“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
Simplicity in the Kingdom of God
If you want to know what really matters to a person, don’t listen to what they say - look at what they treasure. How do they spend their time and money? Jesus knew that the human heart follows its deepest desires, and He knew that a desire for earthly treasure leads us away from God and His will for our lives. (Seeking Simplicity)
In Matthew 6:19-34, Jesus presents a radical contrast between the world’s approach to life and the life of a believer. The world says, "Accumulate, protect, and worry about money and things." Jesus says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33) At the heart of Christian simplicity is trust. Simplicity is living based on our trust that God is enough, that His kingdom is our stronghold, and that we do not need to chase after the things that enslave the world.
Where Is Your Treasure? (Matthew 6:19-21)
Jesus begins this section of the Sermon on the Mount with a direct command for believers: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-20).
In the first-century world, wealth was often stored in material goods - fine clothes, livestock, grain, or precious metals. But Jesus points out the temporary nature of these things: moths eat fabric, rust destroys metal, and thieves take what is not theirs. Modern treasures - bank accounts, possessions, even lifestyles can be just as vulnerable. Jesus’ warning is not about wealth itself, but about what happens when wealth becomes a defining part of who we are.
In Jewish tradition, treasures were often associated with divine reward. Storing up treasure in heaven meant investing in God’s purposes - acts of righteousness, generosity, and devotion. The Greek word for "store up" (thēsaurizō) implies accumulation, a deliberate effort to gather and hold something. Jesus challenges His followers to actively invest in eternal treasures rather than fleeting wealth.
He follows this with a piercing truth: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). If our treasure is in things that fade, our hearts will be unstable, anxious, and restless. But if our treasure is in God, we will have wealth that cannot be stolen. Simplicity begins with asking: What do I truly treasure?
The Eye of a Divided Heart (Matthew 6:22-24)
Jesus continues with a striking metaphor: “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness” (Matthew 6:22-23).
This was a well-known Jewish idiom. A "healthy eye" (haplous) represented moral clarity and a life focused on God, while a "bad eye" (ponēros) meant devious and scheming, like the devil. A healthy eye sees clearly and purely, focused on what is most valuable - God’s kingdom. If our focus is on earthly gain, our spiritual vision darkens. But if we focus on God’s kingdom, we live in clarity and light.
Then Jesus makes the problem crystal clear: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24). This is where simplicity becomes more than just a lifestyle - it is an act of loyalty.
First-century Roman society understood loyalty - servants owed absolute allegiance to their master. Jesus’ audience would have recognized that divided loyalty was impossible in such relationships. We cannot split our allegiance between God and worldly wealth. To seek first the kingdom means to have an undivided heart.
The Burden of Worry (Matthew 6:25-32)
After exposing the dangers of misplaced devotion, Jesus addresses the root of why people cling to wealth: fear.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.” (Matthew 6:25).
To His audience - many of whom lived hand-to-mouth - this command must have seemed impossible. Yet Jesus points to nature as evidence of God’s provision. Birds neither plant nor harvest, yet God feeds them. Flowers do not labor, yet they are clothed in splendor. If God cares for His creation, how much more will He care for His children?
One common meaning of the Greek word for “worry” (merimnaō) conveys being pulled in different directions - a divided mind. Jesus focuses on worry three times in this passage: (Matthew 6:28, 31, 34). Worry is a sign of doubt or a lack of trust - it reveals that we believe our well-being is ultimately in our own hands. Simplicity means believing and trusting in the goodness of God.
Seek First the Kingdom (Matthew 6:33-34)
Then Jesus offers the most direct solution to the problem of misplaced devotion and anxiety: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33), which brings us full circle in this study.
Simplicity is not about living with less - it is about living with the right priorities. Jesus does not say, "Ignore your needs." He says, "Trust God, and He will provide for you." When we seek first the kingdom, everything else falls into place. Not in a prosperity-gospel sense, but in the sense that when we stop chasing lesser things, we find that we already have what really matters.
Then Jesus gives a final command: “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself” (Matthew 6:34). Anxiety is most often about the future - simplicity is about faithfulness today.
Living the Simplicity of the Kingdom
Living out simplicity requires intentional choices. Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6 is not just philosophical wisdom - it is a divine invitation to live differently.
Rather than storing up material wealth, we are called to invest in eternal priorities. Instead of worrying about provision, we are invited to rest in God’s care. Seeking first the kingdom means letting go of distractions and trusting that God’s way is best.
Consider how this passage applies to your life. Are you weighed down by financial worries, career ambitions, or the pursuit of comfort? Jesus calls us to release our burdens and trust that He is enough.
What step can you take today to simplify your heart and life, seeking first the kingdom of God?
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