How are your life priorities?
3 The word of the Lord came through Haggai the prophet: 4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” 5 Now, the Lord of Hosts says this: “Think carefully about your ways: 6 You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough to be satisfied. You drink but never have enough to become drunk. You put on clothes but never have enough to get warm. The wage earner puts his wages into a bag with a hole in it.” 7 The Lord of Hosts says this: “Think carefully about your ways. (Hag 1:3-7)
The context of this passage is that some Israelites had returned home from exile with a clear mission: rebuild the Temple of God. But when they faced opposition and difficulties, they stopped working on God’s house and redirected their energy into their own comfort. They built beautiful, “paneled houses” for themselves while leaving God’s house in ruins. They forgot their true purpose and fell into the trap of self-serving comfort.
Maybe you’re not building a physical house, but you may have fallen into the same trap as the Israelites. Let’s face it, it is easy to mix up priorities and wander from God’s purpose for you which is to serve and glorify Him.
The above passage also shows the result of wrong priorities. The Israelites were experiencing difficulties in life from God instead of blessings. The Lord did this to help get them on the right track.
There are lots of examples of wrong priorities in Scripture but these three show common traps that warp our priorities:
- Distraction (Martha): Martha prioritized her time poorly. She was consumed by chores and missed the blessing of sitting at Jesus’ feet. She was “worried and upset about many things,” forgetting that spending time with the Lord was the “one thing necessary” (Luke 10:41-42).
38 While they were traveling, He entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet and was listening to what He said. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand.” 41 The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice … (Lk 10:38-42)
- Greed (The Rich Fool): A successful man prioritized wealth and worldly things over God.
13 Someone from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 “Friend,” He said to him, “who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 Then He told them a parable: “A rich man’s land was very productive. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? 18 I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there. 19 Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.”’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’ 21 “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” (Lk 12:16-21)
- Lust (King David): King David prioritized his physical sexual lusts over obedience to God: His choice brought devastating, lifelong problems to his family and kingdom.
2 One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. 3 So David sent someone to inquire about her, and he reported, “This is Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam and wife of Uriah the Hittite.” 4 David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. (2 Sam 11:2-4)
Martha’s distractions caused her prioritize tasks over God and she missed out on the blessings of God. David’s lust caused him to prioritize sexual pleasure over obedience and suffered life problems. The rich man prioritized money over God and was spiritually bankrupt. Wrong priorities bring problems and missed blessings. Nothing this world offers is worth the price of putting God second.
Set right priorities in life. Take God’s advice:
7 The Lord of Hosts says this: “Think carefully about your ways. (Hag 1:3-7)
Think about areas of your life, or even moments in your life, where your priorities are wrong. Examine your life to see if God may be making sending life struggles to get you back on the right track.
Make sure your priorities are right.
Take some time now to honestly evaluate your life. Look closely at your schedule, your bank account, and your thoughts. Are there areas—or even small moments in your day—where your priorities have drifted? Are you spending all your energy building your own comfort while leaving your relationship with God in ruins?
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. (Mt 6:33)
Think about it
What is one area of your life (e.g., your time, finances, or talents) where you are spending all your energy on personal comfort, while your relationship with God gets the leftover “scraps”?
Are you having unexplained / unexpected financial problems? Could this be a sign that your life priorities are wrong and God is trying to teach you?
Do you fall most easily into the bad priorities of Martha (distraction/busyness), the Rich Fool (material wealth), or David (fleeting desires)? How can you change those priorities?
Jesus promises that when we seek His kingdom first, our daily needs will be provided for (Matthew 6:33). What is one practical change you can make in your daily routine tomorrow to intentionally put God first? (Examples: Spending the first 10 minutes of your day in prayer, turning off entertainment to read Scripture, or shifting a financial priority).
