“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness …”

— Matthew 6:33

Would you call yourself a successful person? What measure do you use to determine your answer to that question?

Many people define success as being happy. But if that’s our definition, few who seek success find it. Happiness is a byproduct of seeking something outside ourselves, something we cannot control. So if we bank our success on it, we’ll often experience frustration. But ultimately, it’s a lie that happiness is the evidence and result of a successful life.

If we’re ever to experience success, we first need to understand the true definition of it. Jesus Christ described success for us in Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” Those who seek God’s kingdom and His will for their lives are usually those who experience God’s richest blessings. These people find that which others spend their whole lives pursuing: gifts God gives to those who seek Him.

Consider the words of David Livingstone who, after great suffering and personal loss, wrote, “My Jesus, my Christ, my God, my King, my all, I again consecrate my life entirely unto Thee. I will place no value upon any thing or any relationship except as it relates to Thy Kingdom and Thy cause.” A great hero of the faith, Livingstone opened up Africa to the Gospel, sharing God’s good news with millions who had never heard it before. Livingstone’s words and actions exemplified true success: seeking first the kingdom of God.

If the whole world applauds but Christ says, “Nay,” then one’s life is a tragic failure. Today set your heart first and foremost toward God’s kingdom, forsaking anything that might stand in your way. Do this, and you shall no doubt succeed, at least by the standards that really count in life.

“The Bible never tells us to seek the Kingdom
of God; it tells us to seek it first.”
Charles Spurgeon