first things first...

Matthew 6:33 (Read the whole chapter)
    This chapter deals with things, good things, that we often do, but in the wrong ways.
      Jesus teaching here comes from the Sermon on the Mount, and He wants His listeners (and us) to know that we may do commendable things, but, we may do them out of ritual, and not for the right reasons.
      He tells them that their giving was wrong (1-4) because they gave with wrong motives. In vs 5-15, He informs them that their praying was wrong, and then instructs as to how they should pray. In verses 16-18, He shows them how their fasting was also wrong and points our the proper attitude.
     All these behaviors, giving, praying and fasting, are commendable religious acts, but without the proper understanding and heart's attitude, they become mere ritual.
     "Therefore" (vs 25), means 'on the basis of these things, heed the following'. In verses 25-34 Jesus teaches a lesson on attitude towards life. The summary of which is in verses 33-34.
     All the things we lack in order to make our lives more comfortable and enjoyable stress us out. We want 'more' so we work 'more'. Sometimes, our desires for more get us deeper into debt, which increases our stress. We focus on what we want, yet find that these things are fleeting in satisfaction,
     We must adjust our focus in order to see the importance of eternal things. His promise is that He will provide all the things necessary...the things we fret so much about, when we focus first on His kingdom.
    Someone once said, "It is my business to take care of His business and it is His business to take care of my business."
     When we learn to put the first things first, God takes care of the rest.

Jeremy Camp penned the words to GIVE ME JESUS - a good reminder of what is really important both in life and death. Give it a listen.