What Are Our Priorities?

What Are Our Priorities?Text: Ecclesiastes 12:13

Our lives are shaped by our priorities. Time, energy, and resources are limited; therefore, we spend them on what is important to us. What should be most important to us? The Bible shows us what our highest priorities should be. We need to see what the Bible says and examine our lives to see if our priorities are what they ought to be.

Fear God and Keep His Commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

  • This is the whole duty of man” (KJV) – this is all-encompassing; every part of our lives must be devoted to the Lord and doing what He has instructed us to do
  • Peter stated this principle to the household of Cornelius (Acts 10:34-35) – to be welcomed by God, we must fear and obey Him

Seek First His Kingdom and His Righteousness (Matthew 6:33)

  • Elsewhere, Jesus used a parable to describe the kingdom as a “pearl of great value” (Matthew 13:45-46) – the merchant obtained it by selling “all that he had“; the church (Matthew 16:18-19) must be a priority
  • Jesus also spoke of hungering and thirsting after righteousness (Matthew 5:6) – includes things like assembling (Hebrews 10:24-25), praying (1 Thessalonians 5:17), studying (2 Timothy 2:15), etc.; these activities are tied to how we “seek first

Provide for One’s Own (1 Timothy 5:8)

  • Some might wonder why something “non-spiritual” would be included – Paul connected this with our faith; this is not about those who cannot work (2 Thessalonians 3:10), but those who can are morally obligated to do this
  • Of course, this must be done in the context of the first two points (Ecclesiastes 12:13; Matthew 6:33) – cannot work to the neglect of our spiritual well-being/responsibilities (Luke 12:16-21)

Do Good to All People (Galatians 6:10)

  • James talked about doing good to others and connected it with our faith (James 2:15-17) – yet many non-religious people do this; so this must be done within the context of serving God, not as a substitute for it
  • We are to do this “while we have opportunity” – implies that we cannot neglect the other priorities; these opportunities will present themselves

Conclusion

  • There are many things competing for our attention
  • We need to understand what is truly important
  • We must shape our lives around fulfilling the purpose God has given us and carrying out His will