Setting proper priorities in life is crucial for living a balanced and purposeful Christian life. The Bible provides much guidance on how believers should prioritize their time, resources, relationships and responsibilities before God. Here are some key Bible verses about priorities:
Putting God First
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 ESV)
This famous verse reminds us that pursuing an intimate relationship with God should be the highest priority in life. When we put God first, other areas will fall into place.
“Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” (Luke 4:8 ESV)
Serving and worshipping God is meant to be the central focus of our lives as Christians. We shouldn’t get distracted by lesser priorities.
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1 ESV)
We demonstrate that God is our top priority when we offer ourselves fully to Him as a living sacrifice of worship.
Loving God and Loving People
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:36-40 ESV)
While loving God is the first priority, loving others is the second greatest commandment. Caring for people should be high on our list of priorities as Christians.
“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV)
According to Paul, faith in God and hope in His promises are crucial, but loving God and people is life’s greatest priority.
Seeking God’s Kingdom
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 ESV)
This important verse reminds us that pursuing God’s kingdom is a top priority. This means spreading the Gospel, living righteously, and serving God’s purposes for our lives.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 ESV)
As a priority, Jesus commands all Christians to participate in the Great Commission by making disciples and spreading the Gospel globally.
Loving Our Families
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:25 ESV)
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4 ESV)
Healthy, Christ-centered families should be a top priority. Parents need to be devoted to loving and raising their children in the ways of the Lord.
“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8 ESV)
Caring and providing for our family members, especially parents and grandparents, should be a priority according to this verse.
Using Resources Wisely
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21 ESV)
This verse reminds us that how we spend our money and resources reveals our priorities. Our giving should reflect a heart devoted to God.
“Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.” (Luke 12:33 ESV)
Using resources to help the poor and invest in God’s eternal kingdom should be priorities for Christians.
“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” (1 Timothy 6:17 ESV)
This verse reminds the wealthy not to prioritize riches over a relationship with God. He is our provider, not wealth.
Being Diligent in Work
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3 ESV)
We should make it a priority to work diligently as if for the Lord Himself. He will bless this effort.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV)
Our jobs and duties should be done with excellence to honor God. He rewards those who make serving Him through their work a priority.
“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.” (Proverbs 6:6-8 ESV)
Being diligent and hard-working like ants should be a priority over being lazy. God values those who work hard.
Living Holy Lives
“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:14-16 ESV)
Holiness and living free from sin should be top priorities. We are called to live differently than the world around us.
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV)
In everything, we should make it a priority to glorify God with how we live. Our actions should point people to Him.
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15 ESV)
Loving worldly things over God is out of priority for Christians. We must seek eternal priorities over temporary ones.
Being Generous
“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35 ESV)
Generously giving to help those in need should be a high priority according to Jesus’ words recorded here.
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV)
Giving cheerfully and sacrificially to God’s work is something He rewards. We should make it a priority.
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.” (Proverbs 3:27 ESV)
When we have the ability to help someone in need, making it a priority to give generously is the right thing to do according to this proverb.
Attending Church
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)
Attending church regularly for worship, fellowship and encouragement should be a priority for believers.
“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” (Acts 2:44-46 NIV)
The early church made meeting together and caring for each other a key priority according to this passage.
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15 ESV)
As Christians, we are called the body of Christ. Attending church should be a priority to fulfill God’s calling over individualism.
Being Ready for Christ’s Return
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. Watch, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” (Matthew 25:13 ESV)
We must make it a priority to be ready and watchful for Christ’s promised return, even though we don’t know when it will be.
“So you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24:44 ESV)
Living in a way that anticipates and prepares for Christ’s return should be a constant Christian priority.
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” (Philippians 3:20-21 ESV)
These verses indicate believers should live with heaven and Christ’s return as priorities, rather than earthly concerns.
Trusting God Over Worries
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25 ESV)
Trusting God rather than worrying about material provisions should be a top priority according to Christ’s words.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV)
We honor God by making it a priority to cast our cares upon Him instead of carrying them ourselves. He will lift us up.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV)
Through prayer and thanksgiving, we should prioritize relying on God over worrying. This brings His peace.
Serving Others
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 ESV)
Jesus Himself modeled that serving others sacrificially is a top priority for those who follow Him.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10 NIV)
Believers have spiritual gifts meant to serve others, which should be a priority to use well for God’s glory.
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2 NIV)
Bearing others’ burdens is a way to follow Christ’s law of love. Serving should be prioritized.
Pursuing Righteousness
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 ESV)
Seeking personal righteousness should be a top priority for Christians, according to Christ’s command here.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6 ESV)
Having an appetite for righteousness leads to blessings from God. Pursuing it must be a priority.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 ESV)
A top priority for believers should be pursuing God’s perfect will, not worldly values. This requires transformation and renewal.
Spreading the Gospel
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 ESV)
As a final instruction, Jesus made the Great Commission a top priority for all Christians until His return.
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14 ESV)
According to Paul, believers must make spreading the Gospel a priority so all may have a chance to hear and believe.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 ESV)
Jesus commanded His followers to prioritize being empowered by the Spirit to take the Gospel globally as witnesses.