Matthew 6:33 – But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Men, what is most important to you? What do you “seek first” in your life? I’ve heard it said that you know a man’s priorities if you just take a look at his checkbook and his calendar.
This verse shows us what we, as followers of Christ, should be prioritizing. It says to “seek first the kingdom of God”. When you need help, do you panic? Do you try to fix it by your own means? This verse instructs us to turn to God first for help.
What are the desires of your heart? Is it a larger bank account, success and accolades, the next
vacation, the newer car? This verse tells us to first fill our thoughts with His thoughts.
As men, often times we have a lot of irons in the fire, we have responsibilities, we have obligations and we have people to care for. None of those are bad, in fact, they are very good. But what happens often is the desires of our heart and the things that are valuable to our life all compete for our priority. If we are not careful, all of life’s treasures can compete for our affection and quickly bump God out of first place in our life.
We have to be intentional, and actively choose to give God first place in every area of our life.
What does this look like practically? It’s not putting God in a box and simply saying “God is first in my life, then my family, then work, etc.…”
I appreciate the heart behind that statement, and I have even said that myself before. But, the Lord has given me a new perspective on having Him as a priority in my life.
It’s not God, then – it is God in.
God is first in my family.
God is first in my work.
God is first with my money.
God is first in my calendar.
If we are not careful, we can act like we “did the God stuff” for the day with a quick reading of the Word and a prayer, then live our life our way like He doesn’t exist. To seek first the kingdom of God is to seek God first in every aspect of your life. Invite him in to each hat that you wear as a man (husband, father, provider, leader) and simply ask Him “Will your will be done first”.
I’m just curious, what is it, I have to loose by fully trusting and following God in all aspects of my life? If it all comes down to the battle between my flesh and the Spirit of God residing in my heart then why not submit to His authority rather than continuing to rely on my own judgment. It’s not been working out all that great so far.