What Is It That You Seek?

Pastor Mitch has been mentioning Matthew 6:31 a lot, “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?”  

We have learned that this verse is a commandment from God instructing us not to concern ourselves with these things.  We know that this is instruction from God because Jesus said it, and Jesus says what he hears his Father say.  

Not only is this verse instruction to the believer, but it is also comfort.  Without reading any further, Matthew 6:31 is comfort because by telling us to not concern ourselves with food, drink, and clothes, He is telling us that he will take care of them.  We don’t have to do anything other than believe that God’s word is true.  Think about it, there is no way that our God, who loves us more than we could ever know, would ever allow us to go without these things, especially after telling us not to concern ourselves with them.

Matthew 6:32 reads “(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.”  

This confirms what the believer should take away from the previous verse.  Jesus is confirming to us that our Father is aware of our needs, and if this was not enough, the second half of verse 33 says “and all these things shall be added unto you.”  So even though the believer should be able to deduct from verse 31 that God will take care of these things, Jesus goes on to spell it out for us in verse 33.

There are a couple of additional points to take away from verses 32 and 33.  

Verse 32 starts out with “(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:)”.  

Here, Jesus is pointing out that there should be a difference between believers and non-believers.  If we are seeking the same things that gentiles are seeking, then there are no differences between us.  If there is no difference between the believer and the gentiles, God will not be seen in His people.  

In the beginning of verse 33 Jesus tells the believer how they should be different and what they should be seeking.  “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.”  So here, Jesus tells us what should consume our thoughts.  Not only do we believe God to provide those things that we need, but we seek our God’s kingdom and righteousness in place of those other Earthly needs.

The second, but equally as important point to take away from verses 32 and 33 is that there is a cause/effect relationship between what a person seeks and what God will provide.  The second half of verse 33 is conditional upon obeying his command in the first half of the same verse.

 If you seek His kingdom and righteousness, these things (that the gentiles seek) will be added unto you.  Meaning, if you are seeking anything other than His kingdom and righteousness, you do not qualify for God to add food, drink and clothes to you.  Why would He add things to you when He will not get the credit for it because you were trying to achieve it yourself? 

Matthew 6:31 – 33 separates the believer from the non-believer.  The difference between the two can be found in what they seek.  The non-believer seeks food, drink, and clothes.  The believer seeks God’s kingdom and His righteousness.  What is it that you seek?

By Chris Carlisle

Relationship Crisis Not Identity Crisis

I was asking the Lord about what you said about some people looking to me. Here is what the Lord showed me. The people that look to me (or anyone else) is because it is a relationship crisis not a identity crisis, not an I can't do it because I am not good enough crisis or she/he can do it because they are more spiritual.


The relationship crisis is the main reason people look to other people. The Bible says that Moses was the meekest man upon the whole earth. (Num. 12:3). You can teach people about who they are in Christ, which is good, however, if they fail to establish their hearts by spending time with the Lord they are toast. Look at the Old Testament example. How many people actually entered the rest (promised land) of the original group that came out of Egypt? Only two people Joshua and Caleb. Not very good stats. I agree with not drawing attention to one's self. I will make sure that God gets all the glory and I not draw attention to myself.


People that don't have a relationship with God. (They don't labor to enter into that rest) will ALWAYS look to me or someone else who they think is spiritual and can get answers from. Those people in the Old Testament wanted Moses to speak to them instead of God because they were lazy and fearful. (Not spending time with God births unbelief)


Heb. 4:11 says that we are to labour to enter into that rest. (Spend Time with God) otherwise you can fall after that same example of unbelief. Here is a relationship issue, not an identity issue. They looked to Moses or they will look to the Pastor or whomever they perceive as spiritual. I believe a Pastor can minimize how a person perceives him, by letting others minister and having a time to give glory to God. However, when 16 percent of professing believers actually read their Bible on a consistent basis, there is a real problem.


The MAIN way will be to encourage people to fellowship with the Father and Son. (1John 1:3). If everyone would do that they could all enter into the rest without looking to someone else and not fall after the same example of unbelief.