What is the Kingdom of God? We hear the phrase so often, but what does it actually mean?
The Kingdom of God refers to God’s supreme and everlasting reign. Earthly kingdoms rise and fall, but God’s kingdom remains unshaken. It is not defined by borders or thrones. It is the rule of God in the hearts and lives of those who submit to His will.
Why the Kingdom Matters
For every believer, the Kingdom of God should be our foremost pursuit. Sadly, many fall prey to the enemy because their goals are misaligned—they chase success, recognition, or material gain, while neglecting the Kingdom.
Now, it’s not wrong to desire greatness, wealth, or influence. In fact, those things can serve God’s purposes when used rightly. But they should never become the main focus. Jesus was clear when He said:
“Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”
Matthew 6:33
When we reverse this order, that is, seeking “all these things” before the Kingdom, we risk stepping outside of God’s protective will. And outside of God’s will, many have found themselves in dangerous or compromising situations.
Judas Iscariot lived in the very presence of Jesus, yet he never truly sought the Kingdom. His heart was fixed on material gain. In the end, he lost both the money he craved and the kingdom. Most tragically, he lost his life and his soul. (Matt. 27:3-5, Acts 1:18)
This is the danger of misaligned priorities. When we place worldly things above God’s Kingdom, we not only risk losing those things, but also our souls. The kingdom of God should come first. Getting other things follows after.
What Does It Mean to Seek the Kingdom?
Seeking the Kingdom doesn’t mean withdrawing from life or abandoning non-spiritual pursuits. It simply means making God’s will your priority in every area of life.
It’s not about being a preacher or living in a monastery. It’s about being kingdom-minded in everyday life. Your mind thinks “how can I glorify God in this situation”, “how can I represent God today”. It’s beyond service and activities. It is an innate desire to please God through every action and thought.
Daniel, through his faithfulness and humility, brought glory to God’s name, such that even pagans acknowledged God (Daniel 6:26–27). Mordecai served under King Ahaseurus (Esther 1-6) with excellence and integrity, in line with God’s will. These weren’t religious rituals; they were everyday acts lived in obedience to God.
The Kingdom of God is not just a spiritual realm. It’s a way of life here on earth. A kingdom-oriented life is one that consistently asks, “What is God’s will in this situation?” and chooses to obey it. That’s what seeking the Kingdom means: being consistently aligned with God’s will, in every decision, relationship, opportunity, and response.
The Rewards of Seeking God’s Kingdom
God is not unjust. The disciples who followed Christ lacked nothing. And even today, no one who truly seeks after God’s kingdom is ever forsaken.
In the verses leading up to Matthew 6:33, Jesus was telling His followers not to worry, about food, clothing, or tomorrow. His point was clear: mind God’s business, and He will mind yours.
Maybe the antidote to your anxiety and constant worrying is a shift in focus—away from your needs and toward the Kingdom. Jesus gave a compelling illustration:
“Look at the birds of the air… they neither sow nor reap nor store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
Matthew 6:26
The birds do what they were created to do, and God takes care of the rest. So why wouldn’t He do the same for you?
It’s not far-fetched to believe that every other thing will be added unto you. When you are centered in God’s will, you naturally attract the good things that align with your calling. If God never abandons the birds of the air or the flowers of the field, how much more will He care for you whom He gave His Spirit to?
In essence, God takes care of His own. So seek first His Kingdom…and do so above all else.
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