What are you seeking when you go to work on Monday?
John Posey, Faith & Work Advisor
“But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt. 6:33)
How often have you heard this verse quoted in church, or how often have you mentioned this verse yourself? It is usually followed by "you have to put God first." Of course, putting God first in your life is true, but the assumption can be that when you seek God first, then you are free to pursue other things as well—money, success, power, possessions. But I don't think Jesus was talking about seeking multiple things provided that we make sure God is first. To fully grasp the meaning of this verse, we need to back it up a little.
Your Treasure and Your Heart
Just a few verses earlier, Jesus tells us:
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matt. 6:19-20)
As Kingdom citizens, we must place a higher value on spiritual things over natural things. You must value eternal things versus temporal things. Why? Because everything in this life will pass away. (See 2 Cor. 4:18)
Jesus continues in the next verse,
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matt. 6:21)
He is saying that our actions reveal what we truly value. If we live for this world and all it offers, that will show up in our hearts, which in Scripture means the center and sum of who we are—our thoughts, emotions, and conscience.
What preoccupies your thoughts and what do you spend time daydreaming about and working for? Where are you laying up treasure? Does your heart belong to God, or does it belong to something or someone else? The very first of the ten commandments is: "You should have no other gods before me." (Ex. 20:2) Jesus says the whole of the law is founded on loving God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Mark 12:30) God wants all of you, not just a part of you.
It is just like a marriage: You cannot have a spouse you love and value, yet also love many others. I am married to Sandra, but if I also love several other women. I can’t tell her that somehow, I love her most because she is first. I don't think so. Your heart belongs to God and no one else. If God owns your heart, then it should show in your focus, what you invest in, what you are concerned about, what you dedicate your time to, and what you pursue.
One Master
Jesus warns us three verses later,
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matt. 6:24)
It is impossible to serve two masters. The word "serve" means to "belong wholly and be entirely under command to." Is this only during a church service or a mission trip? No, this is all the time, every day. Every moment we are working for God, we are under His command. Anything else is a life of confusion. It is much like having two bosses: One boss is telling you one thing to do, but the other is telling you to do something completely different. You cannot have two masters; you cannot have two things that occupy your heart, your desire, and your passion.
Seeking the Kingdom
Riches and material things are uncertain; in a moment, they can disappear. But when we trust in God, He will provide for us (1 Tim. 6:17). For this reason, we don't need to worry, be anxious, and stressed out by the things we need to make it in this world. God knows what we need; He cares for us affectionately and cares about us watchfully. He is our Father, and He loves us. We are not to put our faith in temporal things; we must put our faith in God. Jesus says, "Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all." (Matt. 6:32) To seek the things of this world and worry about our lives is to live and act no differently to someone who does not know God.
Jesus is saying to us today, “I have you covered; I’ve got your back; don't worry about anything; you belong to me; you are a part of my Kingdom; you are my ambassador; your expenses are covered!” Each day when you leave your home, know that God will provide for you. You have one task, one focus, one mission: to seek the Kingdom in everything you do—in your work, in your projects, in your relationships. You are under God's command; you are on His clock, your heart belongs to him. And His promise is that he will provide for your every need. You don't have to bow to the world; you don't have to compromise your faith to get ahead. Serve God in all that you do, and He will bring to pass His promise as your shepherd. Each day commit your work to the Lord, each day commit your time to the Lord, each day let God guide your decisions, each day let God fill you with His ideas.
All for God’s Glory
Seeking first the Kingdom and His righteousness is living a life for God's glory. So, Monday is a great day to glorify God. Your work is not just a job, just a task, just a project, just an account, just a contract; your work is an opportunity to bring glory to God, an opportunity to serve God, an opportunity to express His love and His nature to a lost world. Your work is an opportunity to release and minister God’s peace in the workplace. People today are troubled, confused, isolated, and tormented, but you are God's ambassador, establishing His Kingdom in the place where you serve. Do it well, for His glory alone.
