Significance (2)

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added to you”
Matthew 6:33

Making the significant insignificant. Last week we noted that the Bible warns us that things that God views as significant and important we may see as insignificant and unimportant. However, the opposite might also be true. There are things that are very significant to us, but God views as insignificant.

Food, shelter & clothing. After teaching that no one can serve two masters – God and riches – Jesus said, “…do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on…” (Mt 6:25). God knows and cares about us, so He asked why we worry so much about these? What is significant to us is often insignificant to God. Therefore, “…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and these things shall be added to you” (Mt 6:33).

Relationships. Jesus warned us: “A man’s foes will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me…” (Mt 10:36-37). When we choose to follow Christ, close relationships can feel threatened or even lost when unbelievers disapprove of our faith. If we place too much significance on our relationships with people our need for their approval can shake our faith and obedience. Jesus promises: “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit everlasting life” (Mt 19:29).

Being first. “So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen” (Mt 20:16). This was spoken by Jesus after telling the parable where a landowner paid everyone the same even though they worked varying amounts of hours throughout the day. We place importance on things like time and physical amounts, but God distributes His blessings as He wills. Sometimes we complain that we are not “first” – in time, opportunities, abilities – that we aren’t given as much notice or credit as others. But God places significance, not on being first, but on being faithful.

Although it can be challenging, it should be reassuring to know that God sees things differently than we do. We find worth in doing what the world views as significant, but God sees us and our worth differently. So, we look beyond the physical to what God values and try to make significant what He says is significant, and make insignificant what He makes insignificant.  dd