“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need.” — Luke 12:31 (NLT)
Jesus had a way of getting right to the heart of the matter. In just one sentence, He addresses two of life’s biggest questions:
What should be my top priority?
And how will I have what I need?
His answer is simple but powerful: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else.”
And the promise that follows? “He will give you everything you need.”
What Matters Most?
We live in a culture that pulls us in a hundred directions. Success, comfort, image, influence, security — all of these clamor for first place. But Jesus makes it clear:
The Kingdom comes first.
Everything else comes second.
That means putting God’s rule and reign — His values, His purposes, His presence — at the very center of your life. When your priorities line up with His, the rest falls into place.
A Kingdom-First Lifestyle
So what does that actually look like?
- It’s beginning each day with a heart tuned to God — in prayer, in the Word, and in surrender.
- It’s letting God’s Spirit shape how you speak, how you lead, how you handle money, how you respond to pressure.
- It’s choosing to serve rather than be served, to give rather than consume, to build others rather than promote yourself.
When Jesus says “above all else,” He’s not asking for one more item on our to-do list. He’s inviting us to build everything around the Kingdom — our schedule, our finances, our dreams, our families, our ministries.
Provision Follows Priority
Here’s the good news: when you put God first, He takes care of what you need.
It’s not a formula. It’s a relationship with a faithful Father who sees, knows, and loves you. Jesus goes on to say:
“So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.” — Luke 12:32
God isn’t holding back. He’s not reluctant. It makes Him happy to provide for His kids. If you’ve been feeling anxious or stretched thin, maybe it’s time to realign your priorities and let Him take care of the outcome.
A Personal Reflection
Over the years, Anna and I have had moments when we weren’t sure how things would work out — financially, in ministry, or in major decisions. But as we prayed and put God first, we watched Him open doors, meet needs, and surprise us with His provision. He really is faithful.
We’ve never regretted seeking the Kingdom first. Not once.
A Few Practical Next Steps
Want to live this out this week? Try this:
- Begin your day by asking: “God, what does your Kingdom look like in my life today?”
- Re-evaluate your weekly schedule: Are Kingdom values front and center?
- Look at your giving: Are you trusting Him in this area too?
- Trust Him with the thing you’re anxious about. Take it to Him — and leave it there.
Final Thought
Jesus cares deeply about your priorities. He knows that when you chase the Kingdom, everything else finds its right place. And He promises: “You’ll have what you need.”
So today, let’s stop striving and start seeking.
Kingdom first — always.
What are some ways you’ve learned to put God’s Kingdom first in your life? I’d love to hear in the comments below.
