How to put God first above anything else
Putting God first above anything else is a fundamental principle of Christianity.
It means prioritizing your relationship with God above all other aspects of your life. This includes work, relationships, and personal desires.
Having God as your priority also means loving Him with your whole being— heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37). Do not hold anything back and dedicate all that you have and all that you are to Him.
In turn, He will reward you and make you stand out from the rest of the people on Earth.
One of the most well-known verses regarding this is Matthew 6:33, which says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Here, Jesus urges his followers to seek God’s kingdom and righteousness above their desires and ambitions.
He promises that if they do so, God will provide for their needs and give them everything they need to thrive.
The verse emphasizes the idea that when you put God first in your life, everything else falls into place.
You do not need to worry about material possessions or worldly success because God will provide for you.
However, how can you put God first above anything else?
Having the answer to this is crucial, especially since you’re living in a world full of temptation.
So, this article explores practical ways to put God first in your life. This includes developing a daily spiritual practice of prioritizing service to others.
With this, whether you are just beginning your spiritual journey or seeking to deepen your relationship with God, these tips will help you to align your priorities.
Moreover, these will help you find greater meaning and purpose in your life.
God first before anything worldly
As a Christian, it is important to assess your priorities and determine what you value the most in life. This means taking a critical look at your daily routines, habits, and decisions.
Afterward, ask yourself whether they align with your faith and values.
However, one of the biggest challenges you’ll face as a Christian is navigating the distractions and temptations of the world. This is because the devil knows how to tempt you in a way that can lead you astray from your true priorities.
The Bible provides numerous examples of characters who struggled with misplaced priorities and worldly distractions.
For instance, King Solomon was tempted by the wealth and power of his kingdom. This led him to prioritize his desires above God’s commands.
In the end, his misplaced priorities led to his downfall. It was then he realized that all his accomplishments were meaningless without a relationship with God (Ecclesiastes 2:11).
Similarly, the story of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-26 illustrates how material possessions can distract you from following God’s will.
Despite his religious devotion, the young man was unable to give up his wealth and follow Jesus. This reveals that his priorities were misplaced.
Learning from his example, identify what draws your attention away from God. This can be social media, material possessions, or unhealthy relationships.
By being aware of these distractions, you can make conscious decisions to limit their influence. This way, you can prioritize God first above anything.
Practice discipline to put God first above anything
Putting God first in your life requires discipline and intentional effort. It involves making time for God amidst your busy schedule and prioritizing prayer and meditation.
You can set aside Sunday as a day to worship Him. You can also allot a specific time each day for prayer and meditation. This could be in the morning before starting your daily tasks or it can be in the evening before going to bed.
Additionally, reading the Bible also allows you to put God first. Doing so will consistently help you to grow in your understanding of God’s character and His will.
Psalm 1:1-3 states that those who meditate on God’s Word day and night are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield fruit in due season.
Doing so allows you to experience the fullness of His love and grace (James 4:8).
However, being consistent in prayer and reading the Bible can be challenging. In times like these, remember the story of Daniel.
Daniel was a man of discipline who made time for God every day, even when it was illegal to do so.
His consistent prayer life and devotion to God set him apart from others. Because of this, God rewarded him with wisdom and favor (Daniel 1:8-9; 6:10).
Surround yourself with like-minded people
Surround yourself with like-minded people. This way, you’ll be with people who have the same values as you. Hence, they can influence you to stay on the right track of putting God first above anything.
Try to join a faith community. Doing so is an important way to connect with other believers and build relationships that can help you grow in your faith.
Moreover, here you will find encouragement, support, and accountability. Hebrews 10:24-25 states,
“Consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Prioritize serving in honor of God above anything else
Another way to put God first is to prioritize serving others. When you use your gifts and talents to bless others, you honor God and show His love to the world.
Romans 12:6-8 states that each has gifts from God and are to use them to serve others.
Accordingly, serving others often requires sacrifice. For example, you can volunteer at a local food bank or homeless shelter.
By doing so, you sacrifice your time that you could have used for leisure. In this way, you can show God’s love to those who are in need and make a difference in their lives.
When you feel like something’s holding you back from making a sacrifice, take inspiration from Dorcas,
Dorcas is a charitable woman who lived in Joppa. When she died, the people in her community were deeply saddened and called for Peter to come and pray for her.
When Peter arrived, he found that Dorcas had made tunics and other clothing for the widows in the community.
Through her selfless service, Dorcas made a lasting impact on the lives of those around her (Acts 9:36-42).
Cultivate a grateful heart
Cultivate a grateful heart and recognize God’s blessings, even in difficult circumstances. Give thanks to Him and demonstrate your trust and faith in Him.
Psalm 100:4-5 encourages you to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise, reminding you that the Lord is good and His love endures forever.
By cultivating a grateful heart, you acknowledge that all good things come from God.
Moreover, you put thanks over His sovereignty above all other factors that paved the way for your achievements.
Place Him at number one
Putting God first above anything else requires intentional and disciplined efforts.
It involves assessing your priorities, practicing discipline, surrounding yourself with like-minded people, prioritizing serving, and cultivating a grateful heart. These are not easy tasks, but they are essential for living a meaningful and fulfilling life that honors God.
As you journey towards putting God first, look forward to the promises in His Word. Know that He is faithful and will guide you every step of the way.
Moreover, remind yourself that putting God first is not just a one-time decision. It is a choice that you must make every day of your life.
So, commit to this and be a testimony to His love and grace.
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