First Things First

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"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God." (Matthew 6:33).

In all things, at all times, our first and foremost thought should be fixed upon God's will. "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it," the Bible tells us. "Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." (Psalm 127:1).

The fool has said, "There is no God." And only a fool would choose to live his or her life without seriously taking God into account. While it may not be fashionable, or even popular; and though it be ridiculed by those who boast in their own strength and abilities; nevertheless, putting God first in everything is the wisest and surest way to live one's life.

And it certainly is the best way to start a new year.

These are times of great uncertainty and increasing difficulty. A time when the wisdom of man continually baffles us with its sheer stupidity, as one plan after another backfires in the hands of inept experts. With things teetering and collapsing all about us, it's good to know that the only economy which will stand and thrive is that which comes from trusting God.

Jesus said, "What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." (Matthew 6:31-34, The Message).

The best thing you can do from this day forward is "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God." That is what you call putting first things first.

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