Getting one’s priorities straight

The Lord Jesus Christ, the greatest messenger, advises that one must prioritize the pursuit of God’s kingdom and His righteousness above all else.

By RONNIE H. MUTYA

WITH SO MANY THINGS people aspire for, knowing how to set priorities properly helps them give full attention and stay focused on what matters most to them. While many prioritize gaining worldly knowledge and material wealth, others prioritize their family and loved ones. There are also those who consider maintaining good health and having proper lifestyle as their top priorities.

However, how can one be certain that he gives his full attention and best efforts to what is truly worth it? What does the Bible teach about what man needs to give utmost importance to and set as his number one priority?

‘Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness’

To know what must be the first on the list of priorities, Jesus Christ, the greatest messenger, advises:

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt. 6:33 New International Version)

The Lord Jesus Christ emphasizes what one needs to be sought in one’s life—God’s kingdom and His righteousness. The kingdom, according to Christ also, is that one the Father or God has given to the flock:

“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32 New King James Version)

And the flock is that which was redeemed by Christ with His blood:

“Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.” (Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation)

Hence, to fulfill what Christ teaches to seek first God’s kingdom, one should make it his top priority to find the true Church Of Christ, where there is redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Col. 1:13-14).

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Matthew 6:33

New International Version

As to what God’s righteousness is, which Christ also instructs people to seek foremost, Apostle Paul taught in Romans 1:16‒17, thus:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’” (nkjv)

Therefore, more than anything else in this world, people should prioritize seeking the true Church Of Christ and the true gospel or God’s words which is “the power of God to salvation.” And by doing so, God also promises to provide them with everything good they need in this life (Matt. 6:33).

Beware of prioritizing other things

As the condition of the world is not getting any better, people strive day by day for survival. Believing that life consists in material possessions, many have made it their top priority in life to seek wealth and, having found it, make it grow. However, the Bible declares the following about life:

“… One’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15 nkjv)

Many people measure their success in life in terms of possessing various properties such as houses, cars, businesses, among others. But Christ has a warning for them:

“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.” (Luke 21:34‒35 nkjv)

“Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.”

Acts 20:28

Lamsa Translation

No one knows when will He return, even Christ Himself. This is why He admonishes people not to spend all their time and to worry about the things of this world because He wants them to be fully prepared and be saved when the Day of Judgment comes. Furthermore, Christ also teaches the danger of prioritizing worldly things. Thus, through a rhetorical question, He asks:

“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?” (Matt. 16:26 New Living Translation)

It is very clear, then, that whatever possession a person has in this world, ultimately, it will never benefit him when he dies. Yes, material wealth is important, which is why people work hard to earn it. And that is not wrong, as long as it is not against God’s will. But one must understand that it shouldn’t be prioritized over God’s kingdom and His righteousness.

A priceless possession

What reward awaits those who have chosen to focus on the things that will lead them to salvation even if this entails hardships and sacrifices? Jesus Christ teaches in Matthew 10:22:

“And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.” (nlt)

Hence, those who prioritize to become Church Of Christ members and strive to fully obey the commandments of God until the end have the hope of receiving salvation. Moreover, as what Apostle Paul ensured, it is only the Church that Christ will save:

“For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.” (Eph. 5:23 nkjv)

This is the reason members of the Church Of Christ are not on the losing end even though they prioritize their services to God over gaining worldly possessions. It is their firm conviction that what they possess by virtue of their membership in the Church Of Christ is priceless because not only they will receive God’s blessings in this life, but most importantly, His promised eternal life in the Holy City (Eph. 3:6; II Pet. 3:13).