Priorities

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. - Colossians 3:2

The Bible clearly teaches that God and His kingdom must have top priority in our lives. Listen to these words from the book of Haggai:

Then the Word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?" Now this is what the Lord almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it." (1:3-6)

The people of Haggai's day were so wrapped up in their own concerns that they had completely neglected God, His worship, and His house. Self had marched to the front and commanded their complete attention.

When we neglect God, the very things we seek begin to elude us. Why? Because the things of this world cannot satisfy the hunger of our souls. Both Old and New Testaments testify to this truth. To neglect God and turn our minds and hearts inward and not upward is self-defeating. So Haggai challenged the people to give careful thought to the set of their hearts and the direction of their lives.

Christian, where are your priorities today? Only God can give meaning and ultimate satisfaction in life. And it comes as a by-product as we obey the words of Jesus: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you"(KJV).