Determining Priorities: Are We Putting God First?

Are we putting God first? Steph reminds us that we should check our priorities, and whether they show our love for God, and for others.

Major On The Majors And Minor On The Minors

Matthew 17:24-27 says,

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, ‘Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?’ ‘Yes, he does,’ he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. ‘What do you think, Simon?’ he asked. ‘From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?’ ‘From others,’ Peter answered. ‘Then the children are exempt,’ Jesus said to him. ^‘But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.’

Matthew 17:24-27

Have you ever heard the saying, “Major on the majors and minor on the minors”?

It simply means that we are not to expend our time and energy on things that don’t really matter.

It does seem rather ludicrous that the Creator of the universe would have to pay taxes, but that wasn’t what was truly important to Him.

Jesus Had His Priorities In Line

It’s interesting to read the Lord’s words: “… so that we may not cause offense …” Much of what he did offended the authorities: healing on the Sabbath, attracting followers, caring for society’s rejects, etc. But apparently, these things fell in line with God’s plans. Refusing to pay taxes did not. In today’s terms we would say others couldn’t find fault with His testimony. He did, indeed, practice what He preached.

Jesus had His priorities in line. By studying God’s Word and seeking counsel from godly men and women, we can do the same. And if our priorities are what they should be, we will set a good example for our children.

How Can We Determine Godly Priorities?

Matthew 22:36-40 says,

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.’

Matthew 22:36-40

Expending Energy

When we choose each thing on which we will expend time and energy, we should ask ourselves two questions:

1) Is this activity an expression of my love for God? and 2) How does this activity express my love for others?

Of course what we do is important, but so is the reason behind our activity.

First Samuel 16:7 says,

Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

First Samuel 16:7

God knows our motives. He knows if we truly love Him and others or if we’re just putting on a good show.

He also knows if we are offending people for the right reason. As I said, when it came to doing His Father’s will, Jesus didn’t hesitate to do what He knew full well the authorities wouldn’t like. But He wouldn’t let something as insignificant as paying taxes keep Him from majoring on the majors.

Learning To Put God First

Let’s consider that for a few moments. If we’re honest, for many of us financial issues are near the top of our list of concerns. They may even hold the #1 spot. Will I be able to pay my bills this month? What will happen if I get injured or sick and lose my job? When tax time rolls around, will I have enough money to pay my bill? And on and on it goes.

We may argue that that was then and this is now. We may say that it was easy for Jesus to say the things He did in today’s passage because He could cause tax money to appear in a fish’s mouth. We may think that something as everyday as paying taxes doesn’t really matter to God. But Jesus’ example—and God’s directives—are valid for all time.

Teaching Our Children To Put God First

There are understandable reasons why we would bend—or break—the rules, but we must consider what this will do to our testimony. We must consider what lessons we want to teach our children.

Do we want to teach them to put God first in every area of their life? Do we want to teach them that the only time to break the rules is when these rules cause us to disobey God’s commands, His plans for our life? Do we want to teach them the importance of loving God and loving others? Do we want to teach them to major on the majors? Do we want to teach them to follow the example of Jesus Christ?

Even if what I do looks good to others, I realize much of what I do isn’t motivated by love for God or for others. I have been challenged to be more mindful of my motives. How about you?

What are your priorities? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.