Online Articles
"Seek Ye First"
As you are aware, this title is the theme for our current “One Year Plan.” Along with our preachers, some of the elders will be speaking on different aspects of this admonition, and others will write articles in the bulletin, this being the initial one.
The verses just prior to Mt. 6:33, the well-known verse that this theme originates from, give us vivid examples of God’s magnificent benevolence toward his general creation and then emphasize His great care and provision for man, especially for those who put Him first in their lives. And in Luke’s account (chapter 12), Jesus sets the stage for those comments in vss. 16-21 with the tragic story of “a certain rich man.” This man lived his life as the vast majority of mankind today does, with his main priority being that of worldly endeavors and possessions. We are all familiar with God’s assessment of this man’s life focus in vss. 20 & 21: “But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' "So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Though being “rich,” as we know is not a sin in itself, it is a sin to make that (or any other selfish endeavor) our goal. (I Tim. 6: 9,10). If we find ourselves blessed with this world’s goods as most of us surely are, later in that same chapter Paul says in vss. 17-19: “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
Southside is a very benevolent group of Christians that are “rich in good works,” but I fear (and I’m looking in the mirror) that other “cares of this world” (Mt 13:22) may give us more trouble than riches with maintaining correct priorities in our lives. These are likely things that are okay within themselves, and even good, and many that are necessary. But if we are not very careful we can easily find ourselves too busy with those things to read and study our Bible, strive to teach the lost, pray as we should, attend and participate in worship as we should, or serve others as we are taught to do.
In focusing this year (and beyond) on the only priority acceptable to God - “first,” I personally hope to be able to better identify what it means to put God and His precepts and will above every other desire, plan, activity, and accomplishment so that I might in a small way be pleasing to, and glorify my Creator. If we make every effort to adhere to God’s recipe for “mind control” given to us in Phil. 4:8 : “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things,” diligently using the scriptures to define what those things are, we can hardly help but elevate God to the highest place in our lives.
Finally, an acronym that may assist in reminding us why God and His Son deserve first place in every aspect of our lives:
F – FRIEND
God is a true Friend to all the faithful. “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. And he was called the friend of God” (Ja. 2:23).
I – INSPIRATION
He is our ultimate Inspiration or Influence for righteousness. “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (I Jn. 2:6).
R – REDEEMER
He alone is our Redeemer. “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14).
S – SACRIFICE
He is the only Sacrifice for our sins. “But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God” (Heb 10:12).
T – TREASURE
He must be our only real Treasure. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Lu 12:34).
