All These Things

   Interestingly, there are two situations in the Gospel of Matthew where the promise to receive “all these things” is given. Jesus speaks in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” In Matthew 4:9 it is the devil who says that, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” In both situations there is an entity who gives the promise, there is the promise given, and there is some terms which are necessary for obtaining the promise. In neither instance are we encouraged to focus upon “these things”. “These things” were incidental to the real issue which was what or whom are we focused upon. In both situations there is some form of worship or object of focus upon which our attention is to be given. Satan says, “worship me”. Jesus says, “seek God’s kingdom and a right relationship with God.”
     So we are provided with two choices or two methods for obtaining “these things”. One is provided by Satan, the other through God. Which should we choose, which is the better source?
   Well, perhaps the best solution is to go with the stronger. In Matthew 4:10,11, as Jesus and Satan are conversing, Jesus challenges Satan saying, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ Then the Devil left.” The words and nature of Jesus were victorious, the defeated one (Satan) left.  
All of this is a nice insight and a nice lesson on how we are to seek first God’s kingdom.  Many would say, “I would never worship Satan or the devil,” but perhaps the bigger challenge is how much are we caught up with “all of these things” which are around us.  How much does God affect us and how much do these other things affect us?  It is one thing to know that our Lord Jesus should affect us more than all the stuff that is around us, but it is another thing to actually live that out.