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Putting First Things First

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Time Is a Precious Commodity

The world is a massive place. There is a multitude of places to go, things to do, and people to see. However, there are only twenty-four hours in a day. That makes our time a precious commodity. If it is not possible to achieve all you want to accomplish in a twenty-four-hour time slot, then decisions of precedence have to be made. Here is an assessment of what things should be put first on our priority schedules.

There is a multitude of places to go, things to do, and people to see. However, there are only twenty-four hours in a day. That makes our time a precious commodity.

There is a multitude of places to go, things to do, and people to see. However, there are only twenty-four hours in a day. That makes our time a precious commodity.

The Ultimate Goal

Although the people in the world belong to various domains, countries, nations, states, or territories, according to Matthew 6:33, our optimum goal should be to achieve citizenship within another realm, "...seek ye first the kingdom of God..." (KJV). Woven into the very fabric of our day are choices. What to wear, getting to work on time, what to eat or drink, and what others think of us can easily distract our attention from what we should be putting first. God is not suggesting that we should not take care of our daily responsibilities or forfeit daily routines. However, He wants us to keep our primary goal at the forefront of our minds and hearts. Selecting the Kingdom of God as our highest goal helps us to maintain the determination and zeal to achieve it.

Selecting the Kingdom of God as our highest goal helps us to maintain the determination and zeal to achieve it.

Helps to Make Proper Choices

All of the people on earth have the power of choice. As our parent and loving Father, God wants us to make choices that He knows are right for us. For instance, a small child has the option to touch or not touch a hot stove. A parent knows what is best for the child and does not want the child to burn him or herself on the stove. Our Heavenly Parent knows that if we allow the goal of seeking His Kingdom to be overshadowed by other concerns, it may cause us to make wrong choices in life and time management. Those choices could result in us getting burned.

As a parent protects a child, our Heavenly Parent knows that if we allow the goal of seeking His Kingdom to be overshadowed by other concerns, it may cause us to make wrong choices in life. Those choices could result in us getting burned.

As a parent protects a child, our Heavenly Parent knows that if we allow the goal of seeking His Kingdom to be overshadowed by other concerns, it may cause us to make wrong choices in life. Those choices could result in us getting burned.

His Righteousness Also Comes First

Righteousness signifies virtuous, honorable, and ethical values. Those character traits describe and come from God. According to Matthew 6:33, God wants us also to put seeking His righteousness first on our list of priorities, "...seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness... (KJV). God explains in Matthew 5:6 that desiring His upright qualities to the point of hungering and thirsting for them will cause Him to place His steady hand of justice upon us. "God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice, for they will receive it in full" (NIV). God's Word admonishes that life's top priorities are His Kingdom and righteousness. Choosing to place these things first produces life's most favorable outcome.

Desiring God's upright qualities to the point of hungering and thirsting for them will cause Him to place His steady hand of justice upon us.

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All Else Falls Into Place

Once we have placed the primary goal of seeking God's kingdom and righteousness at the forefront of our decision-making choices, Matthew 6:33 goes on to state that everything else falls into place, "...But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (KJV). However, God is not saying that we should not work.

God wants us to work and use our gifts in conjunction with putting His kingdom first. Seeking God's kingdom and righteousness eliminates worry from our lives because He has promised us that He will provide all of our necessities.

God wants us to work and use our gifts in conjunction with putting His kingdom first. Seeking God's kingdom and righteousness eliminates worry from our lives because He has promised us that He will provide all of our necessities.

Work but Don't Worry

God states in Matthew 6: 26-30 that He feeds the birds of the air and clothes the lilies of the field. However, the birds still have to look for and find their food. Also, the flowers need to follow the rays of the sun to keep their apparel looking fresh. The blessing that God has bestowed upon all of us is a variety of talents and skills that He wants us to use responsibly. He wants us to work and use our gifts in conjunction with putting His kingdom first. Seeking God's kingdom and righteousness eliminates worry from our lives because He has promised us that He will provide all of our necessities..

Seeking God's kingdom and righteousness eliminates worry from our lives because He has promised us that He will provide all of our necessities.

It Isn't Easy

The pressures, pleasures, circumstances, and situations of life can, without a doubt, engulf us. In the deluge, the goal of seeking God's kingdom and righteousness can fall victim to a place less than first. We sometimes realize this when we feel the sting of a wrong choice or decision. But, even in the midst of whatever it is, God in His mercy provides a way for us to overcome and come back even stronger. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" Romans 8:28 (KJV). By choosing to seek God's Kingdom and His righteousness, we will come to know what putting first things first really means. It is then that we will make the best use of our time while making some of the best decisions of our lives.

Sources

Agu, Z. (2019, March 7). Seek ye first the kingdom of God meaning and sermon Read more: https://www.legit.ng/1220564-seek-ye-kingdom-god-meaning-sermon.html. Retrieved from https://www.legit.ng/1220564-seek-ye-kingdom-god-meaning-sermon.html

all these things shall be added unto you. (2014, June 21). Retrieved from http://www.craigkeener.com/tag/all-these-things-shall-be-added-unto-you/

Bible Tools. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/23316/eVerseID/23316

© 2020 Robert Odell Jr

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