In His Name Devotionals
PUTTING FIRST THINGS FIRST
In His Name Devotionals
PUTTING FIRST THINGS FIRST
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 NKJV)
We might classify what we do in two ways. First, is it right or wrong in itself? Second, if it is right in itself, what relative importance should it have in my life? Jesus teaches us to not only avoid such sins as stealing, lying, murder, and adultery, but also to put first things first in reference to those things right in themselves. “My ways are not your ways neither are my thoughts your thoughts” declared the Lord in Isaiah 55:8.
In the verse to “... seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you,” the comparison is not with things wrong themselves, but with food, clothing, and shelter in contrast with God’s kingdom. In Matthew 6:31-32 Jesus teaches to take “no thought of what we shall eat or what we shall drink or how shall we be clothed, for our heavenly Father knows we have need of all these things.” We should not put physical needs above spiritual needs.
One way we can apply the principal of “putting first things first” in our lives is in attending the worship services of the church. We should not let other outside activities interfere with our worship services.
If we will put “first things first” we will bear much fruit for the Lord. We will lay up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. Let us examine our standard of values for ourselves and our children and put first things first. God must be first in our lives if we expect to reap the reward of a home in heaven with the redeemed of all ages.
