The short answer: Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (ESV). Jesus is telling His followers to make God's reign and God's ways their first priority, and to trust their heavenly Father with everyday needs like food, drink, and clothing. It is not a formula for getting rich. It is an invitation to stop living anxious and to live for the King, knowing the Father already knows what you need.
The Verse in Context
Matthew 6:33 sits near the end of the Sermon on the Mount, in a passage about worry. Jesus has just said, "No one can serve two masters... You cannot serve God and money" (Matthew 6:24, ESV). Then He points to the birds and the lilies: "Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (Matthew 6:26, ESV).
The verses right before 6:33 set it up:
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
That is Matthew 6:31–32. Everyone seeks something first. Jesus says: do not let food, clothes, and security be the thing you chase. Seek the kingdom first. Then He finishes with Matthew 6:34: "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
What "Seek First" Means
"Seek" is ongoing. It is not a one-time decision but a daily direction. "First" is about priority, not just order of events. It does not mean "pray in the morning and then do whatever you want." It means God's kingdom gets the first claim on your time, money, plans, relationships, and ambitions.
What Is "the Kingdom of God"?
The kingdom of God is God's reign through Jesus Christ. Jesus announced it from the start: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15, ESV). It is present now wherever people follow Jesus as King, and it will come in fullness when He returns. Jesus taught us to pray for it: "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10, ESV).
Paul describes its character: "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17, ESV). Seeking the kingdom means wanting what the King wants, where you live.
What Is "His Righteousness"?
His righteousness is not something we earn. The gospel says God gives it to us in Christ: "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21, ESV). Seeking His righteousness means receiving it by faith and then pursuing a life that matches it: honest, generous, pure, merciful, and just.
What Are "All These Things"?
In context, "all these things" are what Jesus just named: food, drink, and clothing, the everyday needs people worry about. Matthew 6:33 is a promise that the Father will provide what His children need. It is not a promise of luxury or wealth. Paul echoes it: "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19, ESV).
How to Seek First the Kingdom
- Give God the first part of your day. Before your phone, open His Word and pray, even for ten minutes. See how to read the Bible for beginners.
- Pray the kingdom prayer. Pray "Your kingdom come, your will be done" over your home, work, and street.
- Bring your worries to Him. When anxiety rises, name it and hand it to the Father. See seek first when anxiety gets loud.
- Put Him first with your money. "Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce" (Proverbs 3:9, ESV).
- Put Him first at work. "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men" (Colossians 3:23, ESV). See Matthew 6:33 at work.
- Make decisions with the kingdom in view. Ask, "What would put His kingdom first here?" See how to know God's will.
- Join His mission. The kingdom grows as people hear the good news and follow Jesus. Share it with someone this week.
Why This Verse Matters So Much Here
Matthew 6:33 is the verse behind everything on this site, and behind the name SIX33. Every festival, outreach night, business, and app in this network is meant to be a way of seeking first the kingdom. The verse keeps the King first and the work second, and it reminds us that He provides for what He calls us to.
Common Questions
What does Matthew 6:33 mean? It means making God's kingdom and righteousness your first priority and trusting your heavenly Father to provide everyday needs like food, drink, and clothing. Jesus says it in the middle of teaching about worry (Matthew 6:25–34).
What are "all these things" in Matthew 6:33? In context, they are the everyday needs Jesus just named: what we will eat, drink, and wear (Matthew 6:31–32). The verse promises the Father's provision, not wealth or luxury.
What is the kingdom of God? The kingdom of God is God's reign through Jesus Christ. It is present wherever people follow Jesus as King and will come in fullness when He returns (Mark 1:15, Matthew 6:10).
How do I seek first the kingdom of God? Give God the first part of your day in His Word and prayer, bring your worries to Him, honor Him with your money and your work, make decisions with His kingdom in view, and join His mission by sharing the good news.
Seek first the King. Trust the Father. Take today's step.
