DID YOU KNOW
Did You Know that the very first of the Ten Commandments isn’t a rule about behavior, but about relationship?
Exodus 20:3 says, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” Before God ever speaks about conduct, He speaks about priority. He’s not asking for partial loyalty; He’s inviting us into exclusive fellowship. In a world filled with competing voices and endless distractions, this commandment calls us back to the simplicity of devotion—to love the Lord your God with all your heart. The Hebrew word for “before” in this verse literally means “in My presence.” God isn’t threatened by our busyness or our dreams; He simply refuses to be displaced. When we put Him first, everything else finds balance. It’s not about removing responsibilities but reordering them so that all we do flows from His presence.
What makes this so insightful is that God began His law with grace. Before commanding Israel, He reminded them, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt.” In other words, the invitation to put Him first came after redemption, not before. We serve and prioritize Him not to earn freedom but because we are already free. The same is true today—when we start each day acknowledging His deliverance, gratitude becomes our motivation. The first commandment isn’t a restriction; it’s a realignment.
Think about your own life. What would shift if you began each day by saying, “God, You come first”? Maybe your schedule would look the same, but your spirit would be different—anchored, peaceful, intentional. That’s the secret of living in divine order. Freedom isn’t found in doing everything; it’s found in letting God direct everything.
Did You Know that when King Solomon wrote, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops” (Proverbs 3:9), he wasn’t simply teaching generosity—he was describing worship?
The idea of “firstfruits” in ancient Israel went far beyond a financial offering. It represented trust. Before the harvest was secure, before anyone knew if the season would yield enough to live on, the first portion belonged to God. By giving it, people declared, “I believe You’ll provide the rest.” That principle remains one of the most liberating spiritual disciplines we can practice. When we give God our first and best—in time, in talent, in treasure—we acknowledge Him as the source of every good thing.
It’s easy to put God first when we feel safe, but Solomon knew the real test of faith comes when we can’t see the outcome. He connects this verse with a promise: “Then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” God doesn’t promise excess; He promises enough. The firstfruits principle is not transactional—it’s relational. We give not to get, but because we already have a Provider who delights to care for His people.
As you look at your calendar, your budget, or even your emotions, what would it look like to give God the first portion? Maybe it’s dedicating the first ten minutes of your morning to prayer or beginning each week by serving someone else. When you do, you’re saying, “God, I trust You with the rest.” Putting Him first isn’t about subtraction—it’s about multiplication of joy, peace, and purpose.
Did You Know that Jesus’ teaching in *Matthew 6:33—“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”—*was delivered in the middle of a conversation about worry?
The crowd listening to Jesus that day was anxious about food, clothing, and tomorrow. His words weren’t just spiritual poetry; they were practical counsel for weary hearts. “Seek first” doesn’t mean seek only. It means start every pursuit with God’s kingdom at the center. Jesus wasn’t condemning planning or providing; He was revealing priority. When God is first, worry loses its grip.
What’s insightful here is that “seeking” in the original Greek implies continuous action—keep seeking, keep turning, keep orienting your life toward God’s ways. This isn’t a one-time decision; it’s a daily practice. We often think peace comes when problems are solved, but Jesus teaches that peace comes when priorities are straight. The heart that seeks the kingdom first experiences the King’s care in every detail.
Ask yourself today: am I chasing things that God has already promised to add if I’ll just seek Him first? When we place our confidence in His order, we discover that provision follows purpose. Begin each morning by saying, “Lord, before I chase anything else today, I seek You.” That single act of surrender can turn a restless day into a kingdom-centered one.
Did You Know that the Apostle Paul echoed this same truth in Colossians 1:17–18, declaring that Christ “is before all things, and in Him all things hold together… that in everything He might have the supremacy”?
Long before scientists spoke of gravitational forces holding matter together, Paul proclaimed that the glue of the universe is a Person. Jesus isn’t merely first in chronology; He’s first in authority. The phrase “He is before all things” emphasizes eternal preeminence—Christ existed before creation and sustains creation by His power.
In practical terms, that means when life feels fragmented or chaotic, the One who holds galaxies in orbit can hold your world together. Paul wrote these words to believers surrounded by competing philosophies that diminished Christ’s role. He reminds them—and us—that putting Jesus first isn’t a slogan; it’s a survival strategy. Everything else we build will unravel unless it’s held together in Him. The more we exalt Christ in our priorities, the more aligned everything else becomes.
Here’s the invitation: make Christ your starting point, not your last resort. When He becomes the center, relationships heal, purposes clarify, and strength renews. Begin each decision with, “Lord Jesus, be first here.” Life ordered around Christ doesn’t eliminate challenges, but it secures stability. When He holds first place, we discover that in Him, everything else holds together.
Putting God first isn’t about religion; it’s about relationship. From Sinai to Solomon, from Galilee to Colossae, the same message echoes through time: Start with God, and everything else will find its place. Whether it’s your priorities, your finances, your plans, or your peace, He is worthy of the first portion and capable of sustaining the rest.
Thank you for taking time today to reflect on these inspirational promises. As you go about your day, remember that every “first” you give to God becomes the foundation for His blessings.
FEEL FREE TO COMMENT AND SHARE