Life is full of choices.
Every day, people decide what matters most to them.
For some, it’s family.
For others, it’s success, money, or personal happiness.
But what does the Bible say should come first in our lives?
Over and over again, Scripture calls believers to put God above everything else.
It teaches that when God is first, everything else falls into place.
When He is not, life becomes a struggle filled with anxiety, disappointment, and misplaced priorities.
But how do we put God first in a world full of distractions?
And why is it so important?
Let’s explore what the Bible teaches about making God the top priority in our lives.
God Commands Us to Put Him First
From the very beginning, God made it clear that He wants to be the number one priority in our lives.
In Exodus 20:3, He gave a direct command:
“You shall have no other gods before me.”
This is the first of the Ten Commandments, and it sets the foundation for a relationship with God.
He is not willing to share His place with anything or anyone else.
Jesus also reinforced this truth in Matthew 22:37-38 when He said:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.”
Loving God fully means putting Him before everything else—before our careers, relationships, dreams, and even ourselves.
When we put Him first, we acknowledge that He is the source of everything good in our lives.
Seeking God Above Everything Else
One of the most well-known verses about priorities is Matthew 6:33:
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Jesus spoke these words while teaching about worry.
He explained that people often chase after food, clothing, and material needs, but God already knows what they need.
Instead of being consumed by worldly concerns, Jesus instructed His followers to seek God first.
When we trust God with our needs, He provides.
Putting Him first means relying on His wisdom instead of our own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5-6 reinforces this idea:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
When we prioritize God, He guides our decisions, clears obstacles, and leads us down the right path.
The Dangers of Not Putting God First
When God is not first, life can quickly become unbalanced.
People often put their careers, relationships, or personal ambitions above God, thinking that these things will bring happiness.
But when anything takes God’s place, it becomes an idol.
Idols are not just statues made of stone or gold.
An idol is anything that we value more than God.
Money, success, social approval, and even family can become idols if we put them ahead of our relationship with Him.
Jesus warned about this in Matthew 6:24:
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Divided priorities lead to stress, confusion, and a constant feeling of being unfulfilled.
When God is not first, life becomes a struggle for control, leaving people exhausted and frustrated.
Putting God First in Daily Life
Putting God first is not just a one-time decision—it’s a daily choice.
Here are a few practical ways to make God the priority in everyday life.
Start the day with Him.
Before checking emails, scrolling through social media, or diving into a busy schedule, spend time in prayer and Scripture.
Psalm 5:3 says, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”
Beginning the day with God sets the tone for everything that follows.
Make time for His Word.
Reading the Bible regularly strengthens faith and keeps priorities aligned with His will.
Joshua 1:8 reminds believers of the power of Scripture:
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
Choose obedience over convenience.
Putting God first means following His commands, even when it’s difficult or unpopular.
Luke 9:23 says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
Sometimes, this means making tough choices, but obedience to God always leads to blessing.
God Blesses Those Who Put Him First
The Bible is full of promises for those who prioritize God.
One of the greatest examples is found in the story of Solomon.
When Solomon became king, God appeared to him in a dream and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you” (1 Kings 3:5).
Instead of asking for wealth or power, Solomon asked for wisdom to lead God’s people.
Because Solomon sought God first, God blessed him with wisdom, riches, and honor beyond what he could have imagined (1 Kings 3:10-14).
Jesus also promised that those who put God first will be taken care of.
In Mark 10:29-30, He said:
“Truly I tell you, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age… and in the age to come eternal life.”
God is faithful.
When we put Him first, He provides everything we need—both in this life and the next.
Putting God First in Relationships
Many people struggle with the balance between putting God first and caring for their relationships.
But Jesus made it clear that loving God should come before everything else.
In Luke 14:26, He said:
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.”
Jesus was not telling people to literally hate their families.
He was emphasizing that our love for God should be so strong that every other relationship seems small in comparison.
When God is first, all other relationships fall into place.
A person who loves God fully will love their spouse, children, and friends with a deeper, more selfless love.
Ephesians 5:25 gives an example of this in marriage:
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
True love is only possible when God is at the center.
The Reward of a Life Centered on God
When we put God first, we experience peace, purpose, and fulfillment.
Psalm 37:4 says, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
This does not mean God grants every wish like a genie.
It means that when we delight in Him, our desires change to match His will.
Instead of chasing things that don’t satisfy, we find joy in His plans for us.
Isaiah 26:3 promises, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
A life centered on God is free from the anxiety and emptiness that come from putting other things first.
Final Thoughts
The Bible makes it clear that putting God first is the key to a blessed and fulfilling life.
When we seek Him above all else, He provides, leads, and fills our hearts with peace.
Neglecting God for worldly priorities only leads to stress and disappointment.
Each day, we have a choice—to live for ourselves or to live for Him.
The more we put Him first, the more we will see His hand in our lives.
In the end, nothing matters more than our relationship with God.
Everything else is temporary, but He is eternal.
Making Him the priority is the best decision we will ever make.