The Sermon on the Mount is the central teaching of Christ. The teaching in Matthew 5—7 has sometimes been called the “magna carta” of Christ. In chapter 6, Jesus taught that his followers should live in such a way that they store their treasure in heaven. He taught them not to be anxious about the things in this world and to trust the love and power of God to sustain. There are worries and trials in this life, but each circumstance now can guide us toward the peace of heaven. 

Jesus taught a perspective that should impact every choice, decision, and concern we have in life. He said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” The key to seeking God’s kingdom is to ask: 

Which decisions are for God’s greater purpose? 

Which choices honor Jesus as our Lord? 

Will we set aside our worries and trust God’s love and plan for our lives? 

How will seeking God’s kingdom perspective cause us to be righteous, right with God?

Every difficult time in our lives requires us to make one important choice first. Will we seek to make God our King and choose to be righteous? Some choices are good ideas, but will we seek God’s ideas instead of our own? Some choices seem like a good plan for our lives, but are those choices God’s kingdom plan? 

It's easier to “seek him first” when we remember that our greatest needs in this life are the blessings of God. When we have God’s blessings, the other things we need are added in as well. Sometimes God gives us what we want. At other times, God’s wisdom changes what we want. Either way, we are blessed. 

The Lord gives wisdom, knowledge, and understanding so that we can know what to seek first in this life for the sake of our eternal life. That priority will enable God to add his blessings to this life and store up our treasure in heaven as well.