Power Flows from Priorities
“In everything you do put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (TLB)
Power flows from priorities. When our priorities are aligned with God’s Word and God’s will for our lives, we have the illimitable resources of God available to us. His strength, His provision, His peace, His direction. The measure of our success is in direct proportion to the extent we put God first in everything we do. If you want success in your marriage, put God first in your marriage. If you want success in your business, put God first in your business. If you want success over your finances, put God first in your finances. The promise of Proverbs 3:5, 6 is the principle for dynamic faith that energizes us to live life in all its fullness! “In everything you do (underscore ‘everything’) put God first, (here’s the promise:) and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.”
This means that you and I get to determine the measure of our success. When we put God first in everything we do, we are honoring God. Does He have first place in your life? How do you know? Look at your priorities. Here are two priorities that may need realignment:
TIME
How crowded is your schedule? Do you ever wish for more hours in the day to get everything done? Is your life stressed with more demands than you can accomplish? Try this out: Give God the first part of your day reading a portion of Scripture with prayer. What? You want me to add something else to my day? Try it for the next 30 days and see what happens. The Bible says, “Reverence for God adds hours to each day. …” Proverbs 10:27 (TLB) Give God the first part of every day in personal worship and the first day of every week in worship at church. You’ll be amazed how He will manage your schedule and empower you to get everything done He wants you to do. Power flows from our priorities. How much of a priority each day is time alone with God in His Word and prayer in your life?
Finances
If you want God to crown your efforts with success begin the practice of putting God first in your finances. When we give back to God a portion of what He has blessed us with, we honor Him. The Bible says, “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the first and best part of all your income. Then your barns will be full, and your vats will overflow with fresh wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10 (GW) It sounds counterintuitive, but just as God adds hours to our day when we give Him the first part of our day, He provides all the resources we need when we honor Him in our finances.
If you really want to know what your priorities are you only have to look at your schedule and your budget. How are you spending your time and your money? Then ask yourself, “How can I honor God more with my schedule and my finances?” As you begin to make the adjustments that you know will honor Him you will experience His power and provision for all you need! “He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.”