Scripture Reading
Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Matthew 6:24 (KJV)
“No man can serve two masters… Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
1 Timothy 6:10 (KJV)
“For the love of money is the root of all evil…”
Proverbs 9:10 (KJV)
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
A Personal Note
Today I was thinking about how to keep the Lord first while still doing all the parts of life—work, bills, responsibilities, and the things that just need to get done. As I prayed and thought about this, I began looking at what Scripture actually says about seeking God first. What came out of that reflection is this devotional, and I wanted to share it with you all.
Finding Your Way in the Midst of Life’s Worries and Concerns
Life pulls us in many directions. We need to work, take care of our families, meet deadlines, pay bills, and keep up with everything life requires. These things matter. But Jesus gives us a simple and life-changing instruction:
Seek the kingdom of God first.
“First” does not mean ignoring everything else.
It means letting God guide our priorities before anything else takes over.
When God is first, the heart finds peace.
When He is not first, even small things can feel heavy.
Jesus invites us into a way of living where our priorities stay aligned and our hearts stay steady.
1. The Call to Seek the Kingdom
Centered on Matthew 6:33
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness…”
Jesus spoke these words to people worried about food, clothes, and the future. Instead of telling them to stop caring, He taught them where to begin.
To “seek” is to pursue something on purpose.
To seek the kingdom “first” means letting God shape your thoughts, decisions, and motives.
Seeking God first shows up in simple, everyday ways:
Spending time with the Lord
Reading the Bible
Fellowshipping with believers
Choosing honesty
Working with integrity
Treating others with kindness
Praying before planning
Trusting God when fear rises
Seeking God is not leaving life behind.
It is inviting God into every part of life.
2. The Choice Between Two Masters
Centered on Matthew 6:24
“No man can serve two masters… Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
Every heart has one master. Something will always come first. When money, fear, success, or security takes that place, they become “mammon,” a false master that rules instead of serves.
This false master creates:
Worry
Stress
Restlessness
Divided loyalty
Troubled relationships
Opportunities for sin
But when God is our Master:
Work becomes worship
Money becomes a tool
Responsibilities feel lighter
Provision becomes a gift, not a burden
We receive wisdom and direction
We literally get to have the God of the universe guide our steps
There is no better Master.
3. The Warning About Loving Money
Centered on 1 Timothy 6:10
“For the love of money is the root of all evil…”
Money itself is not evil.
But loving money—trusting in it, chasing it, depending on it for security—leads the heart away from God.
This misplaced love breaks peace, damages relationships, and opens the door to many temptations.
But when we seek God’s kingdom first, money loses its power to control us.
It becomes something we manage, not something we serve.
4. Returning to the Fear of the Lord
Centered on Proverbs 9:10
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…”
If you struggle to put God first, you are not alone. Many people want to align their lives with God, yet everything else seems to take priority.
When this happens, the Bible gives a starting point:
the fear of the Lord.
This is not the fear of being scared.
It is awe, respect, and honor for who God is.
It is a healthy fear, a helpful fear, a reorienting fear—one that brings clarity and pulls the heart back into the right order.
When we walk in the fear of the Lord:
We stop fearing money
We stop fearing failure
We stop fearing the future
We stop fearing people
We stop fearing circumstances
The fear of the Lord helps us bring everything under Him:
Our work
Our family
Our choices
Our habits
Our priorities
And as we do, His wisdom, guidance, and strength flow into every part of life.
5. The Promise of God’s Provision
Returning to Matthew 6:33
“…and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Jesus does not ignore our real needs.
He names them—and then promises that God will supply them.
He does not ask us to pretend life is easy.
He asks us to put life in the right order.
When God is first:
Worry begins to fade
Peace grows
Our responsibilities feel lighter
Our needs become reminders of God’s care
The kingdom first.
Everything else second.
And with that order, the heart can finally rest.
Reflection and Prayer
Reflection Questions
What usually fills your thoughts first each day—God or your responsibilities?
Who or what tries to act like a “master” in your life?
Where do you feel worry the most right now?
What part of life would look different if you brought it under God’s rule?
What small step can you take this week to seek God’s kingdom first?
A Prayer of Dedication
Heavenly Father,
Teach my heart to seek Thy kingdom first.
Calm my fears and guide my thoughts.
Keep me from serving mammon,
and fill me with Thy wisdom and righteousness.
Direct my steps, bless my work,
and help me walk in the fear of the Lord.
Provide what I need according to Thy promise,
and keep my heart single toward Thee.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.