom of God (John 3:16-18; Romans 6:23). Following your acceptance of Jesus as your Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit helps you to be conformed to the image of God’s Son (John 16:13;Romans 8:29). After you have entered the spiritual kingdom of God by delighting in the Lord, he gives you the desires of your heart and takes care of all your needs (Psalm 137:4; Matthew 6:33). And beyond earthly blessings, the Lord prepares you to live with him in heaven forever (John !4:3).
