First Things First

Men, because of sin, have their priorities all upside down. In their self formulated "heirarchy of needs," godliness and fellowship with God are not made the end of all things. Serving his lusts and carnal appetites, his "belly," his physical needs, is fallen man's most important need in his "heirarchy of needs." He does not know the truth of Jesus' words - "Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." (Matthew 4: 4)

Satan knows that sinful man, being faithless and infidel, puts more effort and faith in pursuit of natural bread than in pursuit of God the giver of bread.

"Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face." (Job 1: 9-11)

Take away Job's bread! Take away his food and shelter! Let his base physical needs be unmet and then see if he still serves you! This was the plea and accusation of Satan against Job. What he said about Job, though false in his case, is nevertheless, true in the case of all unsaved men. When sinful man lacks bread, he "curses" God on account of it.

Notice the following passages that set priorities in the right order in our dealings with God and with each other. It is important that we understand that our "value system" and "world view" are devilish and that which will ultimately destroy us if the Lord does not show mercy and teach us otherwise.

"Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." (Matthew 5: 24)

When people have their "falling outs," when they are separated by feuds and disagreements, they rarely are as willing to "reconcile" and "restore peace" as they ought to be. Especially in cases where we are the guilty party, where we are the ones who have offended and broken the peace, we should make it top priority to find forgiveness with the one we have offended and hurt. We should "leave off" religious worship and service, leave our gifts at the altar, till we have "made peace" with our brother. "First be reconciled to your brother, then come..."

Husbands and wives who have separated, for no scriptural reason, ought to heed this command of God and be reconciled to each other.

"But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife." (I Corinthians 7: 11)

Being reconciled to our spouses, friends, neighbors, and brothers, is a way in which we fulfil the command to be "reconciled to God."

"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." (II Corinthians 5: 20)

A man who has been "reconciled to God," who has "made peace" with God, will certainly be a man who desires peace with his neighbors. If he has offended his brother, he will desire peace with him, knowing that he cannot enjoy peace with God without showing peace to others.

"Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." (Matthew 7: 5)

Here is another good example of where men do not "put first things first." Men are so quick to criticize and to condemn. They are quick to point the accusing finger. Often it is grossly hypocritical for the one condemning is often "guilty of the same thing."

"And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?" (Romans 2: 3)

To those who judge hypocritically and unworthily, Jesus still says - "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." (John 8: 7)

So, the clear message is this - first look at your own self critically before you look critically at others. We ought to remember these words of the Apostle. "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged." (I Cortinthians 11: 31)

Again, sinful man shows that his priorities are all "out of kilter" by the things he seeks first, above all other things.

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6: 33)

But, men do not seek God and his rule first and foremost. They rather seek first their own things. God is not first in the heart and life. When called upon to put God first in their lives, they will "make excuse" and put other things ahead of service to God.

"And they all with one consent began to make excuse." (Luke 14: 18)

"And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father." (Matthew 8: 21)

"And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house." (Luke 9: 61)

These sinners did not "put first things first." They had their priorities all in reverse. Instead of God being first, and neighbors second, a selfish sinner puts himself first, others second, and God last.

Even in theology and soteriology, sinful man is intent on putting himself first. He believes that he must love God first, and then God will love him in return. Yet, John said - "We love him, because he first loved us." (I John 4: 19)

Friend, where are your priorities?