Comments on: Priorities as a Christian

By: Danny Daniels

Danny Daniels — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 14:09:16 +0000

I enjoyed this post. Priorities are important. Here is my perspective. God is first in everything. As a result we will obey his commands to love one another. We are the church. We are supposed to fellowship (koinonia) with each other often. Wherever two or more are gathered together in His name He is there. So, lets intentionally get together and encourage one another often. This can be at church, home, the golf course, the grocery store, wherever we live life. The church building is a great gathering place and should be a priority but it is not a substitute for real Biblical fellowship. God want us to love Him by loving each other. Unfortunately, very little love happens in many (most) churches. Self righteousness abounds but that is no excuse to avoid Christian fellowship.

Here is my version of a priority list.
1. Love God
2. Love Self (If you don’t make sure your own tank is full then you have nothing to give to others.)
3. Love others (starting with those closest to you, family)

Love is a verb, an action. It does the cause of Christ no service to lose your family because of ministry. Very poor testimony. Our family is our first ministry.

God bless.

By: Vil

Vil — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:29:02 +0000

God, Family, Church. In that order. Although this may sound like im agreeing to some of you here, my reasoning is different. Your family should be the first CHURCH MEMBERS for you. Also, i do not agree that you/me should come before our wife and children. Look, the Lord said love your neighbor as yourself. In that case, where do you place your family, below yourself and the neighbor? Of course not! Do we understand Matthew 6:33? Besides, have we read how how the early Christians treated their Christian leaders and co-members? We have so much to learn.

By: Cathey Langston

Cathey Langston — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 20:26:27 +0000

Yes, we must be careful to NEVER JUDGE anyone. We will be judged by that same judgement. How sad that will be when these christians who do judge and condem are judged. I pray that God has mercy on them. We are to be like Christ, not Christ like. I believe as christians need to look beyond otheres faults, and see the need, not to judge. So many people are run off from churches because of this very thing, and that is so sad.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 20:23:07 +0000

@Cathey – The Bible says that we will be persecuted when we stand up for the things of God. Unfortunately a lot of the persecution comes from those that are closest to us including the church. You just need to stand for what God has clearly shown you and act in love towards those who don’t understand. I believe the Bible also says to pray for those that persecute you. In everything we just need to continue to stand for the things of God.

By: Cathey Langston

Cathey Langston — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 20:19:38 +0000

Maybe you need to ask God if your in the right church to begin with. I find that my church asks you t volunteer, and if you do it’s because you want too. If we take on too much, it’s on us. I think some marrige christian counseling would help you a lot. If you can get the husband to go. Pray can change things. I will be praying for you.

By: Cathey Langston

Cathey Langston — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 20:14:37 +0000

I am struggling with the explanation to my church family my reasons for putting God, Family, and then church as my priorities. I feel God should always come first in everything we do, say, act, and think. I know some people have a problem with this, but if you read the word of God, you will see even God says to put him first, thn family, then everything else. If we give our all to God, then everything thing else will be prioritized in our lives.

By: Erin

Erin — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:54:50 +0000

I really appreciate what you wrote in this blog. I have recently realized that my priorities as a Christian are completely out of place so I decided to see what others had to say about it. Your blog was the first one I stumbled upon and there were many points that you made that were “oh duhh” moments that I can’t believe I had never thought of before.

The main part that I liked was where you talked about God knowing what makes us happy and that He knows what is best for our lives. I had always looked at it as simply God first and everything else where I felt it should be after that but that isn’t right. God gives us things to focus on because they are what will make us happy, whether it is in the present or the future. For example, my college education is one of my top priorities at the moment because it is preparing me for what God has planned for my future. I definitely do not enjoy some of the homework and projects but I still need to do them in order to be the best I can be as God works through me.

Also, I really respect you for putting yourself before your wife and kids on your priority list. Some people see it as selfish but how are you suppose to love on them and care for them if you haven’t taken care of yourself first? Especially as the man of the house. If you do not have yourself aligned with God, how are you going to lead your family in the direction of His will? You’ll quickly get discouraged and burnt out if you don’t take the time to first be loved on and refreshed by God!

Thank you again for what you wrote. I know it was written some time ago but it definitely spoke to me and was an encouragement. If you know of any Bible verses that guided you on your priority list can you please list them? It would be much appreciated!!

By: Dan

Dan — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 03:05:02 +0000

I am really sorry to hear of your situation with your spouse. I know it must be difficult to maintain your commitment to your husband and to God under the circumstances but it is admirable that you are doing so.

The best advise that I can give is to pray and stay in faith. God is able to work in all areas and if you allow him to be at the center of this one then I believe that you will see results. I cannot say when, but I believe you will eventually.

Thank you for reaching out. I encourage you to do so to God and others that can give Godly guidance.

By: Bfree7321

Bfree7321 — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 06:47:15 +0000

I agree with the author’s comments. I have been a very active member of the same church for several years(10+). Unfortunately, I have first hand experience of being neglected because my husbanf puts the church before our family. This misinterpretation of God’s plan for the family has affectsed our marital relationship as well as our finances. It has opened the door for temptation many times. He is always going to meetings with and making time for others, including “man starved” women. Fortunately, God has delivered me from the temptation of going outside of the marriage for affection, etc. . However, it isn’t easy when you see your spouse embracing everyone at church (AND OUTSIDE FAMILY & FRIENDS) and then coming home too tired to do anything. (and I mean anything!) It doesn’t help either having a pastor that preaches ” a spouse doesn’t need to go home because they don’t like to be with their spouse.” I just want to know where that is found in the bible. He thinks that the other spouse is at home always nagging. He doesn’t know that my husband waits for me to finish all the household chores before he gets home. He even decided to go golfing more when the marriage counselor(another pastor who really knows the word) told him to stop spending every Saturday morning at the church. His argument is that I just want him to sit home and look at me. No, I told him that I need help around the house and that I shouldn’t have to do all the cooking and cleaning while he sits on the couch drinking beer and watching TV. (He thinks that I am Martha-waiting on everyone and he is Mary-sitting at Jesus’ feet). It’s too bad that the pastor doesn’t make surprise visits or even comes around at all. He just needs my husband to be his main leader at church, I guess. Unfortunately he doesn’t believe me when I say that he acts totally different at home. Most of the people at church(and outside of your home family, friends, etc.) don’t care if you are having problems. They just want you to help them with their problems, ministries etc.

By: Mateo P. Noveras

Mateo P. Noveras — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 01:42:47 +0000

Well i think Dan is a realistic man. Christians must be realistic and not pretentious because God wants us to understand the way He designed us and called us. for me, i agree with his priorities. How can you demonstrate the Love of God if you are in the CHURCH, well i think most of us technically called the church as a building, an organization but the truth is, CHURCH is the worship place. why, if you are not in the church you cannot worship God? What about yourself? the bible called our body a temple of God, what about our family? we can bring the church activities in our family. Is it good to God’s sight if we are worshiping God in the CHURCH and after that in our home we cannot worship God? and then we call ourselves Christians? We must know God’s priorities my brothers