Making Money - Two Factors You Control
One scripture verse keeps Believers going when faith grows thin…
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." -Matthew 6:33
You can quote it by heart, yet when asked what it means to seek the Kingdom and His righteousness first, you will get 100 different answers from 100 others.
I believe we, as Christians, do good things in the world. That should count for something. But how do we know that the good things we do are seeking the Kingdom?
What about this one: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." -Romans 8:28
Again, often referred to and misquoted just as often. I've heard and even said myself, "...all things work together for good…" many times, but that is taken out of context. There are some qualifications for all things working together for good:
- "…to them that love God",
- "...to them who are called…"
- "...according to His purpose."
It's easy to believe that all things are working together for good. It takes the pressure off and provides hope that inspires us when we feel helpless.
But without knowing His burrowing, what we are called to, and how best to love God, we can't know if we are meeting the qualification necessary for all things to work together for our good.
Thankfully, we have the Holy Spirit with us. We have the gift of inspiration. We can receive personal revelation to know the mind and will of God.
Without that Divine connection, we cannot know if the good things we choose to do are God's purpose. If we don't know God, we cannot see if we are in line with His righteousness. We cannot love whom we do not know.
Many of us feel called, driven to share a message or to unfold a portion of His mysteries. We call this our purpose. But this scripture calls it God's purpose. We are fulfilling God's purpose when we share that message.
Blessedly, our original relationship with God as our Father qualifies us to come to Him at any time, and He will hear, He will give instruction, and He will make all things work together for good so that His purpose is fulfilled. Yes, for His glory. And because He loves us. He knows serving those we feel called to is the only way to feel true joy and fulfillment.
Some resist the idea of predestination. Some say they want to choose what they do with their lives. Some feel that obedience to statements given through inspiration takes away our agency.
I say that connecting with my Father, seeking that His Kingdom be built according to His purpose, asking to be part of His plan and that I will be used in a way that will utilize my divine gifts IS THE ONLY WAY to happiness and fulfillment.
My favorite way to connect with God daily is through my Daily GPS (Gratitude, Prayer, and Scripture). Here's a free guide and journal page link if you want to try it out. https://mentoring.wylenebenson.com/daily-gps-2023
And as we come to Him daily, all things will work together for our good because our good is also God's good. And He will clear the path for His purpose to be fulfilled.
The only reason there are multiple answers to what it means to seek the Kingdom first is that each person plays a different role in God's bigger purpose. There is no one answer. We each ask and get additional instruction according to His purpose.
Just as we are all members of the body of Christ, we have different gifts, and we all uniquely fulfill God's purpose. We are happiest when we know what that role is and do it. Life is most accessible, and all things do work together for good.
By coming to Him daily, we can know our role. By taking action on the inspired shortcuts He leads us, our lives can be rich and full of joy, gratitude, and love. We have access to God's mind and will if we turn to Him in love and trust.
Thanks for reading. I'd love to read your comments below!
