First Things First

“In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” – Proverbs 3:6 (TLB).

I think most people accept the fact that are all kinds of things that contend for our attention and time; they include our spouse, children, job, interests and hobbies to name a few. None of those things are necessarily bad. They only become a problem when we let them become more important or more of a priority than our relationship with God.

Deuteronomy 5:8-9 (NLT) says, “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind, or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.”

We have to guard against the things that occupy our time, money, thoughts and attention taking the place where God is supposed to be. We need to ask ourselves, “Is God first in my life, or do I have some idols that have displaced Him? 

Having a deep, intimate relationship requires us to put Him first in every area of our life. First Thessalonians 2:4 (AMP) says, “But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as [if we were trying] to please people [to gain power and popularity], but to please God who examines our hearts [expecting our best].”

Psalm 1:1-3 says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.”

I say it on a regular basis: When you decide to serve God with your whole heart and make Him first in your life, your life will be better. I say it that often because I believe the “key” to the Christian walk is knowing how, moment by moment, to put God first and learning to lean on Him. 

Take an honest look at your current priorities. Reflect on your life right now to consider what factors most determine how you choose to live. Where are you investing most of your time, money, and energy? Which relationships and activities do you devote yourself to every day? Where do you currently place God on your list of priorities? If your relationship with God isn’t your top priority right now, consider the changes you need to make God first.

Your life will be better when you make God your highest priority, over everyone and everything else in your life. 

Discussion Questions:

1. Why does God want us to put Him first?
2. What prevents us from putting God first? Is is pride, greed or fear, or something else?
3. What attitudes release me to put God first? Is it faith and/or love or something else?
4. Is there an area of your life where you have put God first? What difference did it make in your life?
5. What are some things Christians can do this week to put God first?