In Matthew 6:25–32, Jesus addresses our everyday anxieties—worries about food, shelter, clothing, and basic survival. He reassures His listeners by pointing to how God faithfully cares for the birds and adorns the flowers, reminding them that they are far more valuable in His eyes. Jesus emphasizes that our Heavenly Father already knows our needs, even before we ask. With that assurance, He gives a clear instruction: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
The people listening to Jesus were living under Roman occupation, experiencing high taxes, poverty, and political oppression. Their daily lives were filled with uncertainty and struggle. Many of them were hoping for a political Messiah to overthrow Rome and establish a physical kingdom. But Jesus introduced a different kind of kingdom—one not built by military power or wealth, but by righteousness, peace, and submission to God’s rule in the heart. So when Jesus said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God,” He wasn’t telling them to rise up in rebellion against Roman rule—He was telling them to look upward to a Kingdom not of this world (John 18:36).
Similarly, the Jewish society at the time was steeped in legalism. The Pharisees emphasized religious rituals and outward obedience to the law, but often neglected the inward transformation God desired. When Jesus spoke of the Kingdom, He wasn’t pointing to external religious rituals or temple systems. He was calling people to live under God’s rule with transformed hearts—marked by humility, mercy, love, and justice. In this context, seeking the Kingdom meant embracing a life of internal transformation, not just external performance.
Jesus wanted His followers to understand this: You don’t have to chase after the things the world runs after. When God is truly first, everything else falls into place. His goal is to help people break free from fear, self-reliance, misplaced priorities, and a false sense of security. He was offering them (and us today) a new way to live—one rooted in trust, focused on God’s purposes, and anchored in the values of His Kingdom. Yet, in the chaos of daily life, it can be easy to stray from this path. Here are five signs you are drifting away from this central mission:
1. Seeking Material Wealth Over Spiritual Growth
In a world that constantly emphasizes material success, it’s easy to become fixated on accumulating wealth and possessions. While there is nothing inherently wrong with money, when it becomes your primary focus, it diverts your attention away from what truly matters—a thriving relationship with God. Jesus warned against this in Matthew 6:24, saying, “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve both God and money.” If the pursuit of material wealth has taken precedence over deepening your relationship with God and growing spiritually, it’s a sign that your heart is not aligned with His Kingdom. True fulfillment goes beyond material possessions. It comes not from wealth, but from a thriving relationship with God.
2. Pursuing Personal Ambition Without Regard for God’s Will
Ambition can drive us to accomplish great things, but when personal ambition becomes a primary motivation without considering or accommodating God’s will, it can lead us astray. If you’re making decisions based solely on your own desires and plans, without any regard for God’s will or without seeking His direction, you’re likely prioritizing your own agenda over His Kingdom. Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” True success in God’s eyes comes from aligning our ambitions with His will.
3. Prioritizing Earthly Pleasures Over Righteousness
This world offers countless pleasures and distractions, from entertainment and comforts to indulgences of every kind. However, when we seek these earthly pleasures over righteousness (right relationship with God and fellow humans), we are placing our immediate gratification ahead of God’s eternal purposes. Jesus cautions us in Matthew 16:26, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” If the pursuit of temporary pleasures is consuming your time and energy, it’s a sign that you are not seeking the Kingdom of God first. The Kingdom of God calls us to embrace God as the moral authority over our lives, and live according to His righteousness, placing eternal values above fleeting desires.
4. Living Selfishly Instead of Serving Others
At the heart of the Kingdom of God is selfless love and service. Jesus Himself came to serve, not to be served (Mark 10:45). If your life revolves around your own comfort, success, and personal gain, at the expense of others, you may not be putting God’s Kingdom first. When we fail to serve others or care for the needs of those around us, we are missing the heart of the Kingdom. The Kingdom is about loving others as Christ loves us, and if we live in selfishness rather than selflessness, we are living contrary to God’s call.
5. You’re More Concerned with Instant Gratification Than Faithfulness
Following Jesus is not always comfortable. It requires sacrifice, obedience, and often stepping out of our comfort zones. If you’re more concerned about maintaining comfort and avoiding risk than about living faithfully to God’s call, it’s a strong indication that you’re not seeking first the Kingdom of God. The opposite of faithfulness is unfaithfulness or infidelity. These terms describe a lack of loyalty, reliability, or commitment to God. Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Seeking the Kingdom often means making choices that aren’t easy, but which honor God above all.
Realign Your Priorities
If any of these signs resonate with you, it may be time to take a step back and reflect on where your priorities lie. Seeking first the Kingdom of God requires intentionality and surrender—it means putting God’s will above personal success, pursuing inner transformation rather than outward appearance, trusting Him instead of being consumed by worry, choosing righteousness over temporary pleasures of sin, serving others instead of living selfishly, and remaining faithful even when it’s easier to chase quick rewards.. The good news is that God is always ready to help us realign our hearts. It’s not too late to shift your focus, return to Him, and allow His Kingdom to take center stage in your life.
