FIRST THING YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR ON EARTH

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE(Eng.) ND/HD (Journalism) DIP, BA, (Theology) MA, PhD

FIRST THING YOU SHOULD

LOOK FOR ON EARTH

“But seek first the Kingdom of GOD and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS and all these things shall be added to you”, {Matt. 6:33}

INTRODUCTION:

     According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, the word “search” is “an attempt to find something, especially by looking carefully for them”. Sequel to this, the Holy Scripture gives GOD’S “SCALE OF PREFERENCE” that should guide every created being in the pursuit of earthly goals, when it says, “but seek first the Kingdom of GOD, and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, and all these things will be added to you”, {Matt, 6:33}.Unfortunately, many people reorder this DIVINE procedure in their quest for economic goods, as they go all out for material things, without a hearty consideration of where their souls would go after death. In this connection, Onyeukwu {1996} remarks that people should “plan to make HEAVEN, as they plan to make economic success”, a concept derived from the main text of this Gospel Message. To this end, therefore, this Christian Treatise admonishes that before one’s pursuit for the material things of this world, one should seek first

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

     The BBC English Dictionary defines “kingdom” as “a country or region that is ruled by a king or queen”, and so, the KINGDOM of GOD is the REALM of HIS AUTHORITY and GOVERNANCE, as well as, the DOMAIN of HIS immediate PRESENCE and SEAT of ETERNAL GOVERNMENT, from which HE governs the heavens,  the earth, and every other planet, including hell. But, for the fact of the fall of man {Genesis3}, which results in all being affected by sin {Romans 6:23}, as well as bars him out of the Kingdom of Heaven {1Cor. 6:9-10}, GOD in HIS infinite LOVE and MERCY sent HIS ONLY SON {John 3;16}, as a way of restoring HIS REIGN in man {John1:12}, in order to pave way for him to return to HIM in Heaven, hereafter {John 14:1-4}, a GLORIOUS KINGDOM which GOD’S WORD urges everyone born into this world to diligently seek first before any material pursuit, {Matt. 6:33}.

     However, this good plan of the LORD, to restore man to HIMSELF, has always been rejected by many, who think that wealth is the first thing to look for on earth, even without GOD. But, on the contrary, JESUS CHRIST our LORD and BLESSED SAVIOUR tells us “to be on our guard against all kinds of greed, for a man’s life does not consist on the abundance of his possessions”, as HE gives a parable that, “the ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, what shall I do? I have no place to store my crop. Then he said, This is what I will do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to myself, you have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry. But GOD said to him, You fool! This very night your life will be taken from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself? This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself, but is not rich towards GOD, {Luke 12:15-21}. So, from the parable of the “Rich Fool” please, learn to seek first the Kingdom of GOD;

AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS

The RIGHTEOUSNESS of GOD speaks of HIS DIVINE NATURE, which informs the mode of life in HIS KINGDOM that must be adopted as a lifestyle, beginning from this earth, if one must be in heaven hereafter, and by this principle, one must learn to live righteously, in keeping with the tenets of the Holy Scripture. In line with the foregoing, the Apostle Paul posits that GOD’S KIND of RIGHTEOUSNESS is CHRIST-CENTERED in contrast to  the self- righteousness exhibited by the people of Israel, when he says, “brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to GOD for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for GOD, but not according to knowledge. For they bring ignorant of GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS, and seeking to establish their own righteousness....For CHRIST is the end of the law, for RIGHTEOUSNESS to everyone who believes”,{Romans 10:1-4}. This statement of the Apostle Paul indicates that no-one is justified before GOD without a total surrender to JESUS CHRIST, by faith, as HE remains the ONLY SOURCE of the righteousness acceptable to GOD,{vs 4}. Therefore, seek first the KINGDOM of GOD and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS through our LORD and BLESSED SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST and;

ALL THESE THINGS SHALL

BE ADDED TO YOU

     Economic blessings to one who has secured the KINGDOM of GOD and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS are never strenuous, for the LORD our GOD takes HIS turn in supplying what one needs at any point in time,{Philippians 4:19}.But, it is not so with the ungodly, who scrambles for GOD’S blessings, and often go fetish, when his attempts to get what he wants seems unsuccessful,{Matt. 6:31-32}. This does not mean one should not labour for something, or put up economic plans, but rather means that GOD makes burdens lighter for HIS children,{Matt. 11:28-29}. So, to those who have secured first HIS KINGDOM and RIGHTEOUSNESS HE says, “Delight yourself in the LORD your GOD and HE will grant the desire of your heart. Commit your ways to HIM, as well as, trust HIM, and HE will bring your plans to pass”,{Psalm 37:4-5}.

     In conclusion, once again,”seek first the Kingdom of GOD and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, and all these things, shall be added to you”. “And the time of ignorance GOD overlooks, but now commands all people everywhere to repent. For HE HAS set a day when HE WILL JUDGE the world in RIGHTEOUSNESS”...{Acts 17:30-31}. BE INFORMED!

This tract is God's message and property in your hands.

Don't destroy it, read and pass it on.

Your financial support to help print more of this tract, for soul winning, for JESUS CHRIST our LORD and BLESSED SAVIOUR, is welcomed through UBA Acc. No. 2003513589