Putting God First

Many people miss out on receiving the blessings God has planned for them simply because they do not put Him first.

Firsts are important to God. In the first commandment, God said, “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3). Clearly, He wants to be ahead of everything else in your life. He wants you to put Him before your church, your job, your money, your possessions, and even your spouse and children. He wants to be your #1 priority.

Not putting God first is like buttoning your coat incorrectly, if you get the first button wrong, all the others will be wrong. The good news is when you get the first button right, all the others will line up, too. When we put God first, everything else in our life will begin to align as well.

What most people don’t understand is that God had a wonderful benefits package prepared for those who put Him first. It is designed to cover all your daily needs and keep you free from anxiety, Jesus describes this in Matthew 6:25-33,

“Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Is it like more than food, and the body more than clothing? See the birds of the sky, they don’t, sow neither do they reap, nor gather in barns. Your Heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you much more value than they? Which of you, by being anxious, and add one moment to his lifespan? Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin, yet I tell you that, even Solomon, in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, And tomorrow is thrown in the oven, won’t He much more clothe for you, you have a little faith. Therefore, don’t be anxious, saying what we eat,? What will we drink,? Or, with what will we be clothed. For the gentiles seek after all the things. But seek first God, kingdom, and His righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:25-33.

Everything we have comes from God. He created the heavens and the earth. He made us and breathe life into our lungs. He gave each of us time, Treasure, and talents to use while living on earth, and He will bless whatever we dedicate to Him.

Satan, however, does not want us to experience a blessed life. In fact, John 10;10 Tells us that the devil comes to steal, kill and destroy. He will try whatever he can to keep us from using our time, treasure, and talents first and foremost for God. But Jesus said, “I have come that you may have life, and have in more abundantly.” If you and I truly want to have blessed lives, The devil cannot stop us.

It’s important for each of us to evaluate our priorities from time to time to avoid being distracted from putting God first. If you are not seeing God’s blessing in action, then it is especially important to consider what you are doing with your time, treasure and talents.

Time

God created everything -even time. Solomon made it very clear in the third chapter of Ecclesiastes that, from being born and dying, there is a time for everything.

When was the last time you stopped and reflecting on how you were spending your time that God has given, think about it are you putting Him first with your time, are you spending it on things that will honor Him. I know I have to be careful, I have to be self-discipline spending time with God before watching on my favorite shows. Where do you spend your quality time? Do you spend it with your spouse and children, to encourage them in the Lord?

Treasure

The Bible has a lot to say about money and material possessions. 16 of Jesus’s parables (and one of every ten New Testament scriptures), deal with money, so it is apparent that how we feel about money – and what we do with it, is important to God.

Jesus said, “ do not let up yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and thieves break in and steal, but lay up treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thrives do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21), earthly treasures are temporary, but the money you spend on eternal things – like supporting a local church, sharing Gods love, reaching out to help others. Those make an impact that will last forever.

God has entrusted you with finances, how do you use it? Are you faithful and honor himwith it, are you using a portion of the money to take good care of your family you sure thanks to God by giving cheerfully and generously to the things that are on His heart, or do you give I am what is left after most of your money you spent? This is something I need to work on. Are you giving God your “first fruits” or your “last fruits”?

Talents

1 Corinthians 12:18 tells us that, “God has sent the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.” He has given every person talents and abilities that should be used to honor Him and be a blessing to others.

Too often, people use their talents only for their own personal gratification, to make a living, or to impress others. It is good to ask yourself. “Am I using my talents for the Lord? Am I doing what God wants me to do? Am I making a difference in the kingdom of Gos?”

Remember, life on earth is temporary. God had given us all we are and all we have -our time, treasure and talents to invest for His kingdom and glory.

If we seek first the kingdom of God with out time, treasure and talents, we will experience the blessed life God has planned for you. You’ll see His power actively working on you, through you, and for you. His blessing will effect every area of your life including your marriage, your family, your relationship, your health, and your finances.

That’s the kind of life we all can have when we decide to put God first.