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Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:25-34

Title: First Things First

Key Verse: Matthew 6:33 (ESV) ~ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

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Devotional:

A young entrepreneur was struggling to balance his demanding startup with his family and faith. Despite attending church regularly, he felt spiritually stagnant. One morning, overwhelmed by his schedule, he decided to skip his usual prayer time to tackle urgent emails. This became a pattern - prayer pushed aside for "urgent" matters, Bible reading replaced by business podcasts, and family dinners sacrificed for late meetings.

Months later, his marriage was strained, his children felt distant, and despite business success, he felt empty. A mentor asked him a simple question: "What gets your best time and attention?" The answer was uncomfortable but clear - everything except what mattered most.

Like this entrepreneur, we often mistake the urgent for the important. Jesus reminds us that our priorities shape our spiritual trajectory. When we seek God's kingdom first - making time for prayer, Scripture, worship, and Christian community - everything else finds its proper place. This doesn't mean neglecting responsibilities, but rather approaching them from a foundation of spiritual strength.

Our spiritual growth depends on what we feed first. Just as children need nutritious food at regular intervals to develop properly, our souls require consistent spiritual nourishment through prioritizing our relationship with God above all else.

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Additional Passages for Reflection:

• 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 (spiritual maturity vs. spiritual infancy)


• Luke 10:38-42 (Mary and Martha - choosing what is better)

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