Priorities

As a believer, God should be your priority.

Memory Verse: "Why do you...honor your sons more than me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel my people...now the Lord says:  'Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.'" (1 Sam.2:29-30, NKJV)

Scripture Reading: 1 Sam.2:27-35.

Eli had a conflict. As the very priest of God, he was the spiritual leader of His people, and God's personal representative. But he also was a father [to Hophni and Phinehas]. The question was, what had the highest priority? Which was more important to him? God, or his sons?

While clearly caring about serving God, he allowed his attitude toward his sons to become dominant, even when they took advantage of their position to take undue advantage of God's people. God told Eli that he had made himself "fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel my people."

Through His actions, God was demonstrating the importance He places on the honour of His name.

This morning amongst other things, let us learn a lesson from Eli. There are many reasons why we might honour other people; but we must always give God first place in our lives. As a matter of truth, God should come before your spouse, children and other family members. God must be our highest priority.

Jesus expressed this truth this way: "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple" (Lk.14:26).

In contrast to Eli, we see this principle in action in the life of Abraham and Isaac. Of course, the day would come when Abraham will give Isaac everything, but first he had to prove to God that he honoured Him even more than Isaac, his only son, by offering Isaac on an altar (Gen.22:1-18)

By application, make sure that you have the right priorities in your life. Your priorities aren't what you say they are. They are revealed by how you live. Seek to make God first in your life, and that you serve Him at all times (Matt.6:33).

I leave you with this question: "What's really important in your life? Do your priorities say the same?" Think about it.

Ponder Point: When God becomes your highest priority, God [also] makes you His priority.

Action Point: Let your lifestyle portray God as your topmost priority. 

Prayer: Daddy, help me to have Your priorities in my life. Help me to have the right perspective about you and Your Kingdom in Jesus name, Amen.