Kingdom Mindset || Matthew 6:33 || Manna for the Mind #115

Welcome to Day 115 of the “Manna for the Mind” devotional! This series is about taking scripture passages (typically 1-3 verses) and building our understanding of their teachings through their context and connecting scripture. I believe that doing this helps us understand how to be the type of human that God created us to be.

Today’s passage is Matthew 6:33. We’ll talk about this part of the Sermon on the Mount and how we must seek the Kingdom of God above everything else.

Matthew 6:33

AMP	NLT	MSG
33 But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.	33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.	33 Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Seeking the Kingdom of God and living righteously means putting God first in our lives. We have goals and dreams. Any of those things can quickly become more important than God. With the kingdom values, we don’t need to worry about our daily needs. If we trust God, our ultimate provider, and keep our relationship strong with him, everything will be provided for us. Now, relationships with our significant others or our family, jobs, and dreams are essential to focus on. How often, though, do we view them through the lens of God and allow him to take the lead in determining the success or closure of those situations? How we communicate with others shows how we communicate with God. Using the principles of God’s teaching allows us to ensure that we live a life that honors him and cares for our communities.

Psalm 37:25

AMP	NLT	MSG
25 I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous (those in right standing with God) abandoned Or his descendants pleading for bread.	25 Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.	25 I once was young, now I’m a graybeard— not once have I seen an abandoned believer, or his kids out roaming the streets.

The children of the righteous don’t need to go hungry because they will always have someone to help them. In David’s day, the Israelites obeyed God’s law, ensuring the poor were treated fairly and mercifully. As long as the Israelites followed God, food would be available for everyone. Yet, when they started away and started focusing on themselves, the rich prospered, and the poor suffered. We need to ensure that everyone around us is taken care of. There are three ways we can make this happen today. We can look the other way and say that those who suffer brought it upon themselves. We can say that it’s a test we have to help the poor develop more patience in God. We can do the right thing and just help those in need. David agrees with the last option. God doesn’t force people to intentionally suffer. God doesn’t want us to be arrogant and just tell people about God. God wants us to help in whatever way possible. Yes, there are programs that people can sign up for, but they can do only so much and have limited resources. We still need to open up our resources and share them with all in need around us.

Mark 10:29-30

AMP	NLT	MSG
29 Jesus said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, there is no one who has given up a house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake,	29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News,	29-30 Jesus said, “Mark my words, no one who sacrifices house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, land—whatever—because of me and the Message will lose out. They’ll get it all back, but multiplied many times in homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land—but also in troubles. And then the bonus of eternal life!
30 will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.	30 will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.

Jesus assured the disciples that anyone who gives up something valuable for his sake will be repaid a hundred times over this life, although not necessarily in the same way. Someone could be rejected by his communities, but be welcomed by his Christian siblings. Along with these rewards, we may face backlash because of our affiliation with God. Jesus said that persecution might be a thing to make sure people don’t follow God just for the benefit. Different elements of our generosity will be returned back to us in different ways. It’s the divine kindness, the essence of karma that is shown through Jesus. Be kind in honor of Jesus and receive that kindness back. It may not be kindness from humans, but divine kindness will be shown in ways we might not understand, reassuring us of God’s presence and care.

Father God, we thank you for the Kingdom mindsets you’ve instilled in us in our world today. The kingdom mindset is upside-down from the world, but that’s what we need. Help us to share that upside-down mindset with those around us. Let our kindness show in different ways to those in need around us. It’s in your name, we pray. Amen.