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Setting Priorities
First things first. We often hear it said. We often say it ourselves. Sometimes people talk about priorities. That’s another way of saying, First things first.
The Bible say it, too - from Genesis to Revelation. Jesus put it this way, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" (Matthew 6:33).
Mixed-up priorities
Many people don’t put God first in their lives. Money, work, romance, family, sports, entertainment, pleasure, education and a host of other things come first. Long ago King Solomon made that same mistake. He gave his heart to the pursuit of wealth, pleasure and wisdom. Finally Solomon came to realize that this led nowhere. "Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!" groaned Solomon (Ecclesiastics 1:2).
That’s where mixed-up priorities always lead - emptiness and, if persisted in, an eternity without God.
Church members are not immune from this tragedy. Sometimes people think they can use God to get all kinds of worldly things for themselves. They go to church, lead respectable lives and contribute to the Lord’s work. For this they expect God to pay them off with success, honor health and a life of ease. Jesus strongly warns against such misplaced values, "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain" (Matthew 15:8,9).
Where do our hearts lie? Martin Luther wrote, "That upon which you set your heart and put your trust, is in reality your god." Do we tell our children that God is most important, but neglect to show it in our lives? Are our weeks too crowded for devotions and prayers? Is Sunday worship easily replaced by almost anything else that comes along? Do our gifts for God come as the "firstfruits" or after everything else has been paid for?
God’s priorities
The Lord says, "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). God and the things of God are to be everyone’s priorities.
The good Lord doesn’t set this before us as a burden to make our lives gray and dreary. Rather, he gives us a motivation so that we want to put him first. That motivations the love of Christ. "Christ’s love compels us" (2 Corinthians 5:14).
Although we have often sinned by putting God last in our lives, he hasn’t treated us that way. In his love God has put us first. He has showered us with blessings for life in this world: food, clothing, families, a good government, education. And that’s not all. He’s given us the Savior, forgiveness, peace with God and everlasting life.
When we consider all this, it’s a lot easier to keep our priorities straight. We will gladly put God and his work first. And we will budget our time, talents and money accordingly.
Keeping God first helps us put everything else in line. For example, it helps us put work in the proper perspective. God says, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might" (Ecclesiastes9:10). We may be students, homemakers, office workers or factory workers. Whatever our role in life we should do our best. Why? Because that’s the way God wants it. In using our God-given abilities we honor the Lord.
As we study the Bible we learn of other priorities which follow from God being first in our lives. Parents are to train their children in God’s way (Ephesians 6:4); they are also to provide for their families (1 Timothy 5:8). We are to help those in need (Matthew 25:31-46) and support the government (Matthew 22:21).
Living by scriptural priorities is an on going challenge, as we try to maintain a proper balance of our resources. Under God’s guidance we will give the necessary attention to our family, work, church and recreation. While we live by god’s priorities we also enjoy his blessings of peace and joy and contentment.
Oh, blest the house whate’er befall,
Where Jesus Christ is all in all!
Suggestions
Every day presents us with many opportunities to teach priorities to our children. Here are a few:
Devotions and prayers. Set aside a regular time for family devotions. Teach your children from infancy on to say prayers at mealtime and bedtime.
Report cards and activities. Remind children that through school work and other activities they can use their abilities. Good grades or poor grades become opportunities to discuss what is really important - namely, doing our best. In and of themselves grades are not important. The same holds true for winning and losing in sports and other contests. Teach children the joy of participating and using their artistic, intellectual, musical or physical gifts. Winning is not the important thing, even though many might feel, "Winning is everything". Help children keep a good balance, so they won’t become arrogant with success or overly discouraged with setbacks.
Friendships. Children want and need friends. Yet the pressure to make friends shouldn’t lead them to forget their best Friend. Jesus is always with them. Pleasing him comes before pleasing others.
Our example. We need to remind ourselves that the attitudes of the heart are what matter. As Luther said in his Ninety-five Theses, our entire life should be one or repentance. Our example of daily dependence on God and confidence in his promises is the best lesson we can give our children.
All these are ways to help the next generation of Christians set godly priorities. It’s the all-important task of putting first things first!
Something to think about
Review the Mary-Martha story (Luke 10:38-42). Why was Mary’s way "better"? When can a good thing (Martha’s housework) become less than good? Can you think of present-day parallels?
Discuss some of today’s widely held priorities. How can we and our children escape being pulled into them?
Discuss the above-mentioned "Suggestions." Think of additional ways Christian parents can use everyday occurrences to teach their children priorities.
When might even Bible reading or church attendance have to give way to other priorities? Why is the attitude of the heart so important in determining what to do?
Why must the gospel, the love of God in Christ (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:14). Be the focal point of our lives? How does it keep everything else in a proper setting?
Write out a list of typical activities you and your family engage in. How does God’s Word affect your planning, your budget, your daily schedule, your attitude?
Prayer
Dear Lord, everything we have is from you. Forgive us for not always putting you first. Enable us to love you more fully, and help us to pass the truly important values on to our children. In the Savior’s name. Amen.
The Family of God series is copyright © 1985 Northwestern Publishing House. and is published under the auspices of PACE (Partners Advancing Christian Education), Wisconsin Lutheran High School Conference, Milwaukee, WI. Reprinted by permission.
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