First Things First

First things first is the principle Jesus Christ Himself provided to guide and direct us in our busy, hectic lives.

In our busy, hectic lives, we need to juggle various things. Usually, all at the same time.

We all have our responsibilities. To provide for our family. Set aside time for them. Put in a good day’s work. Pay our bills.

As reliable individuals, we cannot neglect those.

There is a time and a place for everything, but it doesn’t mean we neglect one or the other. Rather, it’s a matter of keeping them in proper balance. So, we need to think in terms of the highest importance. In other words, learn to prioritize.

First things first is the principle Jesus Christ Himself provided to guide and direct us. He said “This you should have done, and not left the other undone” (Luke 11:42).

Too many in the world today put their top priority on accumulating wealth and material possessions. Nothing wrong with that. God wants us to be successful and prosperous.

He blessed Abraham with much wealth. When Job repented of his foolish thinking, God doubled his material possessions. Nowhere in the Bible does God condemn wealth.

But our primary focus must be something else of far greater importance.

Examine what Jesus Christ said in Matthew 6:33.

33 But seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

To enjoy the success and prosperity that lasts, the Kingdom of God and His righteousness must be the top priority in our lives.

But is this practical?

Let’s be realistic. Realigning our priorities is not going to be easy. 

In fact, it will be a tough and difficult challenge. It won’t happen instantly. Any worthwhile pursuit involves time. It requires effort and determination.

But if we actually set out to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, we will redirect our lives MORE and MORE towards that objective. It becomes more than just a casual, interesting possibility or hope.

Before we start on the HOW to achieve that goal, what do we mean the Kingdom of God and His righteousness?

At this present time, we are living in two distinctly different worlds: the corrupt world today that’s taking its last, dying breath and the soon-coming, wonderful world tomorrow of peace and happiness under God’s divine rule and government.

That new world — the Kingdom of God — will soon be here.

Sooner than we think.

And we need to be ready. Spiritually ready by obeying and living by God’s law. His Ten Commandments. The Bible says God’s law is righteousness (Psalms 119:172). God, not man, determines what is right and what is wrong.

Man’s first mistake was to defy God and take to himself the authority to determine right from wrong. The consequence of that decision is all the trouble, chaos, mayhem and wickedness that we see today.

And that’s why life has become an endless struggle to survive. Not thrive. God intended for us to live life more abundantly (John 10:10). A life filled with meaning, satisfaction and purpose.

An eternity of lasting success and real happiness is what God is offering us in the Kingdom of God.

Now, how do we seek after the Kingdom of God and pursue His righteousness?

God wants us to trust Him. Totally rely on Him. Explicitly, implicitly, and without any doubt.

Open your Bible to Luke chapter 12 and begin reading in verse 22.

22 . . .“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on.

23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.”

Now, drop down to verse 29.

29 “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.

30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.

God promises to provide for ALL our needs. Not necessarily our wants. But occasionally, He will, if it’s good for us.

That’s not an empty promise. God requires us to believe and trust and put our confidence in Him.

So when God promises, “I'm going to be there for you. I'll never leave you nor forsake you,” He’s saying, “I’ve got big plans in mind for you in My Kingdom. I'm pulling for you to overcome and grow so that one day you can be born into My family.

I will heal you. I will protect you. I will look after you.

I will provide for you. I will forgive you. I will mold and shape and instruct you.”

He’s going to do ALL of those things.

He’s going to keep ALL of His promises.

So we put our confidence in Him and trust Him completely; relying on Him to keep His word, because He’s going to keep it.

We can count on Him to be there for us. It may not be when or how we expect it. That will be up to Him.

All we know is He’s God. Nothing is too hard. Nothing is impossible for Him.

And we know, beyond any doubt, He knows best because He’s perfect.

So we’re going to do our part, and we’re going to patiently wait on Him to do what He says He'll do. And it may not come WHEN we want it or HOW we expect it to.

But we can rest assured He will work it all out the best way at the perfect time for our benefit.

We put ourselves in HIS hands. And that’s the best, the safest, the surest place we can ever be in.

And, when Christ restores the Kingdom of God here on the earth, we will receive our inheritance — exceedingly greater, filled with more splendor and majesty — than you or I can even begin to imagine.

And it is ours, IF we are seeking first the Kingdom of God and HIS righteousness.