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We understand the Lord’s teaching above in the context of His message in the Gospel of Matthew. He and His Father as the creator of mankind, know that food, clothing, and shelter are daily essentials, but they should not become our focus in life.

As human beings, whatever we focus on, or set goals to achieve, is where our heart, thoughts and, in turn time and actions, get placed. Colossians 3:1-2, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

As a principle for setting things in the right order, the above teaching can be applied to many aspects of life. Specifically, by applying it to three simple aspects, we can witness how putting the Lord first before self allows us to access His righteousness.

1) Events – The second commandment tells us that God rested the seventh day and made it Holy. When we come to our day of rest, do we seek first the Kingdom of God to make that day Holy or do we prioritise other events for ‘self’ ahead of worshipping God?

2) Offerings, Church Funds – Do we set aside these things first in our life or give to God what is left?

The Lord summed up getting the priority right in these two areas. Matthew 22:37-38, “Jesus  said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.”

He then went on to show the third area of life for our priorities.

3) Charity – Matthew 22:39, “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Do we put ourselves out in order to help others or just when it is convenient? Matthew 22:40, “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

It is sound spiritual knowledge to know and understand what our Lord taught regarding getting our priorities ‘right’ in His sight, but it is wisdom to apply that in our lives.