Jesus has a “first things first” type of approach to life. What is the FIRST THING you should do BEFORE taking a trip? You should get ready for taking the trip first. You should make sure the car is ready, the directions are correct, and that you have all the things you need for the trip. What is the FIRST THING you should do BEFORE you head out in living your life? Mat 6:33 (NIV) But seek FIRST His (God’s) kingdom and His righteousness, and all these THINGS will be given to you as well. Why would Jesus want you to seek FIRST God’s kingdom and His righteousness?

Jesus wants you to start with the BASICS. Most of people think they have already done that. You can read, write, do math, and carry on a conversation fairly well. You have worked on your skills and knowledge concerning the career you want for your life. You have tried to make yourself be professional at whatever you feel is the method for you going where you want to go for a successful future. However, there are some areas you haven’t spent much time on that can destroy all other aspects of your relationships and efforts. There are things inside you that contaminate and sabotage a lot of your relationships, your career, your goals, and your dreams. Seeking FIRST God’s kingdom and His righteousness takes care of all these internal things that are contaminating and sabotaging your life.

When you don’t seek FIRST God’s kingdom and His righteousness, it is like you missing the first step as you started down some long, steep stairs. Missing that first step could cause you to have a bad fall that would create a lot of pain and injury. That is what is happening to most people; they train for all those things that are going to need A LOT of God’s provisions in them. Would you be willing to let Jesus help you find out what the first step is in preparing for life? Would you be willing to spend some time with Jesus and let Him take you into God’s philosophies, methods, systems, and concepts?

Most people can hurt others and feel good about it. They have systems for forgiving themselves, justifying what they say, explaining the reason for their harshness, and can get their friends to tell them it wasn’t their fault. But, all those techniques are sabotaging and ruin their success in life. The more you hurt people, the more you have to force your will on them. If people don’t like you or trust you, then it will be a constant battle getting them to do what you want.

If God is allowed to put GOOD thoughts, feelings, words, and behavior in you, then your RELATIONSHIPS will be very enjoyable and beneficial to you and all those around you. Can you see how God’s philosophy would then affect the way you and your friends would use having money, fun, pleasure, and possessions, and getting popularity, prestige, positions, and power. You wouldn’t be willing to do anything that would hurt you or those around you.

If your goals are centered around what you want, how you feel, what’s best for you, and what makes you happy, then all those around you hold a second position to your way of life. If God is allowed to influence your philosophies, then you will learn how to “love your neighbor AS YOURSELF.” Most of the people around you treat you based on your attitudes toward them. If you see yourself as less than them, then a lot of them will use you and walk on you. If you see yourself as superior to them, then many will reject you and dislike you. If you respect them with an EQUAL respect for yourself, good things start to happen to you and to them.