Begin with God
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
One of the most important decisions you can make as a believer is to give God the place He deserves in your life. There are many things that compete for our attention every day. We have responsibilities to meet, opportunities to pursue, problems to solve, and expectations to fulfil. Sometimes, the pressure of these things becomes so great that our relationship with God gradually receives whatever time and attention we have left. Jesus teaches us a different order of priorities. He instructs us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
If we examine the context of Matthew 6, we discover that Jesus was addressing the anxieties people experience concerning their daily needs. He spoke about food, clothing, and the concerns of tomorrow. His instruction to seek God's kingdom first was given to people who had genuine responsibilities and legitimate needs. Jesus was teaching them that their pursuit of these things should never cause them to lose sight of their relationship with their heavenly Father. God knows what we need, and we can trust Him while faithfully carrying out our responsibilities.
As you begin this new month, examine the place God occupies in your decisions and daily routines. Are you making room to study His Word? Are you developing your prayer life? Do His instructions influence the choices you make? Seeking God first requires deliberate attention. Learn to plan your life in a way that allows your relationship with Him to remain central, even as you pursue excellence in your career, education, business, family, and other responsibilities.
Prayer
Father, help me to give You the place You deserve in my life. Teach me to order my priorities according to Your Word and to remain established in Your will, in Jesus' name. Amen.
Confession
God occupies the first place in my life. My priorities are governed by His Word, and I receive wisdom to fulfil my responsibilities without neglecting my relationship with Him.
Further reading: Matthew 6:25–34, Psalm 27:4, Colossians 3:1–4.