Putting God First – Second is Not an Option

Alright, let’s get real for a second. If I had a nickel for every time someone said, “I’m putting God first,” I’d have enough to buy coffee for the whole congregation. But let’s not kid ourselves—this isn’t just a catchy Christian phrase. It’s the heart of what it means to follow Jesus.

So, today, we’re diving deep into this idea of putting God first. It’s not about a checklist or giving God a spiritual “head nod” before you go about your day. It’s about making Him the absolute, unquestionable priority in every area of your life. And yes, that’s going to take some rearranging.

Everyone Has Priorities

Think about it—everyone organizes their life around what matters most to them. For some, it’s their career. For others, it’s relationships, hobbies, or even their social media clout. But when you say, “God comes first,” you’re saying that He’s at the center of everything. He’s not just penciled into your schedule; He’s the one holding the calendar. When Jesus said,

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind” (Matthew 22:37)

He wasn’t asking for a part-time commitment. He meant everything. Your time, your talents, your treasures—nothing gets held back.

Breaking the Idol Factory

Now, let’s talk about idols for a moment. No, I’m not talking about statues or golden calves (although if you’ve got one of those, we need to have a chat). Idols can be anything that takes God’s place in your heart. It might be your job, your bank account, or even that Netflix series you can’t stop binge-watching.

Remember Gideon? God told him to tear down the altars to Baal and build an altar to the Lord instead (Judges 6:25-27). That’s the kind of decisive action we’re talking about. What’s the “Baal” in your life that’s stealing your attention from God? Smash it. Burn it. Replace it with worship of the one true God.

The Widow’s Miracle

Let’s zoom in on one of my favorite biblical mic-drop moments. In 1 Kings 17, there’s a widow who’s about to make her last meal for her and her son. Elijah shows up and says, “Hey, I know you’re starving, but could you make me some bread first?”

Now, if that were me, I’d be like, “Excuse me? Did you not hear the part about ‘last meal’?” But this widow puts God first, trusting Him in her scarcity. And what happens? The flour doesn’t run out, and the oil doesn’t dry up. God provides abundantly when we put Him first.

Seek First the Kingdom

Jesus wasn’t kidding when He said,

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

Putting God first isn’t just a spiritual nice-to-have—it’s the key to everything else. You want peace? Put God first. You want purpose? Put God first. You want to stop feeling like you’re spinning plates? Yep, you guessed it—put God first.

Practical Steps to Putting God First

Now, let’s make this real. Here are some ways to start living this out:

1. Start Your Day with Him: Before you grab your phone, grab your Bible. Spend time in prayer and the Word.

   
   

2. Reevaluate Your Priorities: Take a hard look at your schedule and budget. Are they reflecting your commitment to God?

   
   

3. Obey His Commands: Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Loving God means doing what He says—even when it’s hard.

   
   

4. Give Him Your Firstfruits: Whether it’s your time, energy, or finances, don’t give God the leftovers. Give Him the best.

   
   

5. Jesus Our Example: If you ever wonder what putting God first looks like, just look at Jesus. He lived in complete submission to the Father’s will. In the garden of Gethsemane, facing the cross, He prayed, “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). That’s the ultimate example of putting God first.

If God Isn’t First, He May as Well Be Last

Here’s a hard truth: if God isn’t first in your life, He may as well be last. Let me say that again because it’s not just a catchy one-liner—it’s a wake-up call. God isn’t interested in being second place. He’s not content with scraps of your attention or the leftovers of your devotion. He’s either Lord of all or not Lord at all.

Jesus put it bluntly in Revelation 3:16 when He said,

“So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

Ouch. That’s not exactly the kind of feedback you want from the Savior of the world. But He’s making a point: He’s not looking for half-hearted, lukewarm Christians. He’s looking for disciples who are all in—people willing to give everything to follow Him.

Being a Disciple Costs Everything

Jesus doesn’t sugarcoat what it means to be His disciple. In Luke 9:23-24, He says,

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”

Let’s break that down. Following Jesus isn’t a side hustle; it’s a full-life commitment. It’s about surrendering your plans, your desires, and even your comfort for the sake of the kingdom. It means saying, “God, I trust You more than I trust myself. I’m handing over the reins because I know You’re a better driver.”

Lukewarm Living Doesn’t Cut It

Here’s the danger of lukewarm Christianity: it tricks you into thinking you’re “good enough.” You go to church on Sundays, say a quick prayer before meals, and maybe crack open your Bible every now and then. But Jesus didn’t die on the cross so we could live a life of spiritual mediocrity. He calls us to radical love, radical faith, and radical obedience.

If your relationship with God feels like an afterthought, it’s time for a heart check. Are you giving Him your all, or are you holding back? Are you living as though He’s the most important thing in your life, or are you just fitting Him in where it’s convenient?

Saving Your Life by Losing It

The paradox of the Christian life is this: the more you try to hold on to your life, the more it slips through your fingers. But when you give it to God—when you let Him be first—you actually find the life you were created for.

Think about the disciples. They left everything to follow Jesus—their jobs, their families, their comfort. And while the world might say they lost everything, they gained eternal life, purpose, and a relationship with the living God. That’s the kind of trade-off Jesus is offering us.

No Compromises

Putting God first means there’s no room for compromise. It’s all or nothing. Remember, Jesus didn’t give half of Himself on the cross—He gave everything. And He’s asking for the same from us.

So, where is God in your life right now? Is He truly first, or is He somewhere down the list? If He’s not first, it’s time to make a change. Because in the end, if He’s not first, He may as well be last.

Closing Challenge

Here’s the bottom line: putting God first isn’t a one-time decision; it’s a daily discipline. It’s saying, “God, You’re not just part of my life; You are my life.” And when you live that way, you’ll find that everything else falls into its rightful place.

Closing Prayer

Lord, help us to put You first in every area of our lives. Show us the idols we need to tear down and give us the courage to remove them. Teach us to seek Your kingdom above all else and trust You to provide for our needs. May we live lives that honor You, reflecting Your glory in everything we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.