Jesus left no doubt about the top priority in life: God must come first. No relationship, career, or personal interest should ever take priority over our loyalty to Him. In fact, placing anything above God is a form of idolatry (Col. 3:5).
1. God Comes Before Family – Jesus warned that following Him may cause division, even in our own households: “For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household” (Matt. 10:35–36). He continued in the next verse: “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matt. 10:37). While we must love our families (Eph. 5:25; Titus 2:4), our loyalty to Christ must come first, even if it causes family conflict (Lk. 18:28–30).
2. God Comes Before Friends – There is nothing wrong with having friends, but the best friend one can have is Jesus, and a friendship with Jesus requires faithfulness: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:13-14). The Bible warns Christians not to be deceived by ungodly relationships that can lead us into sin (1 Cor. 15:33). God must come first, even if it means losing dear friends. True friends will respect your commitment to Christ, but some may walk away.
3. God Comes Before Careers – Many people make career success their highest goal, even at the expense of their faith. But Jesus warned: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Matt. 16:26). Choosing a job that keeps us away from worship, tempts us to compromise, or pulls us away from spiritual priorities is a dangerous path. We must be willing to sacrifice wealth or status rather than let our work come between us and God. Our loving Father will provide all we need if we put Him first (Deut. 8:18; Matt. 6:33; 7:7–11; Jam. 1:17), and true success is going to Heaven (Matt. 25:34).
4. God Comes Before Entertainment and Pleasure – Our world is filled with entertainment and distractions, but the Bible warns of those who are “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” (2 Tim. 3:4). Innocent fun and entertainment are not sinful. We all need time to wind down and relax, but we must not become slaves to entertainment. God’s people are to be “redeeming the time” (Eph. 5:16), using our time wisely, not wasting it all on things that distract us from our true purpose (Eccl. 12:13–14; 1 Cor. 10:31–33).
5. God Comes Before Self – Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Lk. 9:23). Putting God first means dying to self daily and living for Christ (Rom. 6:1–6; 12:1–2; Gal. 2:20). We must humble ourselves and let go of any desires or ambitions that conflict with His will, so we can live holy, God-centered lives.
Conclusion: Seek Ye First – “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). If we truly believe in God’s greatness and the eternal hope of Heaven, we must let that faith determine our daily priorities. God comes first, above everything and everyone.