[Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: The rule of first

By Oke Chinye

Read: Mathew 6:25-34

Meditation verse:

“But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Mathew 6:33).

Whatever it is that we consider most important in life is what will always come first. And whatever comes first, we would always prioritize and make time for. This is the rule of first. This rule also states that we commit our resources: be it time, attention, money, energy, commitment or focus to what comes first in our lives. Whatever comes first to us, we preserve, nurture and service.

It therefore follows that whatever you put first in your life will be the master of your life. “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one, and love the other or else, he will hold on to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money” (Mathew 6:24, NLT). The amplified version stretches it further by saying “you cannot serve God and mammon (money, possessions, famer, status or whatever is valued more than the Lord)”.

God is not against your prosperity. Psalm 35:27 says He delights in the prosperity of His saints. In John 10:10, He says he came that we may have life and have it in abundance. 3 John 2 states “Beloved, I pray that you may [prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers”. However, God understands the rule of first and so He wants you to put Him first before any other thing. Mathew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”.

Here’s the difference. When you put these other things first, you miss out on God’s best for you, but when you put God first, you get His best and in addition, He adds the best of these other things to you. Given both options, which would you choose? Choose wisely.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

For Prayers and Counseling email [email protected]

or call +2348155525555

For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.