These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 11:32-34 (NLT)
I once led a funeral attended by only three people—and two were the funeral director and the hired organist.
At the end of your life, what kind of legacy will you leave behind? Will you be proud of the car you drove, the corporate ladder you climbed or the achievements you reached?
The only thing worth living for is relationships—first your relationship with God, and secondly your relationships with others. When you seek first the Kingdom and pursue love in all your relationships, you won’t miss out in any other area of your life.
In reading Matthew 6:19–34, we realize that all our needs are looked after when we go after God first. Now, seeking first the Kingdom doesn’t mean you live a joyless life of hardship and lack. Psalm 16:11 (NKJV) says, “At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” A life of following God brings more pleasure and fulfillment than any other pursuit could bring!
Instead of laying down your life for a chair in an office they’ll give to someone else when you die, lay down your life for others. As you become grounded in God’s love for you, you’ll be free to pursue the right things. Out of that love, you can invest in your relationships and reach out to pick up those who’ve been hurt.
As you focus on loving and valuing those around you, you’ll find a sense of joy and fulfillment deeper than anything you ever thought possible!