Mathew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and his
righteousness, and all these things will be added to you

Key Texts

Exodus13.2, 12-15; Proverbs 3:9-10; Matthew 6:33

Recurrent Thought

When God is given first place in our lives, He blesses and orders everything else that follows; or where you place God in your priorities will determine how resources flow in your life.

• Putting God First, is the foundation to a scriptural Principle of First Things. The Scripture reveals that when God is put first in our lives, everything else comes into proper order. The Principle of First Things is a Principle of the Order of Priorities. What is definition of Priorities? To Prioritize is to treat something as being most important and/or categorize it relative to its importance. What comes first has the capacity to dictate the order of the rest of activities or issues that come thereafter. CS Lewis a Christian Philosopher, stated a contrary principle. He concluded that Placing Second Things First usually leads to losing both the first and second things, while prioritizing First Things First results in first things being secured and second things being added (CS Lewis)
• For Christ devoted followers, this is a guiding principle for life that emphasizes putting God and His kingdom above all else, leading to a blessed and ordered life even in the midst of trials. 

Five Elements in understanding the Principle of First Things

1. Meaning of the Principle of First Things
   • The Word First is transliterated as “ray-sheeth” (Heb) meaning the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically a firstfruit): - beginning, chief (-est), first (-fruits, part, time), principal thing.
   • This word has an honor of being the first word written in the entire Bible (Gen 1:1).
   • This word on other occasions, may signify the highest of anything, i.e., the best or most excellent, such as the choicest parts of offerings (1Sa 2:29); the best of the spoil (1Sa 15:21)
   • The word “First” in this Principle means priority, preeminence, and honor.
   • In a nutshell the Principle states that those who believe in Yahweh must recognize and hold Him as first in their lives
   • God is not satisfied with leftovers. He demands the first place. When God is first, everything else aligns.
   • He should be honored first above anything worthy to be honored
2. First Things as Shown in the Scriptures
   • The life, culture and society of ancient Israel, a nation Yahweh chose for his revelation, was deeply impacted by the Principle of First Things
   • First Commandment (Exodus 20:3) – “You shall have no other gods before me.”
   • Firstborn (Exodus 13:2, 12-15) – Belonged to the Lord as holy and set apart.
   • First Fruits Offering (Proverbs 3:9-10) – Giving God the first portion of Your harvest
   • First 10% of Your Income or anything (Gen. 14: 20; 28: 22; Lev. 27:30; Luke 11:42 ) Ensure the Tithe is the First Portion, given to the Lord
   • First City in Canaan (Joshua 6: 17-19) “the city and all that is within it shall be devoted to the LORD for destruction.
   • First Day of the Week (Acts 20:7) – Early church met and gave on the first day.
   • First Love (Revelation 2:4) – Christ rebuked the Ephesian church for losing it.
3. Why First Things Matter to God
   • The principle of first things is about priority, honor, and trust. It reveals who or what we honor most.
   • The Principle of First Things challenges us to acknowledge God as source and owner, the Beginning of everything we access
   • This Principle aligns our lives under God’s order, inviting His blessing. If God is first, He secures the rest. If God is last, nothing else aligns.
     • Like a train engine pulling coaches—if the “first” is in place, everything else follows in order.
   • The Principle of First Things reveals the exalted place of Christ (Col. 1:15-21)
     • Jesus who came to die for us also principally came to reveal God to humanity
     • Col. 1:15-21 reveals this preeminent place of the Glorious Christ (Read)
4. Some Consequences of Ignoring the Practice of First Things
   • Ignoring the Principle of the First leads to Your Offerings and Effort being ignored and rejected by God
     • Cain vs. Abel (Genesis 4:3-5) – Cain gave “some” of his harvest, Abel gave the first and best. God accepted Abel’s, rejected Cain’s. In Sunday school my teacher inferred to the end that Abel’s Sacrifice was accepted because it was blood sacrifice. However, in Mosaic Covenant God accepts even flour, and waving of crops before him. Notice that Abel took the First born of His Animals
   • Neglecting the Priority of First Things may cause frustration, financial holes, and spiritual dryness.
     • Haggai 1:6 – People neglected God’s house and lived in lack, though they worked hard.
   • Neglecting to Honor God with the First Things, it leaves us defenseless. Instead him fighting your battles, He leaves to your own efforts.
     • The case of Achan and his Household: (Joshua 7) The City of Jericho was God’s offering, anyone who touched what belonged to God came under a curse. The Gold, Silver Bronze were to be put in God’s treasury. Everything else was to be burnt. 
5. The Blessing of Honoring the Principle of First Things
   • Putting God First in our lives, guarantees us to receive our essential physical needs
     • Matthew 6:33 – “Seek first the Kingdom… and all these things will be added.”
     • We are assured of Constant provision to our Physical Needs
     • 1 Kings 17:12-16 – Widow gave Elijah first, and her oil and flour never ran out.
   • Practicing the Principle of First Things, we start experiencing increase to our Efforts
     • Proverbs 3:9-10 – Honor God with first fruits, and barns overflow.
   • God’s principle of first things leads to redemption and multiplication.
     • Jesus Himself is called the Firstborn among many brethren (Romans 8:29) – proving

Altar

• Lord allow me not just to understand the Principle but accept it to too.
• Give me passion and capacity to obey the Principle of First Things