Where Your Treasure Is - Generosity Series

This week’s devotional is entitled Who’s on First? by Susan Kent. It is part of Wake-Up Call by Seedbed. We hope you will be encouraged.

Matthew 6:33–34

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

CONSIDER THIS

In the 1930s, the famous comedian duo Abbott and Costello entertained audiences with a sketch called, “Who’s on First?” It’s a funny example of miscommunication, but it’s also a great question to ask ourselves. In your life, who’s on first? When you wake up, what first comes to your mind? Do your worries come first or your blessings? What do you fill your mind with first? The world news? Social media? Scripture? Let me ask you again, do your worries come first to your mind or your blessings?

At the beginning of the week, we learned that the grain offering is also referred to as the offering of firstfruits. In our Matthew passage today, Jesus is teaching the gathered crowd who is to be first in their lives and what should be of first importance. Prior to this passage, Jesus told them not to store up their treasures on earth, but to put the kingdom of God first. This does not mean that God will give earthly riches, but it will mean that their trust won’t be found in those earthly riches. If they seek the kingdom first, their minds won’t be consumed by the anxieties of the world.

Let’s think again about our mornings and who is on first. Jesus tells us that if we seek first the news of the world, our minds will focus on the turbulent waters of politics and the economy. If we seek first the social media posts of our friends, our minds will focus on what other people have or have done. But if we seek first the kingdom and His righteousness, our minds will be grounded in the promises of our Savior.

It doesn’t mean we won’t have trouble. For years, when I read these verses, my brain focused on three little words, “do not worry.” I’m not sure I even paid attention to the rest of the verse. Those three simple words form a wonderful platitude and would look good on someone’s car as a bumper sticker, but living that reality is not as simple as the words themselves. As I studied this passage again, this time my brain focused on the end of the sentence. Each day has trouble. Wait, what? That is not very reassuring. I thought I wasn’t supposed to worry. If I am honest, “each day will have enough trouble” feels much more relatable to my present reality. I may not look at the news or social media first, but the reality of the world is that there are troubles, fluctuating interest rates, the price of gasoline, escalating violence, wildfires and floods, and starving children around the world. How can I surrender worry about these realities? This answer is because the Lord’s provision is not limited. You will not use up all His provision today, so you do not have to worry about tomorrow. He is enough for today and He will be enough for tomorrow.

While Jesus did not promise a trouble-free life, He does promise daily bread and daily grace. We do not have to worry about tomorrow and because of His faithfulness, we do not have to worry about today either. Let’s encourage one another to start each day creating space to encounter God. Let us lay down our worries for today and not borrow from tomorrow. In place of our worry, let us lean into the trust that through His righteousness we live in the kingdom promise today!

Meditate on the words of the hymn, “I Surrender All.”

All to Jesus I surrender

All to Him I freely give

I will ever love and trust Him

In His presence daily live.

THE PRAYER 

Lord, how many times do we need to read this passage to remember to put You first in our minds and in our hearts? We choose You first today. We seek You and only You today. We trust You for today and tomorrow we will trust You again. Amen.

THE QUESTIONS

What is the first thing you look at each morning? How does that direct what your mind focuses on for the day? What are you worried about today? Are you willing to lay it down and trust God in that circumstance?

For the Awakening,
Susan Kent