Today’s Scripture: Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Someone once asked John Wanamaker, that great American pioneer of the department store, “How do you get the time to run a Sunday school for four thousand scholars, in addition to the business of your stores, your work as Postmaster-General, and other obligations?” Instantly Mr. Wanamaker replied: “Why, the Sunday school is my business! All other things are just things. Forty-five years ago I decided that God’s promise was sure: ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.'”
Provision is a key concern for most of the earth’s inhabitants. And understandably so. We need a steady flow of material provisions to meet our personal needs and even to fulfil altruistic goals. But the truth is, a great majority of the earth’s troubles are the direct results of man’s quest for provision. It consumes us. We spend our waking hours scheming for bread and return to bed at night preoccupied with thoughts of how to provide for ourselves and dependents, and oftentimes, this leaves us with little or no time or thought for others.
This must have been the concern of the inquirer when he posed his question to Wanamaker. And what a classic answer he gave. Provision will always find and overtake us in the place of service. What we ought to do is invert the order we have grown accustomed to. Rather than spend our time pursing provision, let us spend our time pursuing the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
And what else is the kingdom of God but working to bring others into a relationship with Christ and helping as many people as possible get out of pain and suffering, and into a place where they are able to fulfil their potentials. Let us make haste to serve. The one who serves will never lack anything. He that waters will also be watered. Keep an eye out for others, and God will keep an eye out for you. Wanamaker ran a chain of stores, served as Post-master General amongst a host of other obligations, but he ran a Sunday School as a matter of priority. There is a lot we can learn from here. Make service a priority and God will ensure you have enough time, energy and resources to meet all your other responsibilities. This is an urgent call. Start today. Start now. Serve! The Lord will help you, in Jesus name!
Memorize & Meditate:
“…And he who waters will also be watered himself” Proverbs 11:25
Prayer & Confession:
Teach me to serve Lord. Teach me to seek first Your kingdom and righteousness, even as You add every other thing to me. Thank You Father for blessing me as I serve, in Jesus name! Amen.
