What Should You Live For

In a world brimming with options for what to live for, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. You could dedicate your life to chasing a successful career, sculpting the perfect physical appearance, or indulging in endless pleasures. Society bombards us with messages that these pursuits will bring happiness and fulfillment. Yet, Jesus offers a different perspective—a singular, transformative focus that cuts through the noise. In Matthew 6:33, He declares:

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (ESV).

These words aren’t just a suggestion; they’re a divine directive that reveals what we should truly live for. Jesus presents seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness as the ultimate priority, promising that when we align our lives with this goal, God will take care of everything else we need. This blog post will unpack Matthew 6:33 through careful exegesis, diving into the original Greek language, exploring its context within the Sermon on the Mount, and applying its timeless truth to our lives today. What does it mean to seek God’s kingdom first? How does this reorder our priorities? And why does it lead to a life free from worry? Let’s find out.

The Context of Matthew 6:33

To grasp the full weight of Matthew 6:33, we need to situate it within its broader context: the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). This sermon is Jesus’ foundational teaching on life in God’s kingdom, delivered to His disciples and the crowds on a Galilean hillside. It’s a manifesto of kingdom values, challenging worldly priorities and calling followers to a higher standard of living.

In Matthew 6, Jesus shifts focus to practical aspects of discipleship. He addresses religious practices like giving, prayer, and fasting (vv. 1–18), urging sincerity over hypocrisy. Then, in verses 19–34, He tackles our relationship with material wealth and daily needs. He contrasts earthly treasures, which fade, with heavenly treasures, which endure (vv. 19–21). He warns that we cannot serve two masters—God and money—because our allegiance can only belong to one (v. 24).

This leads into His teaching on worry (vv. 25–34). Jesus instructs His listeners not to be anxious about life’s necessities: food, drink, and clothing. He points to God’s care for the birds and the lilies, asking, “Are you not of more value than they?” (v. 26, ESV). It’s here, amid this discussion of anxiety and provision, that Jesus delivers the pivotal command of verse 33:

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

The “but” signals a shift. Instead of worrying about material needs, Jesus offers an alternative pursuit, seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness. This isn’t just a call to stop fretting; it’s a proactive charge to replace anxiety with a higher purpose. The promise? God will provide “all these things” when we prioritize Him.

Exegesis of Matthew 6:33

Let’s break down Matthew 6:33 phrase by phrase, examining the original Greek to uncover its depth and meaning.

“But seek first”

“But” (de): This Greek conjunction introduces a contrast. After warning against worry, Jesus pivots to what we should do. It’s a deliberate redirection of focus.

“Seek” (zēteite): From the verb zēteō, meaning “to seek, strive for, or pursue,” zēteite is a present imperative. The present tense implies ongoing, habitual action—not a one-off effort but a continuous lifestyle of seeking. It’s an active, intentional pursuit.

“First” (prōton): This adverb means “first in time, place, order, or importance.” Here, it emphasizes priority. Seeking God’s kingdom isn’t just one item on a list; it’s the primary goal that shapes everything else.

Together, “but seek first” instructs us to replace worry with a persistent, top-priority pursuit. But what are we seeking?

“The kingdom of God”

“The kingdom” (tēn basileian): From basileia, this term can mean “kingdom,” “reign,” or “rule.” In Jesus’ teaching, it’s God’s sovereign authority—His reign over creation, present in the hearts of believers and fully realized in the future.

“Of God” (tou theou): This specifies whose kingdom we seek—God’s, not a human construct.

To “seek first the kingdom of God” is to live for God’s rule in our lives and the world. It’s submitting to His authority, aligning our will with His, and working toward His purposes—through prayer, evangelism, and acts of justice. It’s both personal (in our hearts) and communal (in the church and beyond).

“And his righteousness”

“And” (kai): This connects the two objects of our seeking—God’s kingdom and His righteousness—as inseparable pursuits.

“His righteousness” (tēn dikaiosynēn autou): Dikaiosynē means “righteousness,” “justice,” or “rightness.” The pronoun autou (“his”) ties it to God.

This phrase has dual layers. First, it could mean the righteousness God imparts through faith in Christ (Romans 3:21–22), a gift we seek by trusting Him. Second, in the Sermon on the Mount’s context—where Jesus teaches on righteous living (e.g., Matthew 5:20)—it suggests living according to God’s moral standards. Both are likely intended: we seek a right relationship with God and a life that reflects His character.

“And all these things will be added to you”

“All these things” (tauta panta): Refers to the necessities Jesus mentioned—food, drink, clothing (vv. 25–32).

“Will be added” (prostethēsetai): A future passive form of prostithēmi, meaning “to add” or “give in addition.” The passive voice points to God as the provider.

This is Jesus’ promise: prioritize God’s kingdom and righteousness, and God will supply your needs. It’s not a blank check for wealth, but assurance that our Heavenly Father knows and meets our essential needs.

What Should You Live For?

So, what does Matthew 6:33 tell us to live for? Jesus cuts through life’s myriad options, appearance, career, and pleasure, and points us to one supreme purpose: God’s kingdom and righteousness. This isn’t just another priority to juggle; it’s the lens through which we view all else. Here’s what that looks like practically:

A Life of Purpose Over Worry

Jesus contrasts seeking God’s kingdom with worrying about material needs. Living for physical well-being alone is a cursed existence, marked by anxiety and a focus on survival—like animals scrabbling for scraps. Instead, Jesus says, “Seek Me first, and I’ll handle the rest.” This frees us to pursue purpose rather than panic.

Honoring God in Everything

Living for God’s kingdom means making honoring God your goal in every sphere. Ask yourself: “In this action, what’s my aim?” If you’re working just to get rich at any cost, your goal is misaligned. But if you work to glorify God—offering honest effort, integrity, and a good testimony—you’re seeking His kingdom.

Take your career, for example. You don’t have to choose between honoring God and being a good employee; you honor God by being a diligent, ethical worker. Proverbs 22:1 aligns with this: “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold” (ESV). A reputation for godliness trumps wealth.

Replacing Lesser Passions

Worry is a passion, a habit of the heart. Jesus doesn’t just say “stop it”; He gives us a greater passion to replace it. As R.T. France notes, this verse demands “a commitment to find and do the will of God, to ally oneself totally with his purpose.” Living for God’s kingdom becomes our driving force, eclipsing lesser pursuits.

Trusting Divine Provision

When we live for God’s kingdom, we’re not promised a trouble-free life but a provided-for one. Jesus assures us that “all these things” will be added to us, our needs met by a faithful Father. This trust liberates us from the tyranny of self-reliance.

Biblical Examples

Scripture brims with people who lived this way:

Abraham: He left everything to follow God’s call, seeking a heavenly city (Hebrews 11:10). God provided a legacy beyond his imagination.

Moses: He chose God’s people over Egypt’s riches, seeking eternal reward (Hebrews 11:25–26). God sustained him as a leader.

Paul: He counted all as loss for Christ’s sake (Philippians 3:8), living for God’s kingdom. God supplied strength for every trial (Philippians 4:13).

These lives show that seeking God first doesn’t leave us empty—it fills us with purpose and provision.

Addressing Objections

“What if I seek God’s kingdom and still struggle?” Jesus never promised ease, saying, “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33, ESV). Yet He offers peace and presence. God’s provision might be strength, community, or hope—not always material abundance. For those in poverty, this trust can be challenging, but God’s faithfulness shines through countless testimonies of sustenance in the midst of hardship.

Practical Application

Here’s how to live by Matthew 6:33 daily:

Pray Daily: Start each day asking God to align your priorities with His kingdom.

Evaluate Goals: In every task, aim to honor God—whether in work, family, or leisure.

Trust Actively: When worry creeps in, pray and recall God’s past provision.

Serve Others: Advance God’s kingdom through generosity, evangelism, and justice.

Look Eternal: Let heaven’s hope shape your choices over fleeting gains.

Conclusion

Among life’s many pursuits, Jesus calls us to one: seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. This isn’t a burden but a gift, a path to purpose, peace, and provision. By living for God’s rule and character, we find what we were made for: fellowship with Him. So, let’s commit today to this radical, worry-free life, trusting that “all these things” will follow as we seek Him first.