“Me first!”
Since I have four kids, I hear this declaration often. Each kid wants to be the first to participate or to get her share because they are each looking out for themselves.
The only time “me first” is not selfish is when God says it. First place is God’s proper place.
I recently wrote about giving God first place by applying the Feast of Firstfruits to finding time for Bible reading and prayer as a busy mom. Check out Scattered Woman Pursuing Purpose to find out how Leviticus 23 freed me from the guilt of not reading my Bible first thing in the morning.
While I was studying Leviticus 23 and the Feast of Firstfruits, I was reminded of other places in Scripture where God says “Me first!”
Here is what is looks like when God is first:
God comes first in my affections.
In our culture, we hear a lot about putting family first. That’s okay if you are putting family first before work or before yourself. However, your affection and love for your family should look like hate in comparison to how much you love God. Jesus says in Luke 14:26, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.” This can be a tough part of Scripture, especially for those from a tight-knit family, but our relationship with Jesus Christ is eternal and our earthly family bonds are not.
God’s kingdom is the first priority.
Jesus tells His followers not to worry about what they will eat or wear or where they will live. Instead they are to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). This verse hits close to home lately since I recently let go of some paid work opportunities in part because it was interfering with my ability to seek God’s kingdom first especially when it came to serving well at church. This was a tough decision since we are working hard this year to save up enough money to be able to buy a home. But we decided to seek first His kingdom and watch how God will provide “all these things as well.”
God comes first before other gods.
When God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, the first one was: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:2). At first glance, this verse sounds like we can have other gods, but they just can’t be first. However, when God is first in our lives, we realize that we don’t need any other gods.
God wants us to trust Him first, not in things.
I used to be very nervous when I was driving to new places since I get lost easily. Once I got a cellphone, I trusted in it to get me safely to my destination. One day I realized this was misplaced trust. It’s really God who cares for me and keeps me safe not my inanimate cell phone. Now I have returned to praying to the Lord before every car trip and thanking Him for His guidance and protection.
God wants us to trust Him first, not in other people.
Oswald Chambers said, “If I put my trust in human beings first, the end result will be my despair and hopelessness toward everyone. I will become bitter because I have insisted that people be what no person can ever be— absolutely perfect and right. Never trust anything in yourself or in anyone else, except the grace of God.”
In what way is God first in your life? Can you think of other Bible references where God says “me first”? Comment below!
Thanks, Rachel, for this post! We were just having this parenting discussion in Sunday School yesterday morning, and concluded that we have to set the example as mums!
Oh, boy. That is not easy. I forget sometimes that my children are watching. Thanks for reading, Michele!
I’ve got a post today at my place on putting God as our first priority in marriage, Rachel. It seems we are on teh same wavelength. It’s just so very important to put Him first in everything! Thanks and I’ll be sharing!
I think we are on the same wavelength today, Rachel. I’m talking about making God our priority in marriage today at my place. This is so crucial in all areas of our lives! Thanks and I’ll be sharing!
Wow! That’s so cool! I’ll go check it out. Thanks for reading and sharing.
Great list, Rachel! Surrendering everything else to give Him first place is my daily hearts desire. Blessings and hugs!
Thank you! I love how you give Him first place with such joy, Deb!
I hope you are still using your cellphone for directions after you pray for the Lord’s guidance. “The Lord uses means.” (quote is from Hudson Taylor’s autobiography)
I absolutely still use my cellphone for directions. And I do still get lost at times when I’m using it, but at least Siri can tell me how to correct the mistake. Yesterday I got lost going 1.5 miles from the dentist to a new playground. At least the cellphone alerted me to it and we could turn around. Otherwise who knows how long I would have been going the wrong way!
Good afternoon Rachel. God is first in my life, beginning with the moment I wake in the morning. He is the first Person I speak to in thanksgiving and prayer for the day before me, and the One I speak to all throughout the day. No matter what my agenda for the day includes, even the most minuscule tasks, God is the One I ask for guidance, wisdom, help, and protection. It took me many years to learn that if I seek Him first in all things, that all things do work together for good in my life because His hand is guiding me. I used to struggle with trying to be everything my family members needed and labored to bring them happiness and unity, but now, I continually lift them up to the Father in prayer and rest in Him knowing that He is taking care of them. I’ve found that when I do this, I don’t get stuck in worry or feel overburdened, and I’m able to confidently speak the Word to my family and lead them to God. Other Bible references where God says “me first” that I hold onto include John 15:5 (ESV) “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” and 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV) “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Thank you, Shelley, for your testimony of how you seek God first. Leaving your family in God’s hands reminds me of “come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest!” God is so good!
Love this, Rachel. Relate to all the points but especially trusting in God before things and people. This…”The only time “me first” is not selfish is when God says it. First place is God’s proper place.” Amen!
Thank you, Karen! Thanks for reading and commenting.