"You cannot serve both God and money. Therefore I tell you ( who want to serve God), do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear ... your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well." - (Matthew 6:25-33) Those who haven't entered the kingdom cannot serve God and those who desire to serve God cannot serve money. As for those who have entered, they need not be anxious about their subsistence (livelihood, upkeep) because they have been assured of their welfare. Some "welfare states" ( the term refers to a type of governing in which the national government plays a key role in the protection and promotion of the economic and social well-being of its citizens) not only feed, clothe, house and educate their citizens but also do it for the immigrants to their nation. (Countries that use the welfare state concept include: the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Findland, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Austria, Greece, Japan, Netherlands, Switzerland, Iceland, Kuwait, Israel, Slovenia, Australia, South Korea, Estonia, Latvia, Israel, Canada, New Zealand and United States.) But none of these welfare states can claim that they take utmost care of their citizens, the way the Kingdom of God does ! Yet people are dying to (extremely eager to) migrate to these nations instead of seeking to enter the kingdom of God first! Which government has ever said to its citizens: "Do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?', for we know that you need them" ? No government can guarantee the well-being of all their citizens but the King of heaven has made this solemn promise to his subjects! However, the King wants everyone to 'seek first his kingdom and his righteousness' and not be like pagans who run after all these things, without realising that 'life is more important than food and the body more important than clothes.' Therefore, the King wants everyone to first secure their lives for eternity before toiling to earn a living; and clothe their bodies with garments of righteousness and not with filthy rags! All who have come to take refuge in the kingdom must continue to live by faith and walk in righteousness 'for in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith FROM FIRST TO THE LAST, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.' - (Habbakuk 2:4, Romans 1:17) Without being clothed with the righteousness of Christ, no one can gain 'citizenship in heaven' ( Philippians 3:20) and once we enter the kingdom of God, we must thereafter 'do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men' (2 Corinthians 8: 21) because that is the culture of heaven! We were declared righteous by faith to do what is right! Moreover, the King wants those who have already entered the kingdom, to bring in others and teach them to walk in righteousness. This is in essence the meaning of evangelism. But many who claim to have already entered the kingdom, still walk in unrighteousness, and yet masquerade as 'servants of righteousness' (2 Corinthians 11:15) trying to save others! 'Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did ... Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.' - (1 John 2:6,9) "This is my command: Love each other. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." - (John 15:16-17) Faith and Love are the the keys to receiving in the kingdom. Let's make sure we have entered the kingdom and are walking in righteousness and we will be taken care of gloriously. Amen.
Sam Matthews. K
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