MSEP05: And All These Things Shall be Added

This study is the 5th Episode (MSEP05) of Misapplied Series on Grace Tidings. This Episode addresses the misapplication of a very popular verse in the Gospel of Matthew, Matthew 6:33 (and in Luke, Luke 12:31). The verse is not only usually quoted out of context, it is often misread. You will know what I mean shortly.

The love of money and material possessions is one of our problems in this world. People just cannot have enough. Of course when it comes to riches and wealth accumulation, the more you have, the more you will want. We are not alarmed by this happening in the world. But it becomes disturbing when the so-called Christians use the Word of God, such as the verse we are studying today, to justify their greed.

Today’s Text:

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

The Wrong Application

The prosperity gospel preachers of our days, along with their deceived followers, claim that Matthew 6:33 says if you become a Christian, God will give you all that you want in this life. Many of them even read the verse wrong, by saying “and all other things shall be added unto you.” Notice the verse says “all these things,” the context of the Chapter tells us what “these things” mean as we will see shortly.

The purpose of this Episode of Misapplied Series is to look at Matthew 6:33 in context and show what the verse really says, and what it means by what it says. Let’s dive into the study.

For the purpose of this study, I will not be going into the detail of whether there is a difference between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven. But suffice it to say that the kingdom of God comprises all the eternal plan of God for His people, beginning from when they got saved.

Seeking the Kingdom

The kingdom of God is not missing, or lost, and you’re tasked to locate it for God. Seeking the kingdom is about you being involved in it, but it begins from you getting into it.

Seeking the kingdom entails getting into the kingdom and living for its purpose. In other words, having gotten into the kingdom, we live to promote it in the world. The people of this kingdom are not only called to live a different life from the rest of the world, they are also called to seek different things from that which the world seek.

Seeking the kingdom entails getting into the kingdom and living for its purpose.

Seeking the kingdom is the life of those in it. We subject ourselves to the kingdom that it might be in us. Also in the kingdom, the most important thing for us is bringing others, through our deeds and speeches, to the obedience of faith and of the will of God.

There is no mystery about getting into the kingdom because the gospel makes the way very plain to us. You get into the kingdom through Christ, that is, by believing, trusting in Him for your salvation. Take a look at the following verses:

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Remember how the Bible says we were “dead in sin” prior to coming to Christ? Well, it also says that we are “quickened,” made alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:5) when we believed. The life which we received in Christ is the eternal, everlasting life. When a sinner, who was dead in sin is raised in Christ, he is raised into a new kingdom, the kingdom of God.

Colossians 1:12-14  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Got the point? As a result of the forgiveness of sin and the redemption that we received through the blood of Jesus Christ, we received dominion over the flesh, the world, the power of darkness, the devil himself, and even over death.

But not only that, we’re also brought out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light, the kingdom of God. Peter writes in his Epistle about us being brought out of darkness into God’s marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). For more on the believer’s presence in the kingdom of God, please see Total Victory through Jesus Christ.

His Righteousness

The righteousness of God is fulfilled in the gospel. Although the verse says to “seek” it, it is the easiest thing to achieve by those who believe. The righteousness is accounted, that is credited, to you when you trust in Christ. There are no works involved on your part, but faith in Christ alone. Take a look at the following passages:

Romans 4:4-5 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Romans 1:16-17  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

See also: Romans 3:21-22; 10:3; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Philippians 3:9; 2 Peter 1:1.

You’re justified when you came to Christ. That is, God had declared you righteous. But this is impossible by your doing, it is only possible because you got the righteousness of Christ by grace through faith in Him.

Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

So, the point of seeking the kingdom and his righteousness can be summarized thus: through faith in Christ, you establish an eternal relationship with God, this gets you into His kingdom. You align your life with His purpose and will, and live accordingly.

Our text assures us that if we do the above, some things will be added to us. Figuring out exactly what “things” will be added is what is tough for many people, including some preachers. But I will make this easy today by simply looking at the context.

“…and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33.

The expression “all these things shall be added” portrays the idea that the kingdom is the main thing. And should be our priority. But along with that are some of our needs that will be met here and now. So what does “all these things” refer to in the context?

It has once been said that when it comes to biblical interpretation, context is key. We need to look at the context and not make the Bible say what we want it to say.

The Warning against Worry

A new paragraph begins in verse 25 of this Chapter. Listen to what it says:

Matthew 6:25  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

The first thing we see here is “take no thought.” This language is synonymous to that used in Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing.” The point is simple, do not worry about anything. Worry is an indication that we do not trust in God’s ability to care for us, or to address our current situation. This in itself is sin. Therefore the people of God are told not to do it.

Jesus makes a profound statement in verse 27 that no one can accomplish anything or change any bad situation by worrying: “Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?” Would you raise your hands to that question? I know I won’t!

Instead of worrying, Christ wants us to focus on the kingdom, which is our divine purpose. And as we do that, God will take care of our needs. Philippians 4:6 tells us that “in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

Instead of worrying, Christ wants us to focus on the kingdom, which is our divine purpose.

The Context of “All These Things”

Back to Matthew 6:25, Jesus is not talking about all the things we want in this life. He focuses rather on the necessities of this life: “what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.“

In verse 31, He says “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?”

The point is that Jesus does not want His followers to worry about food and clothing. Notice these are the basic necessities of life. There is not even a mention of housing here, let alone private jets and mansions overlooking the oceans and lakes. Yet, those who crave these luxuries often use Matthew 6:33 as their justification.

In verse 25 also, Jesus reminds us that it was God who created life. So it won’t be hard for Him to provide food to sustain it. It was God who created the body, it won’t be hard for Him to provide covering (clothing) for it. Did you catch that in the text: “Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?” (Matthew 6:25)

He continues to state that we are more to God than the birds of the air, which neither sow nor reap. Yet God, “your heavenly Father” feeds them. How much more you? Similar point is made also about the grass of the field (see Matthew 6:25-30).

Needs Vs. Wants

In verse 32, Jesus compares His followers to those who do not know God. He says the people spend their whole life chasing “these things.” But your heavenly Father knows that you have need of them. He will give them to you. So no need to run after or worry about them. Rather, seek the kingdom and His righteousness.

“…And all these things shall be added unto you.” Notice that “these things” also appears twice in verse 32. In fact, the verse says that we have NEED of them. In both verses 32 and 33, the expression refers to the things mentioned in verses 25, 26, and 28. That is, food and raiment. There is simply no way luxuries could have been in view here, otherwise Christ wouldn’t have said we have need of them. See more detail on this in the next section.

In the last verse Jesus concludes His point on worry: there is enough problem for each day. It is therefore pointless to worry about tomorrow’s problem today. Someone once said that “today was the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.”

Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Those who craves the things of the world do not have any problem disregarding the context of Matthew 6:33. They want to justify their greed at all cost, including twisting the Bible. But Matthew 6 is not the only passage in the New Testament that presents the truth about how the believe are to live in this world.

About Earthly Possessions

The believer’s blessings are more spiritual than physical. What I mean is that the New Testament believers are not promised worldly possessions. But we have heavenly blessings and rewards for our faithfulness to God and His course.

Ephesians 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

The Christians are not earthly people and are therefore not defined by earthly possessions. In fact the reverse is the case. Even without leaving Matthew 6, we hear Jesus saying this:

Matthew 6:19-21  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

The point is simple: the more you accumulate in this world, the less you will focus on the kingdom. Because your heart follows your treasures. And since God wants your heart, it will make sense for your treasures to be stored with Him. So Jesus couldn’t have been promising luxuries in this life.

Here is another one from Jesus Christ recorded in the Gospel of Luke, interestingly the same Chapter that also records the text we are studying today. Jesus says:

“Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Luke 12:15

Also, in one of Paul’s Epistles, we learn that the Godly way to gain in this world is through godliness and contentment. Listen to this from 1 Timothy:

1 Timothy 6:6-8  But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Did you see the point of Matthew 6:25-34 here? Food and raiment, that’s all we need. And we are promised that God will provide them along the way as we seek the kingdom.

Yes, Christians Can be Rich

You may be asking within yourself now that is it wrong then for the Christians to be rich? The answer is no, it is not wrong. Christians can be rich, and there are many wealthy Christians around the world today.

But they did not become wealthy simply because they became Christians. There are other factors at play in their lives, such as hardworking. The same things that also apply to non-believers.

The Bible emphasizes diligence and hardworking for the believers. Whether it is being employed or owning a business establishment, a believer can have increase. But not by thinking that God will just lavish you with wealth because you became a Christian or you’re tithing.

Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

The Life We are Called to Live

Having come to Christ, the believers are called into heaven-bound living. No longer making here and now a priority but the matters of the kingdom.

Colossians 3:1-2  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Philippians 3:20-21 For our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Notice how all these line up with Matthew 6:19-21? Worldly possessions do not fit in the call to the Kingdom of God. If we’re enjoined to chase the things that are eternal, then earthly riches cannot be the reason why we come to Christ or serve Him.

God Cares for You

But while we seek the kingdom here, we are promised that God is able and will take care of us. That does not translate to all that we want when we want them. But God will always be there to meet our needs according to His will.

God is able to take care of His people. He has control over all things, and He can give you that which you need. He will give you that which He deems best for you. No one works with God and loses.

Psalm 34:9-10 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. 10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

So, to the followers of Christ, I want to encourage you to live your life in worship and service to God. Let your service in the kingdom be motivated, not only by what Christ has done for you, but also by your future rewards and inheritance in heaven. It must never be because of your desire for worldly possessions.

Trust God to meet your earthly needs, but don’t follow the greedy world to chase worldly things. A true believer is better defined by his position in Christ than his worldly achievements and possessions (Luke 12:15). There is no one in the world that is richer than the believers.

If you are a Christian, you’re already blessed and rich. We are more blessed in Christ than we can ever comprehend or imagine. Remind yourself this regularly and you will begin having less interest in worldly possessions.

I will add this as a bonus, the less interest you have in worldly possessions, the less chances you will fall for the trickery of the prosperity gospel. And vice versa.

Let your service in the kingdom be motivated, not only by what Christ has done for you, but also by your future rewards and inheritance in heaven. It must never be because of your desire for worldly possessions.

A true believer is better defined by his position in Christ than his worldly achievements and possessions (Luke 12:15).

Thank you for reading!