The Lillies and Keeping Up with the Joneses

Matthew 6:33

"Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

All these things.  All what things is he talking about?  Let's look at what Matthew says in the verses preceding this one:

v 25:  don't worry about your life, what you  will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear.

v 31:  So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or "What shall we wear?'

So "these things"  are centered around our material needs:  food and clothing.  As comfortable, middle/upper-middle class American Christians, we probably don't spend a lot of time worrying about those things, do we?  In fact, if you're like me, you probably have too much in the way of clothes and food!  We take our material plenty for granted.  We have what we need. 

Or do we?  Why does it never seem to be enough?  Our closets are stuffed with clothes, many of which we don't wear.  Our pantries and refrigerators are filled with good food - so much so that we throw it out because we can't eat it all before it goes bad. 

What do we put before seeking God's kingdom and God's righteousness?  Do we put our physical comfort - just a little more, Lord, and then I'll trust you?  A nicer car?  A bigger house?  A remodeled kitchen?  Do we covet our neighbors' lovely new home, and long for ours to be a little nicer? 

We live in a beautiful wooded ravine, and Gene and I take walks most evenings.  As we walk through 'our ravine,' these words ring so true:  "See how the lilies of the field grow  They do not labor or spin,  Yes I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe, you, O you of little faith?" 

Lord, I am blessed materially beyond measure.  Help me to trust first in you and your kingdom, and to give thanks for all I have.  Amen.