"Therefore
do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What
shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly
Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God
and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31-33)
The Gentiles Jesus refers to are not simply non-Jews. There were non-Jewish believers during Jesus's ministry, like the faithful centurion (Matthew 8:5-10) and the Syro-Phoenician woman (Mark 7:21-30). The Gentiles Jesus has in mind are unbelievers who find
their only existence in this present world with no thought of eternity or God's
kingdom. They seek intensely (επιζητουσιν) the physical and material
things of this world. In Revelation,
these people are labeled as "dwellers on the earth" (3:10; 6:10;
8:13; 11:10; 13:14; 17:2,8 et al). Jesus promises His people that our heavenly
Father will provide all these things if we trust Him and focus on spiritual
priorities. (See v. 33)
In contrast to the intensive
"seeking" of the Gentiles for physical necessities and comforts,
Jesus urges His disciples to "seek" (ζητεῖτε) the kingdom of God and His righteousness. The Greek particle
translated "but" (δε) is not the strongest word that could have been
used to express contrast. Since it is
followed by the adverb "first" (πρωτον) -- "but seek first" --
Jesus is not urging his followers to shift all responsibility for their
physical needs to God, nor is He diminishing the importance of diligent work
and wise management of resources.
This verse is about priorities: Godly
priorities relieve anxiety. Jesus says that the greatest possession we can have
is our relationship to God -- citizenship in His kingdom and righteousness,
Christ-like character.
When our
spiritual priorities are in order, we need not be worried, indeed, we will
not be worried about our material provisions. God cares for His own.
