Seek First God’s Kingdom and Righteousness

July 16, 2023 Author:Elder liu Kerh Li

People are looking for something in their lives to fill a gap in their real or spiritual lives. The working population chases higher salaries to keep up with ever inflating costs in life; the youth queue overnight to buy their beloved artist’s concert tickets to chase their entertainment high; the rich chases to accumulate more wealth, aside from being able to use it to boast about their ability, they use it to expand their influence to accumulate even more wealth; the students study hard to achieve stellar grades to have a better future; the sick scour for treatments to be rid of the pain and even to increase chances of longevity. In the midst of pursuing such things, we definitely think these things are good for us, are what we need. We worry that our world would fall apart should we fail to get them. Of course, some needs to fulfil basic life necessities will cause challenges if not met. On the other hand there are needs that have to do with our happiness. We can live without it but it feels like life is missing something or even that you lose the will to live like how some might feel after ending a relationship. We often worry and feel inadequate when our own or our dearests’ needs are not met. When Jesus was on earth to evangelise, the poor were all around, surviving was a real problem. “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matt 6:31-34) Even when left with only one day’s worth of supplies, and tomorrow’s food is not certain, and the basics of good and clothing are still in question. The children of the LORD need not worry because the Father will provide. This does not mean Christians need not plan out their lives or prepare for the future; neither does it mean Christians can be lazy. We still need to work hard, to put food on the table; study hard, to get good grades. These are what we were meant to do. What is does mean is we put in effort on our end but, at the same time, know assuredly that God will definitely take care of us, fulfilling our basic needs.

Perhaps we are not satisfied with just the bare minimum. Our wish is alike many unbelievers who want more and better things, thinking it will bring a sense of security and hence, satisfaction. Jesus Christ teaches the crowd to not only not worry about basic needs being met but also having a fulfilling life at the same time. True satisfaction of life does not come from living in a big house, driving a big car, getting good grades, or marrying the person of your dreams. Instead, it comes from seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness first. When Jesus Christ wanted people to seek God’s kingdom and righteousness, he was referring to obeying God’s word in our lives and to honour God by having a life led by a God-centred view. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:16) This is not an easy to path to walk on, it is a narrow door, yet it brings eternal life, truly and abundantly satisfying life. “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” (Matt 7:13)

“Seek Ye First” is an english hymn composed by Karen Lafferty. Karen was born into a Christian family, but was rebellious in her youth causing her to distance from God. Brimming with talent, she had entered beauty pageants, and even considered stepping into the entertainment circle to further her career. In the 70s, Karen returned to God, putting aside her jigs singing at bars. When she was unemployed, she applied to the music ministry in a Christian organisation, but was rejected; guitar classes she hosted were also not enough to cover her expenses. Once, as she studied the Bible, she read that Jesus Christ taught the crowd to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness”, she was inspired to write a beautiful melody for this verse. This hymn has since been stored in many hymn collections and became one of the most popular psalms in the English-speaking churches. Many years later, this hymn’s royalty fees is still the main support of Karen’s music ministry. This hymn’s lyrics come mainly from the Bible “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matt 6:33); “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matt 7:7); and “Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”” (Matt 4:4). May God’s words and this hymn encourage us to seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, faithfully living for God.

Translated by Davina Seet

Pastoral Letters