Verse of the Day 9/15

Through the Bible - Proverbs 31- Ecclesiastes 1-2, 2 Corinthians 9

Good morning,
In our High School Sunday School class yesterday we looked at the account of the "rich young ruler" in Matthew 19. In preparation we looked at Matthew 6:33 which will serve as today's verse of the day.

I'll copy it in the more familiar (perhaps) NKJV but also show the Amplifed version.

Matt 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. NKJV

33But seek ([a]aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness ([b]His way of doing and being right), and then all these things [c]taken together will be given you besides.

The verse is one that we should be familiar with about "seek ye first". This "first" is not only in time, in order, but in priority. It is not a one time thing but continual, and something that takes diligence and striving after, make it your top priority.

The kingdom of God is mentioned in many parables. It is easy to think of this as heaven or eternal life. But it starts here and now and is exemplified in the thought of the parable of the "pearl of great price" where the person sold all he had to obtain it.

Notice also that it is "His righteousness". Not something we do, but that He has done and can work through us. The NKJV commentary states that "Luther defined the righteousness of God as a righteousness valid before God, which a man may possess through faith. Luther said that this righteousness is the first and last need of any sinful individual. The word righteousness in Paul's letter to the Romans carries a double sense, and may be labeled both legal and moral. In other words the word refers to the legal action God takes in declaring sinners as righteous, but is also refers to perfect righteousness, a characheristic which can only be attributed to God Himself in Scripture and is the lofty standard for human behavior."
I'll post the Matthew 19 passage below. Read it with this verse as a back drop. Notice how the young man came looking for something he could do. He had acquired much but was seeking more. His priorities were wrong.

He felt that he had fulfilled the "law". Jesus had quoted six of the commandments but left out the first about having "no other gods before me" and the last "thou shalt not covet". Think about that one.
When it came down to it his possessions held him. He could not part with them.

How about us? Who or what are we seeking first? What are we willing to give up to seek His kingdom?
How does the story speak to you today.

In Christ,
Mike

Matt 19:16-30
The Rich Man
16 Someone came to Jesus with this question: "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?"
17 "Why ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments."
18 "Which ones?" the man asked.
And Jesus replied: "'You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. 19 Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
20 "I've obeyed all these commandments," the young man replied. "What else must I do?"
21 Jesus told him, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22 But when the young man heard this, he went away very sad, for he had many possessions.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. 24 I'll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!"
25 The disciples were astounded. "Then who in the world can be saved?" they asked.
26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible."