Quick Answer: Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (KJV). To seek first the kingdom of God means making God’s rule and His way of living your top priority, above money, possessions, and worry. Jesus promises that when you trust Him first, your heavenly Father will provide what you truly need.
What Does “Seek First the Kingdom of God” Mean?
Jesus spoke these words in the Sermon on the Mount, recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, chapters 5 through 7. He wasn’t talking to religious professionals. He was talking to ordinary people worried about food, clothes, and tomorrow.
His answer to that worry is a matter of order. When you seek first the kingdom of God, God’s priorities shape yours. Everything else, including your work, money, and plans, takes its proper place underneath that.
Kingdom of God Meaning: God’s Reign, Not a Place
When people search for the Kingdom of God meaning, many picture heaven as a location. In Scripture, though, the kingdom mainly means God’s reign: His rule, authority, and will being done. That’s why Jesus taught His followers to pray, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10), in the very same chapter.
Paul describes the kingdom the same way: “the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17). So the kingdom isn’t only something you wait for. It’s also something you live under right now.
What “His Righteousness” Adds
Jesus doesn’t stop at the kingdom. He adds “and his righteousness.” That means living in a way that reflects God’s character: honest, merciful, generous, and obedient. Earlier in the same sermon, Jesus blessed those who “hunger and thirst after righteousness” (Matthew 5:6).
In other words, seeking God first isn’t only about what you believe. It’s also about how you treat people, spend money, and make decisions.
What the Original Greek Reveals
The Greek words in Matthew 6:33 add depth that English can miss:
- “Seek” (zēteite) is in the present tense, so it carries the idea of keep on seeking. It describes a lifelong habit, not a one-time decision.
- “First” (prōton) means first in importance, not just first in the morning.
- “Shall be added” (prostethēsetai) points to God as the one doing the adding. You seek, and your Father provides.
Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God: KJV, NIV, and ESV Compared
Many readers grew up with the King James wording, “seek ye first the kingdom of God.” Modern translations say the same thing in today’s English:
| Translation | Matthew 6:33 |
| KJV | “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” |
| NIV | “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” |
| ESV | “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” |
Notice a small difference. The NIV says “his kingdom” instead of “the kingdom of God.” That’s because some of the oldest Greek manuscripts don’t include the words “of God,” as the ESV’s own footnote points out. Still, the meaning doesn’t change, since “his” clearly refers to God the Father in verse 32.
So whether you read “seek ye first the kingdom of God” in the KJV or “but seek first the kingdom of God” in the ESV, the call is identical.
The Context: Matthew 6:19–34 and the Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 6:33 makes the most sense when you read the whole passage around it, Matthew 6:19–34. Jesus builds up to this verse step by step.
Treasures, Two Masters, and Money (Matthew 6:19–24)
First, Jesus warns against storing up treasures “where moth and rust doth corrupt” (6:19). Instead, He calls His followers to store up treasures in heaven, because “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (6:21). It’s a clear contrast between eternal and temporary treasures.
Then He draws a line in Matthew 6:24: “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Mammon means wealth or money treated as a master. So before Jesus ever talks about worry, He talks about who really runs your life.
Jesus on Worry (Matthew 6:25–34)
Next comes the word “Therefore” (6:25). That word connects money and worry. When money becomes your master, anxiety usually follows close behind.
In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus points to the birds, who don’t plant or harvest, yet God feeds them (6:26). He points to the lilies, which outshine “Solomon in all his glory” (6:29). And He asks, “Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?” (6:27).
A quick language note helps here. The KJV phrase “take no thought” doesn’t mean “don’t think ahead.” The Greek word, merimnaō, means to be anxious or pulled apart. So Jesus isn’t banning planning. He’s banning the kind of worry that pushes God out.
He also explains why worry doesn’t fit His followers: “after all these things do the Gentiles seek,” but “your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things” (6:32). Then comes verse 33, followed by Matthew 6:34: “Take therefore no thought for the morrow… Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” In short, focus on today, trust God with tomorrow.
Kingdom of God vs. Kingdom of Heaven
Read Matthew closely, and you’ll notice he usually says “kingdom of heaven” instead of “kingdom of God.” In fact, he uses “kingdom of heaven” more than 30 times, while Mark and Luke prefer “kingdom of God.”
Most scholars see this as Matthew writing for a Jewish audience, which often avoided saying God’s name out of reverence. So “heaven” stands in for “God.” Both phrases describe the same reality: God’s rule, both now and in the age to come.
That’s why Matthew 6:33 stands out. It’s one of the few places Matthew uses “kingdom of God” directly, at least in the manuscripts that include those words.
Verses That Echo Matthew 6:33
Other passages help fill out what it means to seek first the kingdom of God:
- Luke 12:31: “But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Luke places it right after the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21), and follows it with a tender promise: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (12:32).
- 1 Kings 3:9-13: Solomon asked God for wisdom instead of wealth. God gave him wisdom and also added riches and honor he never asked for. It’s an Old Testament picture of “all these things shall be added.”
- Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
- Colossians 3:1-2: “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Worry Pulling Your Focus Away From God?Knowing Matthew 6:33 is one thing. Living it while money, work, or family stress keeps you up at night is harder. Our biblical counselors help you sort through what’s crowding out your peace and build a life that puts God first, online or in person in Columbia, SC. |
Common Misunderstandings About Seeking God First
Because the promise is so encouraging, people sometimes stretch it too far. A few misunderstandings come up often.
It’s not a formula for wealth. “All these things” refers to the basics Jesus just named: food, drink, and clothing (6:31). The verse promises provision, not luxury.
It doesn’t mean you stop planning or working. Scripture praises the ant that prepares its food in summer (Proverbs 6:6-8). Paul even wrote, “if any would not work, neither should he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Seeking God first shapes your plans; it doesn’t replace them.
It doesn’t promise a problem-free life. Paul sought God’s kingdom faithfully and still faced hunger, cold, and danger (2 Corinthians 11:27). Yet he learned contentment “in whatsoever state” he was in (Philippians 4:11).
It isn’t only about church activities. Seeking the kingdom includes Sunday worship. But it also includes how you do your job, treat your spouse, and spend a Saturday afternoon.
How to Seek First the Kingdom of God: 7 Practical Ways
So, how do you seek first the kingdom of God in a real, busy life? These seven habits make it concrete:
- Start the day with God. Before checking your phone, spend a few minutes in prayer and Bible study. Even five minutes sets the direction.
- Ask “What would honor God?” before deciding. Making faith-based decisions means bringing God’s will into choices about work, money, and relationships.
- Give first, not last. Managing financial worries often starts with trust. Generosity reminds your heart who really provides.
- Practice obedience in small things. Faith and obedience grow together. Keep your word, tell the truth, and forgive quickly.
- Balance faith, work, and family on purpose. Put rest, worship, and family time on your calendar, so busyness doesn’t decide for you.
- Trade worry for prayer. When anxiety rises, name it before God. Trusting God during uncertainty is a choice you make again and again.
- Review what’s competing for first place. Once a week, ask what has taken more of your heart than it should. That’s how seeking spiritual growth becomes a steady habit.
None of these steps earns God’s love. Rather, they keep your heart pointed toward the One who already loves you. That’s the heart of discipleship: daily choosing faith over fear.
Image suggestion: A person journaling with an open Bible at sunrise.
Alt text: Woman journaling and praying as she learns how to seek first the kingdom of God
Seeking God First When Worry Won’t Let Go
Jesus understood anxiety and worry. That’s why He spoke so gently about it. Still, some worry doesn’t lift just because you read the right verse. Divine providence is real, yet the feeling of dread can linger anyway.
If worry keeps you awake, drains your joy, or makes it hard to trust God at all, you don’t have to fight it alone. Our biblical spiritual counseling helps you bring those fears to Scripture and prayer with someone walking beside you. And if life’s priorities feel tangled in a way that’s hard to sort out, one-on-one individual counseling gives you space to work through it.
Biblical counseling doesn’t replace medical or mental health care. So if anxiety affects your sleep, health, or daily life, please talk with a doctor or licensed professional too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the two things God wants you to seek first?
According to Matthew 6:33, Jesus names two things to seek first: God’s kingdom and His righteousness. The kingdom means God’s rule over your life, and righteousness means living in a way that reflects His character. Together, they describe a life where God’s priorities come before everything else.
What does “all these things shall be added unto you” mean?
“All these things” refers to the everyday needs Jesus mentions just before the verse: food, drink, and clothing (Matthew 6:31-32). When you seek first the kingdom of God, your heavenly Father promises to provide what you truly need. It’s a promise of provision, not a guarantee of wealth.
Where else does the Bible say “seek ye first”?
Luke 12:31 records a parallel teaching: “But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Luke places it after the parable of the rich fool and adds Jesus’ promise that the Father delights to give His people the kingdom (Luke 12:32).
How does Philippians 4:13 relate to Matthew 6:33?
Both verses deal with trusting God for what you need. In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul says he learned contentment whether he had plenty or little, because Christ gave him strength. That’s what seeking God first looks like in practice: peace that doesn’t depend on circumstances.
Is “Seek Ye First” a worship song?
Yes. “Seek Ye First” is a popular worship chorus that Karen Lafferty wrote in 1971, based on Matthew 6:33. Churches around the world still sing it today. Its simple melody has helped many believers memorize the verse in its King James wording.