Priorities
Mike Johnson
“We need to put first things first.” “You need to get your priorities straightened out.” These are common expressions in our society. Certainly, priorities do need to be kept in mind. There are some things that are more important than others.
The Bible has a lot to say concerning priorities. God expects the Christian to put “first things first.” A Christian is to realize what is truly important. Matthew 6:33 says that we are to seek first the kingdom of God. Also, Paul admonished that we are to “approve things that are excellent” (Phil. 1:10). Consider some areas in which people have confused priorities.
Beauty
The Bible speaks of certain ones who were “fair” or “beautiful.” Some were of good character; others were not. The “daughters of men” of Genesis 6, Sarah (Gen. 12:11), Rebekah (Gen. 24:16), and Vashti (Esth. 1:11-12) were all described as “fair.” Esther, as we learn in the book of Esther, is also referred to as “fair and beautiful” (2:7).
Much emphasis is placed on physical beauty in our society. Think of all the products and services that are advertised and sold in our society which are supposed to make a person more attractive. We should be concerned about our bodies and our appearance. However, it must be understood that attaining physical beauty is not our primary goal.
The main point of emphasis with the Christian should be the inner person. I Peter 3:3-4 reveals that the most important attribute is not the outward adorning of a person. Here, as Peter addresses wives, he says that their adorning should be “ . . . the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” Physical beauty quickly fades; character, i.e., inner beauty, can last a lifetime. There is nothing wrong with physical beauty. It is not, however, the most important goal. Inner beauty is where our priorities should always be.
Health
We read of people in the Bible who had physical ailments. Job would be an example from the Old Testament of a person who, at least for a while, suffered a great deal. II Kings 20 tells us that King Hezekiah was sick unto death. In the New Testament, Paul had a “thorn in flesh” (II Cor. 12:7), and Timothy apparently had stomach problems (I Tim. 5:23). Paul spoke of Epaphroditus as having been “sick nigh unto death” (Phil. 2:27). We also read of various diseases and physical problems that people had who were healed by Christ.
Physical health is very important to people. An often repeated statement is “if you have your health, you have everything.” Much emphasis is placed on health today. Health food stores, vitamins, exercise equipment, and exercise shows are still very popular. We all want to be physically healthy, and there is nothing wrong with trying to be. However, physical health should not be a person’s primary goal.
The main emphasis with people should be their spiritual health. We read of certain ones in the Bible who had spiritual ailments. The church at Laodicea thought that they were in good spiritual health but they were not, and Jesus told them that they were spiritually blind (Rev. 3:17-18). Simon may have had good physical health. However, Peter told him in Acts 8:21, “. . . for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.” He was a man with spiritual heart trouble.
There is nothing wrong with trying to maintain or acquire good physical health. It is important to understand, however, that the main point of emphasis should be our spiritual health. A person may have good physical and spiritual health. But, if a person loses his physical health and continues to maintain his spiritual health, then he continues to be healthy in the most important way.
Wealth
We read of quite a few wealthy people in the Word of God. People such as Abraham, Job, and Joseph of Arimathea are mentioned as wealthy. There is nothing wrong with money itself. We need a certain amount of it to function in our society. Paul charges the rich in I Timothy 6 to not be high-minded or trust in uncertain riches, and to use their wealth to accomplish good (vs. 17,18). There may be some advantages to material wealth, but obtaining it is not the main purpose in the life of a Christian.
The primary kind of wealth for us should be spiritual wealth. Jesus said to the church at Smyrna, in Revelation 2:9, “I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) . . .” Smyrna, known as the suffering church, may have been materially poor, but they were spiritually rich. On the other hand, Laodicea, which was apparently physically wealthy, was described as spiritually “wretched,” “miserable,” “poor”and“naked” (Rev. 3:17). Smyrna had the most important kind of wealth of all— spiritual wealth, and their wealth was enduring (note Mt. 6:19-21). Smyrna is sometimes called the “poor-rich church” while Laodicea is called the “rich-poor church.”
Preaching
There have been many polished, educated, and eloquent orators of God’s Word. They existed in Bible times. They have existed in more recent times, and they are even present in our times. Apollos, in the New Testament, fits into the category of an eloquent orator. He is described in Acts 18:24 as “eloquent and mighty in the scriptures.” He was from Alexandria, which was a center of Hebrew learning. He was clearly a very effective teacher, and is mentioned for the work that he did at Corinth. Many denominational preachers today have a good manner of presentation, and they obviously have a good speaking ability.
It is important for preachers to present their material in a very clear way. They need to try and improve their grammar, pronunciation, and general presentation. It would probably do most preachers good to listen to themselves on tape from time to time, or even more intimidating, watch themselves on video. Eloquence is important, but it should not be a preacher’s primary objective.
The main criterion for a preacher is that he is “set for the defense of the gospel” (Phil. 1:17). He must have conviction and always be willing to stand for the truth. Eloquence means nothing without a desire to stand for God’s Word.
Paul said in I Corinthians 2:1 that he came not to the Corinthians with “excellency of speech” or “wisdom.” He said, “For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (v. 2). Paul was not against excellency of speech or human wisdom. Instead, he places emphasis on the importance of God’s message.
It is helpful for a preacher to have a good education and to be a strong, polished, and eloquent speaker. However, that is not the main goal. The main goal is to preach the truth and be willing to stand for it. What is your attitude toward preaching? Do you place “polish” over substance? We need to make sure that we have our priorities straight with regard to preaching.
Conclusion
We need to make sure that we always put first things first. We need to keep our priorities in order. It is important to understand what the most important goals in life are.”