Joy. Who couldn’t use more joy? Someone once said joy comes from having our priorities in the right order—God, others, and then you. Putting God first brings joy to our hearts. But how do we always put God first when sick children demand our attention or work deadlines hang over our heads?
Many pastors and Bible teachers suggest getting our priorities right by putting God first on our list of responsibilities and interests. They list spouse, children, work, and ministry underneath Him. While a list helps us visualize how our priorities rank, another illustration works better for me.
Instead of looking at God as the first on a long list of commitments, I like to picture my life as a pie cut into slices with God as the hub. Making Him the center means His influence permeates every slice of my life. As circ*mstances change, God will lead me to invest more time and energy into different pie slices. Sick children require more attention. Some projects will cut into time that would normally be allocated to other areas. God directs and empowers all my time according to the need at hand.
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What Does It Mean to “Put God First”?
To put God first means to love Him more than anyone or anything else. It means I choose my attitude, values, responses, and how I use my time with Him in mind. When someone asks me to do something, I run it by Him first. Is this something You want me to do?
Putting God first means being filled with the Holy Spirit and inviting Him to guide and empower me (Ephesians 5:18). This means other people and fickle emotions must submit to the Lord’s will for my life. When I want to react to a cutting remark, I submit my tongue to Him and refuse to give in to the flesh.
Paul said, “For me, to live is Christ.” In other words, every aspect of his life was under the influence of Christ Jesus.
Is It Biblical to Put God First in Our Lives Always?
Yes. In fact, when a young man asked Jesus which commandment was the greatest, “Jesus answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind’” (Matt. 22:37). Jesus not only taught this; He demonstrated it. All Jesus said and did was under His Father’s guidance (John 5:19, 30; 8:28; 14:10).
Bible Verses about God's Priority in Our Lives
“You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3).
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
“I don’t try to do what I want but what the one who sent me wants” (John 5:30 GW).
“I speak as the Father taught me” (John 8:28 GW).
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10 Ways to Put God First
1. Seek God’s kingdom over your own interests.
“But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you” (Matt. 6:33 GW). Jesus understood that we are drawn to worry like buzzards are drawn to roadkill. We worry about our health, what we’ll eat, where we’ll sleep, and even about what we’ll wear. He told His disciples not to worry over those things. Instead, put God’s concerns first, and He will take care of us.
2. Live to please Jesus.
Matthew 6:24 says “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.”
Your kids want you to spend your family vacation at Disneyland. Your in-laws want you to visit them. Your boss dangles a juicy incentive for you to stay home and take on an extra project. What do you do?
When we try to please our in-laws, our kids, and our boss, no one wins. But when we put Christ first, He guides our interactions. If we’ve pleased our Lord, it’s okay to disappoint someone else. Living to please Jesus simplifies life. We only need to please One.
3. Listen to the Word instead of the world.
“Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants—what is good, pleasing, and perfect” (Romans 12:2 GW).
We won’t be able to discern God’s perfect will if we allow the world to shape our thinking. Depending on what aspect of the world we’re listening to, we receive conflicting advice. God’s word shapes our values and mind so that we can discern His voice and follow His lead (John 10:27). We can’t put God first if we are ignorant of His will and His ways.
4. Start your day with God.
Begin your mornings with prayer and Bible reading to set the tone for the day. Starting each day talking to God will align your thoughts with His.
Psalm 5:3 (NIV) - "In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly."
5. Prioritize Worship
Actively engage in worshipping God - both in community at church and in your own home. Put on your favorite old hymn of listen to encouraging Christian music on the radio and keep in on throughout the day to keep our heart in a place of worship.
"Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs." - Psalm 100:2
6. Pray Continuously
Maintain an ongoing conversation with God throughout your day, seeking His guidance and strength. From the first moment your eyes open till you lay down your head at night, you can seek God's presence and ask for his comfort. "Pray continually." - 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
7. Serve Others
Show God's love by serving and helping those in need, following Jesus' example. Look for small and big ways throughout the day to make a difference in someone else's life. There are countless ways we can bring hope to our world by small acts of kindness.
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Mark 10:45
8. Give Generously
We all know how precious our time, money, and energy is. When we help financially to those in need and serve others with out time and energy, we are being God's hands and feed. Whether it's volunteering to coach a kids sports team, donating at a food drive, or tithing at a local church, sharing what we have with others is one of the best ways to put God first with what he has given us.
9. Listen to Christian Content
Christian podcasts and sermons can help you put God first by providing valuable spiritual content, teachings, and discussions that inspire and guide you in your faith journey. Listening to these podcasts can deepen your understanding of Scripture, offer insights into practical ways to live out your faith, and keep you connected to a community of believers, all of which can encourage you to prioritize God in your daily life.
10. Practice Gratitude
When you cultivate an attitude of gratitude, you become more aware of the many ways God is actively involved in your life. It shifts your perspective from self-centeredness to God-centeredness, helping you appreciate His role as the source of all your blessings. Keep a list of the things you're grateful for and see how it shifts your focus onto God's love and care.
"Give thanks in all circ*mstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18
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A Biblical Example of Failing to Prioritize Jesus in Your Life
Sometimes we substitute activity for closeness with God. But the Lord seeks a relationship with us. “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6).
“Good” activities, including ministry work and Bible study, can become substitutes for listening to our Father and loving Him with all our hearts. How many times have I begun my day or a project committing myself and my work to the Lord only to let interruptions throw me off kilter? Irritation rises when my goals or timing are blocked. This also happened to Martha.
“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’” (Luke 10:38-40).
Martha loved Jesus. But she moved from serving Jesus to bossing Him around when her sister didn’t meet her expectations. When my idea of how my service to the Lord should play out becomes more important than loving God and the people in my life, I slip into serving myself instead of loving Him.
But Martha got one thing right. She took her frustration to the Lord, and He helped her get back on track. We can learn from their exchange.
“‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her’” (Luke 10:41-42).
Martha learned from this. The next time we see Martha, I hear her humming in the kitchen. Her sister Mary is still at Jesus’ feet (John 12:1-3). But this time Martha is happy in her role of serving and letting Mary be Mary. She has put first things first.
Keeping Him first requires intentionality. We must continually practice His presence during our busyness. Keeping the goal of loving Jesus in all we do and how we live guards our hearts and attitudes throughout the day.
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The Danger in Putting Other Things Before God
When we put other things first in our lives before God, any and all of the following can happen:
- Whatever we put before God competes with our affection for Him (Matt. 6:24). Before long we are no longer thinking of honoring and pleasing Him. We were created for God, and when we put anything before Him, we lose our sense of purpose. And our joy vanishes.
- We miss His provision (Matt. 6:33). When we focus on other things, we can’t see how God is meeting our needs because our myopic mindset can only see what we’re focused on.
- We miss His supernatural guidance when we aren’t trusting Him with all our heart. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
-We’re disconnected from the source of joy and satisfaction. “Be happy with the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4 GW).
- Our lives aren’t fruitful (John 15:5).
Enjoy Christ!
Your desire to make the Lord first in your life shows how much the Lord loves you. Jesus said no one seeks Him unless the Father draws him. The Father is drawing you. Yet, we are weak. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help us in our weaknesses. Ask Him to help you love God more. Learn to recognize and obey His promptings. Then enjoy Him!
When Christ rules my heart, all the pieces of my life flow in harmony with His plan. When love for Christ guides me, my life glorifies Jesus and I am satisfied and filled with joy.
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Debbie W. Wilson is an award-winning author, Bible teacher, and former Christian counselor who speaks and writes to connect fellow sojourners to the heart of Christ. Her books include Give Yourself a Break, Little Women, Big God, and Little Faith, Big God.
She and her husband lead Lighthouse Ministries, a non-profit Christian counseling and Bible teaching ministry. Despite time in Boston, the Midwest, and Southern California, Debbie still says y’all. Her family, which includes two mischievous standard poodles, calls North Carolina home. Connect with Debbie, find free resources, and learn about her books at debbieWwilson.com.
