First Things First

One of the most common things I hear from people today is that life feels overwhelming. Schedules are full. Responsibilities stack up. Expectations come from every direction. And often, it doesn’t feel chaotic because we don’t care—it feels chaotic because everything wants to be first.

That’s why Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 are so striking. He doesn’t tell us to work harder, manage better, or stress less. He simply says, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else.” In other words, order matters. What comes first shapes everything else.

What’s fascinating is that Jesus wasn’t introducing a new idea. Scripture has always shown us that God is worthy of our first and best. From the very beginning, we see the difference between Cain’s offering of “some” and Abel’s offering of his best. Abraham, long before the Law existed, instinctively honored God after a great victory—not because he was commanded to, but because worship naturally flowed from gratitude and trust.

Later, God codified this principle for Israel through the idea of firstfruits. Giving wasn’t just about obedience; it was about remembrance—recalling who God was and what He had done. Even the prophets remind us that God isn’t impressed with religious activity that lacks honor. He’s after hearts that recognize His worth.

Jesus brings all of this together and applies it to everyday life. Our worries, anxieties, and fears often reveal what we’ve allowed to take first place. But when God is first, everything else begins to fall into its proper place. Peace follows order. Trust replaces fear.

This doesn’t mean perfection. It means priority. Seeking God first isn’t a single habit or spiritual trick—it’s a whole-life posture. Our time, our finances, our energy, our homes, and our decisions all begin to reflect what we value most.

So here’s the question worth asking: are we giving God our best—or what’s left? Because faith that is given last rarely bears lasting fruit. But when we seek God first, we discover that He is faithful to take care of the rest.