Matthew 6:33 Text
King James Version (KJV)
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
World English Bible (WEB)
But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.
What Matthew 6:33 Means
Jesus gives an order of priorities: seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness, and the other things will be added. The "things" refers to what he has just listed, namely food, drink, and clothing, the basic needs people worry about. He is not saying that anyone who seeks God will become wealthy. This verse is sometimes used to promise comfort or success, but the context is anxiety about daily necessities, and the promise is that God knows what you need. "Kingdom" means God's rule, so seeking it means asking where God is reigning and joining in. "Righteousness" means the right way of living that God wants. The WEB's "given to you as well" suggests a gift, not a payment.
Context of Matthew 6:33
This saying belongs to the Sermon on the Mount, in the Gospel of Matthew, traditionally attributed to Matthew the tax collector turned apostle and probably written in the later first century. Jesus is teaching a crowd on a hillside in Galilee. Just before, he tells them to look at the birds and the wildflowers, which God feeds and clothes, and not to worry. Just after, he tells them not to worry about tomorrow, since each day has enough trouble. To read the whole book, see random verse from Matthew.
How to Apply Matthew 6:33
Think of one thing you worry about most and ask what it would look like to put God's way first in that area. It might mean being honest at work, giving some time to a neighbor, or praying before planning. This is not a trade for guaranteed results, but a way of loosening anxiety's grip.
Related Verses
- Matthew 6:25-27 – 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? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
- Luke 12:29-31 – And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
- Psalm 37:25 – I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
- Philippians 4:19 – But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Looking for more verses on this theme? Browse Bible Verses About Trust, each with a short note on its context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does seek first the kingdom of God mean?
It means making God's rule and way of life your top priority, ahead of worries about your own needs. Jesus says to trust that your Father already knows what you need.
Does Matthew 6:33 promise wealth?
No. The "things" that will be added are daily necessities like food and clothing, which Jesus was discussing. It is a promise of care, not a formula for riches, and Jesus elsewhere warns that his followers may face hardship.
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