Giving God 1st Place

Matthew 6: 25-34

In the past few weeks we have examined together the Biblical reasons for worship and the meaning of stewardship. With these studies, we have looked at what it means to be Christian. Continuing with this theme, I would like to look this morning at a problem which is commonplace today … What comes first in our lives? As I look around the world, watching the news, reading magazines, and walking around in the ‘real world,’ I notice that many people are seeking first the kingdom of pleasure and possessions. But for each of us who claim to be Christian, we must always remember that Jesus promised each of us that “all these things shall be added unto you,” if we just give Him 1st place in our lives.

Giving God 1st place … this is sometimes easier to say than actually accomplish. However, the Bible has shown us three strong ways in which we can give God our full attention … giving Him 1st place in our lives.

The first of these is to Show God He is first in our lives by giving Him our time. In James 4:14a it states: “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.” In our world, we often worry about the Jones’ next door. We want this or that to keep up with everyone else. To accomplish this, we work long hard hours. We neglect our family and friends to ensure that we can make the monthly payment on the computer, the big TV, the new car. Yet with each day we let pass by, we have to realize that we do not know what tomorrow will bring. Instead of using our time for selfish things, would not God be better pleased if we spent time with our families, spent time with one another, and worship Him? Christians today seem to have forgotten that our lives are not our own. Our lives where bought with a great price, the blood of Jesus Christ. (Pause)

Yes, life is short. James 14 continues with “You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” We are each on this earth for a short time. It is what we do while we are here that is important. In the end, the only thing that lasts is what we do for the Lord.

We should give our time in service. We do this by raising God-fearing families, by praying for others, by visiting the ill, comforting the lonely, by lending a helping hand to those who need one, and by sharing Christ to those who have not heard or accepted the salvation which can only come thru Christ. (Pause)

When we give our time, we must remember that it is not ‘our time.’ We must give selflessly, knowing that our time is God’s time. We must give God control of our time. We can do this with personal reflection and daily prayer, by studying God’s word each day, by attending church and sharing fellowship time with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and by working for the expansion of God’s kingdom.

A second way to make God 1st in our lives is with our talents. John 6:27a tells us how. We are told: “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life.” (Pause) Once again, you can look around and see that often we do not fully give God His place in our lives with our talents. Many Christians today are too busy making a name for themselves. Many list making money as their first priority. How many people have chosen not to help with a program, at church, at VBS, etc., simply because it is not economically in your plan? How many have ever worried about going to the hospital due to a lack of insurance, knowing that you would not get the same help as someone who did … simply because you could not pay. Yes, the world can work this way, but as a Christian, we are not to live with that belief. Money should never be primary in our lives. God tells us to trust Him. If we trust God, should we not be willing to sacrifice at least a little of our talents. Give a little of our know how and abilities with no concern over the cost.

I realize that not everyone is like this. However, those who aren’t also fall into a common trap. These are the Christians who do not use their talents because they feel they are not good enough. We feel this way, even though God gave us every talent we have. To be blunt, we are told never to lock up our talents and bury them in the sand. We must use them, or else we may lose them. (Pause) When we use them, God will increase our gifts. Even though our gifts increase, the important fact to remember is that our growth in this way is not the important factor. The important factor is that we are sharing God with someone who does not know Him. Remember, our talents should be used to glorify God and be a blessing to others. If our actions are blessings to others and glorifies God, then we have placed God first in our hearts.

Finally, we can place God 1st with our treasures. When anyone tries to tell you otherwise, just remember the words Christ spoke. These words remind us that as an individual, as a family, as a church; money is not the important factor. We must give freely. Christ gave this advice when asked about giving to the church. He said in Luke 12:15, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” I know that there are some who have nothing to give. Those should never feel bad when they can’t give. But for the other 99% of us, we must give. (Pause)

Sadly, in today’s society, the Love of possessions has captured the hearts of millions. People are selling their souls to get material wealth. Although the world is a dog eat dog one, in which the strong survives, as Christians we must give God first place with our own treasuries. Our money, which God gave us to use in trust, should never be buried in a hole (or by today’s terms … a bank). We must give and give freely. I will not coat this requirement, a great place to start is in our tithing. We must give our tithe to the church. Likewise, we must also give our tithe to help those less fortunate. When it comes between two options, giving my monthly tithe to the church or giving the same tithe to expand God’s kingdom (say you gave money to someone who had small kids and could not pay the rent … you paid so they had a house to live in), where do you think the money would be better spent. Each show service to God, but the later shows God just how much you care. You care enough to risk your own ‘building’ to ensure that God’s grace is poured out to someone else. (Pause)

Putting God first … When we want to put God first there is really only one thing we must do. This can be found in Matthew 6: 19-21. To paraphrase, Let us lay up treasure in heaven, not on earth. Instead of having a ton a free time on earth, why not spread God’s word and save some of the free time for heaven. When we can use our talents, what are we waiting for. God will make sure we have what we need when we get inside the pearly gates. And as for money, we can’t take it with us. Use it now for God, and one day, so much more will be given unto you. (Pause)

I leave you this week with this thought to ponder: What time can I use to witness to others? What is God wanting me to do with the gifts I have? How can I share my worldly wealth to share the Gospel with someone else? If you ask yourselves these questions, and act on the answers, then believe me … God will be 1st in your life.