Matthew 6:33Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

But if we seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, that is, set this before all other things, and seek other things for the sake of this, we ought not to be anxious lest we should lack necessaries; and therefore He says, All these things shall be added unto you; that is, of course, without being an hindrance to you: that you may not in seeking them be turned away from the other, and thus set two ends before you.

Our existence is not solely for the purpose of eating, drinking, and adorning ourselves; rather, it is to partake in eternal rewards after honoring God. Hence, we ought to seek these heavenly treasures earnestly. If we neglect this pursuit, we forfeit the blessings, while the necessities of life, regardless of our pursuit, will be provided for us, much like they are for those who do not believe. Thus, it is stated that these necessities shall be added to us. Our focus should not rest on the provisions for our bodies, which we shall receive even without striving, but rather on spiritual matters. However, if He supplies what is needed for our physical sustenance without our petition, why then did He instruct us to pray for our daily bread? This directive serves to remind us that it is He who sustains us, not our own worries. Acknowledging this truth draws us nearer to Him in thanksgiving.

But ignorance is altogether alien from blessed substance; for how shall God not know what every wise man knows, that if particulars were destroyed, the whole would be destroyed? But nothing prevents all individuals from perishing; when no power watches over them. If, again, He be unwilling, this must be from one of two reasons; inactivity, or the meanness of the occupation. But inactivity is produced by two things; either we are drawn aside by some pleasure, or hindered by some fear, neither of which can be piously supposed of God. If they affirm that it would be unbecoming, for that it is beneath such blessedness to stoop to things so trifling, how is it not inconsistent that a workman overseeing the whole of any machine, leaves no part however insignificant without attention, knowing the whole is but made up of the parts, and thus pronounce God the Creator of all things to be less wise than craftsmen? But if it be that He is unable, then is He unable to bestow benefits on us. But if we are unable to comprehend the manner of special Providence, we have not therefore any right to deny its operation; we might as well say that, because we did not know the number of mankind, therefore there were no men.

Yet, due to our limited faith, the distractions of worldly concerns, our passions, and our transgressions, it remains so deeply hidden that it requires considerable effort and time to uncover and realize. The Savior instructs us: “Seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness"; for within the hearts of sincere believers, the Kingdom of God shines as a realm of truth and every Christian virtue, replacing the dark kingdom of unrighteousness and sinful desires that overshadow the hearts of those who are unfaithful and unrepentant. Therefore, prioritize seeking this holy and blessed Kingdom of God within you above all else. Strive to do so by casting out all vanity and futile earthly concerns from your hearts, akin to how treasure hunters discard soil in search of riches. Pursue a path of purification by eliminating all harmful passions, cleansing your soul and body from the stains of sin. The Lord, who gazes upon your efforts with compassion, will empower you with the strength of His Holy Spirit. As your heart is transformed by His grace, the radiant Kingdom of truth and all Christian virtues will be ushered into your innermost being. He will reign as the King of your entire heart. In such communion with the King of kings and the Source of all blessings, all that you require for your earthly journey will be generously provided. To aid us in our quest for the Kingdom of God, the compassionate love of the Savior offers us yet another paternal guidance.

Yet, since it is unavoidable that many remain engaged in temporal tasks, a crucial question arises: how can we ensure that earthly responsibilities do not obstruct spiritual endeavors? A more accessible and lenient resolution to this challenge is found in the Lord’s counsel: Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Prioritizing one aim indicates that pursuing other goals afterward is permissible. Thus, within the Lord’s message, two ideas emerge: the overt and the concealed. The overt message is that we are to earnestly seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness above all. The concealed message implies that it is permissible to pursue other interests afterward.

From Christ’s words, we learn that it is indeed possible to successfully engage in the pursuit of heavenly matters while fulfilling necessary earthly duties without detracting from our spiritual work. This includes executing our obligations in society and exploring various fields of knowledge in nature and the arts. It is essential, however, that we do not allow these pursuits to immerse us in the distractions of worldly life but rather wisely use such knowledge to glorify our Father in heaven and assist His earthly children. The key to achieving unhindered success lies in what takes precedence in our pursuits—the matters we prioritize among our various endeavors. In the words of one early church father, it is about distinguishing between what constitutes our primary occupation and what is secondary. If seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness becomes your foremost aim, and if the endeavor of saving your soul through grace, faith, adherence to commandments, and the cultivation of virtue occupies a central place in your thoughts and aspirations; if you regard this pursuit as the ultimate cause while viewing earthly affairs as secondary and merely supplementary to your main goal, then such matters will not obstruct your spiritual journey. In doing so, you may confidently anticipate receiving the highly sought kingdom of God, and you will find that the necessities of earthly life will not be lacking, in accordance with the Lord’s faithful promise: All these things shall be added unto you.

Conversely, if you believe it essential to first secure your needs in worldly matters before attending to spiritual responsibilities, and if your thoughts are dominated by the pursuit of earthly knowledge, art, trade, and the pleasures of life, relegating spiritual practice to a mere secondary consideration, then you have inverted the order established by the Lord’s teaching. You will not be on the path to receive the kingdom of God, nor can you be assured of the security of your earthly possessions, for the Lord’s promise does not extend to you: All these things shall be added unto you.

Philaret of Moscow expresses that blessed is the one who receives this divine gift, accepts it with sincerity, safeguards it diligently, and actively employs it—such a gift is not given to everyone.

The pursuit of the Kingdom of God teaches us that earthly matters need not detract from our spiritual endeavors. Christ emphasized this by instructing us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that our earthly concerns will be addressed through God's grace as we show our love for Him and strive for our salvation by following the commandments of Christ. Therefore, seeking the Kingdom enables one to participate in worldly responsibilities without compromising their spiritual journey, fulfilling obligations in service, family, and the pursuit of knowledge, while also glorifying the Heavenly Father through work and acts of charity. The Christian way of life dictates that our focus on the soul and the promise of eternal life must take precedence over all earthly efforts.

How can one seek the Kingdom of God? It is not pursued through physical means, nor through worldly achievements, but through the spirit, heart, and mind, directed towards the divine; it is found in fervent prayer and heartfelt supplication at the feet of the Saviour, and in kneeling before the Blessed Mother of God. Our spiritual ascent need not conflict with family responsibilities, daily necessities, work, or academic pursuits. Yet for the heart to discern the path that leads to the gates of the Kingdom, it must be purified and untainted by passions, resembling those blessed in the Kingdom. Such a cleansed and sanctified heart becomes the habitation of the Holy Spirit; thus, Christ stated to the Pharisees: "Behold, the Kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21). Therefore, seeking the Kingdom involves making our hearts a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit.

What, then, is the essence of the Kingdom of God? It embodies truth in every aspect, at all times and in all places. Each word of the gospel carries profound truth, and yearning to internalize God's word is fundamentally to seek truth itself. When we commit ourselves to the truth for the sake of the Saviour, the eternal Truth, living by it, guiding our children in truth, and fostering genuine love supported by truth, while casting aside falsehoods and the illusions of worldly happiness, power, and wealth—these being mere vanities—then we can trust that God’s truth will reward us abundantly and affirm the words of Christ: "And all these things shall be added to you." Hence, we must seek the Kingdom of God as Christ instructed!

First, we should honor God, express our gratitude, and ask for His direction, and then concern ourselves with our desires and choices. We ought to nurture our hearts with an active and vibrant love for our Lord and neighbors, and in turn, earn their respect and become their leaders. We should first acknowledge our frailty, our tendency to stray from the commandments, and our struggles against our passions, and only then take on the role of judges and guardians of order. Believe, hope, and love first, and subsequently identify ourselves as true disciples of Christ. Amen.

He who instructed us to “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” should also have indicated, “But afterwards seek what you need”; however, He remained silent about this and added, “And all these things shall be added unto you.” If we earnestly seek God’s kingdom and desire to be filled with virtue, He promises to additionally provide for our needs—food, drink, clothing, and all essentials of life. Believer, He also tells you, “Seek the things of heaven, and I will give you the things of earth.” As an eternal being, do not waste your requests on trivial and temporary matters; seek My kingdom and pursue virtue, and I shall grant you all that is good in this world.

Consider the Lord's command: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). This indicates that your primary and most essential focus should be on pursuing God’s Kingdom and enacting righteousness, which encompasses all virtues. When this becomes your utmost concern, you will not ignore God's commandments in the pursuit of wealth; you will not take advantage of orphans to expand your holdings; you will not mistreat widows to boost your harvest; and you will not harm your neighbors for personal gain. In adhering to righteousness, you will refrain from wrongdoing or sin for the sake of increasing your wealth. You will mindfully attend to the governance and well-being of your family and household, approaching your duties with sincerity and honesty, not through deceit or falsehood, and exercising measured and rational judgment, rather than foolishness, valuing eternal treasures over transient goods. When you engage in these virtuous practices, God will guide your efforts and bless your endeavors, granting you not only heavenly rewards but also earthly provisions: “And all these things shall be added to you.”

This way, your soul will be illuminated, your conscience will remain peaceful and clear, and your heart will be fulfilled, leading you to give thanks to God in all circumstances. However, the Lord emphasizes the importance of seeking the Kingdom of God first. St. Philaret observes that once you prioritize the Kingdom of God, it is permissible to also seek what is essential for daily life. Thus, the pursuit of God's Kingdom does not compel one to abandon the world; living and working within it is not forbidden. You do not commit a sin by preparing for tomorrow with what God has generously provided today; after all, He once commanded the gathering of the leftover fragments to ensure nothing was wasted. However, if the opportunity arises to assist those in need today with your surplus, do not hesitate—share generously and release your worries about tomorrow. Remember, only the righteous shall inherit the Kingdom of God; therefore, pursue the truths of this Kingdom, embody those truths in your actions, and eliminate all unrighteousness from your life. In doing so, you will find that everything else is abundantly provided for you. The Holy Fathers have described the quest for the Kingdom of God, along with striving to please God and secure the salvation of one’s soul, as the true labor; in contrast, earthly matters are regarded as mere distractions of lesser significance. As Chrysostom wisely states, you diminish your worth when you exhaust yourself with anxious thoughts over the fleeting benefits of this world. And you may wonder, why did Christ instruct us to petition for daily bread?

These rewards will manifest both externally and sensibly, as the righteous may experience external blessings and, more importantly, internally, for those who earnestly seek God's Kingdom find complete fulfillment in their condition. In fact, what might seem like scarcity to others translates into true contentment for them.