Seek First the Kingdom of God

Warfield’s central point in this article is that Matthew 6:33 calls Christians to reject “practical atheism” by ordering their lives around God’s kingdom rather than the anxious pursuit of earthly security. He argues that many who profess belief in God live as though their provision ultimately depends on their own efforts rather than the Father’s care. Christ’s command to “seek first” is not a call to passivity or indifference to earthly needs, but to proper priorities: spiritual realities—God’s kingdom, righteousness, fellowship with Him—must come before material concerns.

The promise that “all these things shall be added” is not a payment for obedience but a gracious assurance that the Father knows and provides what His children need. In the end, Warfield insists that believers seek God not chiefly because it is useful, but because God Himself is the highest good, and all lesser blessings find their right place when sought through Him.

 

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This short study is part of a series from Warfield called Faith and Life, first published in 1916. Warfield spent much of his life close to home, caring for his sick wife. In the providence of God, this enabled him to give time to writing, and we are the beneficiaries. These short studies are taken from his Sunday afternoon classes with his students in Princeton, where he explores “the deeper currents of Christian faith and life.”

You can find the full book in PDF here.