<P> Jesus has just told his followers not to worry about material things such as food or clothing , as God will provide the needs of his followers . Earlier in the chapter Jesus presented a discussion on how one must not pursue wealth and material things before God . This verse ties the two notions together . If one places the pursuit of the Kingdom of God first , then material needs will follow without need for worry or anxiety . The present imperative verb seek makes clear that pursuing the eschatological kingdom is not a passive act , but one that must be pursued with rigour . Hill notes that the word God is left out of many of the better early manuscripts of the Gospel , and it thus might be a later addition . Kingdom of God is a somewhat unusual phrase , with the author of Matthew generally preferring Kingdom of Heaven . Even without the word it is quite clear that this is a reference to the Kingdom of God . The parallel to this verse at Luke 12 : 31 does not mention righteousness , but as France notes the author of Matthew shows a special interest in righteousness throughout his gospel . </P>
<P> Jesus has just told his followers not to worry about material things such as food or clothing , as God will provide the needs of his followers . Earlier in the chapter Jesus presented a discussion on how one must not pursue wealth and material things before God . This verse ties the two notions together . If one places the pursuit of the Kingdom of God first , then material needs will follow without need for worry or anxiety . The present imperative verb seek makes clear that pursuing the eschatological kingdom is not a passive act , but one that must be pursued with rigour . Hill notes that the word God is left out of many of the better early manuscripts of the Gospel , and it thus might be a later addition . Kingdom of God is a somewhat unusual phrase , with the author of Matthew generally preferring Kingdom of Heaven . Even without the word it is quite clear that this is a reference to the Kingdom of God . The parallel to this verse at Luke 12 : 31 does not mention righteousness , but as France notes the author of Matthew shows a special interest in righteousness throughout his gospel . </P>
who said seek ye first the kingdom of god
who said seek ye first the kingdom of god
Jesus
Jesus