WHY MUST WE PURSUE KINGDOM PRIORITIES?
1. Because God Deserves First Place
God is not supposed to be an addition to our lives; He is the foundation of our lives.
Proverbs 3:6 says: “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.”
Psalm 100:3 also says: “… the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us…” See also Acts 17:28: “for in Him we live, and move, and have our being…”
▪︎When God occupies His rightful place, other areas of life can be properly ordered.
2. Because Earthly Pursuits Cannot Provide Ultimate Fulfillment
In Mark 8:36, Jesus asked:
“For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”
▪︎ A person can achieve financial success and still lack peace.
▪︎ A person can become influential and still lack purpose.
▪︎ A person can possess material things and still experience emptiness.
This is because material achievement is not the same as divine fulfillment.
▪︎ Only God can give the kind of fulfillment that touches every dimension of life.
3. Because Kingdom Pursuit Gives Proper Direction To Other Pursuits
Matthew 6:33 does not mean that believers should neglect work, education, family, business or legitimate responsibilities. Rather, it means that God’s Kingdom must govern all these areas.
For example:
▪︎ We pursue business, but with integrity (Deuteronomy 25:15; Proverbs 10:22).
▪︎ We pursue career advancement, but without compromising our faith (Daniel 1:8; 2Chronicles 26:3,5).
▪︎ We build relationships, but according to biblical principles (2Corinthians 6:14; Psalm 1:1; Romans 12:18).
▪︎ We make money, but remain generous. God is not against you making money but He’s against money making you (See 1 Timothy 6:10).
He wants you to make money righteously and spread it generously (Check Proverbs 13:11; 2 Corinthians 9:8,10-11).
▪︎ We seek success, but remain humble (Check Deuteronomy 8:18; 1Corinthians 4:7).
▪︎ We develop our gifts, but use them for God’s glory (See 2Timothy 1:6; 1Timothy 4:14-15; 5:11; Matthew 5:16).
Reflection Question:
What are some practical ways a believer can demonstrate that God truly occupies first place in his or her life?
CONCLUSION
Kingdom priority does not eliminate other pursuits; it puts them in their proper order.
PRAYERS
1. Father, help me to put You first in every area of my life. Deliver me from anything that competes with Your rightful place in my heart, and let my priorities always reflect Your will, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, deliver me from the pursuit of things that cannot give lasting satisfaction. Help me to find my joy, purpose, peace and fulfillment in You in Jesus’ name.
3. O Lord, direct my steps and order my pursuits according to Your purpose. Give me wisdom to know what to pursue, what to postpone and what to let go of, so that my life will not be wasted on misplaced priorities. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
4. Father, help me to discover, develop and deploy my gifts, resources and opportunities for Your glory and for the advancement of Your Kingdom, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
5. Father, give me grace to trust You completely as I pursue Your Kingdom. Remove anxiety and fear concerning my needs. Let Your faithfulness be evident in every area of my life, and let me experience Your provision according to Your will in Jesus’ name, Amen.
6. In this assembly O Lord, we choose Your Kingdom above every competing priority. Help us to seek You first and walk in Your righteousness. Let all our plans and doings be aligned with Your purpose and let us experience all-round fulfillment according to Your will for Your Church in Jesus’ name, Amen.