Believers should seek the kingdom of heaven first because Christ commanded it and promised that every other need would then be added.
Jesus said to seek first the kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things would be added (Matthew 6:33). Les Feldick connects this to Colossians 3, where believers are told to seek things above and set their affection on eternal things. Material possessions are not wrong in themselves, but they become a problem only when they become the believer's top priority.
Matthew 6:33 — Christ's direct command to seek the kingdom first, with the promise that needed earthly things will be added.
Colossians 3:1-2 — The risen believer is to seek and set affection on things above, where Christ is, rather than on earthly things.
1 Corinthians 4:5 — The Lord will reveal hidden motives and give praise to every believer at His coming, giving purpose to a kingdom-first life.
Scripture calls the believer to put the kingdom first. Jesus said, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33). The promise is that earthly needs will be supplied when the priority is right. Colossians 3:1-2 makes the same priority explicit for believers: "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." The risen life is therefore to be oriented toward heaven. Paul also says in 1 Corinthians 4:5 that the Lord will "bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God." This future praise is part of why the kingdom is to come first.
Les Feldick teaches that the command to seek the kingdom of heaven first is a matter of priorities. In [Clip 1], he says that being risen with Christ changes a believer's appetites and desires and that the Lord's words, "Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven, and all these things will be added unto you," are the pattern. Believers are not called to live like monks; they can enjoy life, but heaven must be their first interest. He is equally clear that the problem is not material things but the priority they are given. In [Clip 2], he says the Bible does not condemn things, provided priorities are straight, and warns that becoming hung up on the temporal makes a believer lose sight of the eternal. In [Clip 6], he notes that in the age of grace God has promised a roof, clothes, and food, and that any material blessing beyond that is grace — but wealth becomes wrong when it becomes the priority. In [Clip 7], he says there is nothing wrong with accumulating wealth or leaving an estate, even something "your kids can fight over." Feldick also ties this to the future reward. In [Clip 0], he explains that believers will not receive their reward until the end of time because their impact on others continues; the Lord, the righteous judge, will reveal the full result at the last time. In [Clip 5], he says this "primary thing" supersedes everything else, and that other activities (growing in grace, witnessing, giving) follow in their rightful place — this is why believers are left here.
No. Les Feldick says there is nothing wrong with material blessings or accumulating wealth; the Bible does not condemn things. The issue is priority. If material things become the believer's main concern, the believer loses sight of the eternal. In the age of grace, God has promised the basics — a roof over your head, clothes on your back, and food to eat — and everything beyond that is grace. Believers may work, plan, and enjoy blessings, but the kingdom must stay first.
For Les Feldick, this is practical Christianity. Colossians 3:1-2 says to seek those things which are above and to set affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Feldick applies this to everyday life: it does not mean being so heavenly minded you are no earthly good, nor does it mean living frugally or as a Spartan. It means the believer's priorities are set heavenward. Temporal things perish; eternal things are what last. In fact, he observes that anticipation of a material thing is often more exciting than getting it, but anticipation of eternal things will be exceeded by the realization.
According to Les Feldick, the reward is not necessarily now. He explains that believers will not receive their full reward until the end of time because their impact on people continues after they are gone. The Lord, the righteous judge, will reveal at the last time what the final impact really was. This is why the eternal priority matters: life today is directed toward the day when believers may receive praise from God. Meanwhile, believers are left here to carry on His work.
Reward Revealed at the Last Time
Les explains that God waits until the end to reveal the full impact of a believer's life, so eternal priorities matter and rewards come later.
The Priority of Seeking Heaven First
Les connects being risen with Christ to changed appetites and quotes Jesus' command to seek first the kingdom; heaven must be the believer's first interest.
Eternal Things Over Temporal Things
Les contrasts today's temporal mindset with the eternal things that matter and warns against letting material 'things' take top priority.
Set Your Affection on Things Above
Les says practical Christianity means setting priorities heavenward and seeking Christ on the right hand of God without living like a Spartan.
Earthly Things Perish; Eternal Things Satisfy
Les illustrates how perishable possessions can become 'blah' after they are realized, while eternal realities will be even better than anticipated.
The Primary Thing That Supersedes Everything
Les says the primary priority supersedes everything else, and all other works follow in their rightful place — which is why believers remain here.
Material Blessings Are Not Wrong, But Priority Is
Les says God promises believers only basic necessities in this age; material wealth is allowed but becomes displeasing to God when it becomes the priority.
Wealth and Daily Work Are Not Wrong
Les reassures believers they can work, plan, accumulate wealth, and leave an estate for children; the key is keeping two different worlds in order.
Matthew 6:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
This is the central command to put the kingdom first, with the promise that earthly needs will be supplied.
Colossians 3:1: If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
It connects the believer's risen position in Christ to a life that seeks heavenly things.
Colossians 3:2: Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
It gives the practical instruction for where a believer's affections and priorities should be placed.
1 Corinthians 4:5: Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
It explains that the Lord will reveal hidden motives and give praise at His coming, which is the ultimate reason to live for His approval.
2 Corinthians 4:18: While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
It contrasts temporal things with eternal things, supporting the believer's priority on the eternal kingdom.
No. Les Feldick says the Bible does not condemn things, and there is nothing wrong with accumulating wealth or enjoying life. The problem is making material things the top priority. When the kingdom is first, other things can be added and enjoyed in their proper place.
Believers set their priorities heavenward by letting eternal things occupy their first interest. Les Feldick says this is practical Christianity; it doesn't mean becoming a monk or living like a Spartan, but it does mean that Christ and heavenly things direct the believer's desires.
Les Feldick teaches that believers will not receive their full reward until the end of time, because their impact on others continues to unfold. At last, the Lord, the righteous judge, will reveal what the final impact was.
No. Les Feldick says there is nothing wrong with accumulating an estate, even one your kids can fight over. The warning is only when wealth or possessions become a priority ahead of the kingdom.
Watch the Teaching: Why Does God Wait Until the End to Judge? — 1 Corinthians 4 Explained