Priorities are a recurring theme throughout the Bible, often serving as a guide for our daily lives. The Bible provides a framework for setting priorities, by teaching us to put God first in our lives, value relationships over material possessions, and strive for spiritual growth above worldly success. It encourages us to seek wisdom and understanding, and maintain a balanced perspective grounded in love and compassion.
What the Bible Teaches About Prioritizing God
The Bible places utmost importance on prioritizing God above all things. It encourages believers to develop a spiritually centred perspective, valuing their relationship with God over all earthly possessions and pursuits. This spiritual focus is encouraged not only in worship, but also in every decision made, every action taken, and every goal pursued. The Bible teaches that making God our first priority brings inner peace, clarity of purpose, and guidance.
Why Relationships Are Valued Over Possessions
Another priority highlighted in the Bible is the importance of relationships over material wealth. It boldly states that wealth, in and of itself, holds no value compared to the richness of meaningful relationships. It encourages a loving relationship with God and others as the highest treasure to seek. It also stresses the importance of love, compassion, forgiveness, and understanding in forming and maintaining these relationships.
When Spiritual Growth Outweighs Worldly Success
The Bible underscores the importance of focusing on spiritual growth over worldly success. While success, achievements, and possessions are not condemned, the Bible reminds us that they are fleeting. It encourages us to invest time and effort in cultivating our spiritual life, growing in wisdom, faith, and understanding. It advises that spiritual growth leads to true fulfillment and ultimate success.
Where Wisdom and Understanding Hold Precedence
According to the Bible, wisdom and understanding hold a high place in the order of priorities. These qualities are not merely intellectual pursuits. They involve learning from life experiences, making sound decisions, and developing insight and discernment. The Bible is rich with passages encouraging us to seek wisdom and understanding, to be introspective and learn from our actions and their consequences.
How to Maintain a Balanced Perspective
The Bible also speaks on the importance of maintaining a balanced perspective in life. It encourages us to strike a balance between our responsibilities, between work and rest, between giving and receiving. It underscores the importance of developing a well-rounded character, involving oneself in varied pursuits, and nourishing both body and soul. This balance, according to the Bible, contributes to a fruitful and satisfying life.
Below is the full list of bible verses on priorities (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Priorities
Matthew 6:33
“33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Romans 12:2
“2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Related Themes: Complaining Lust Creativity Attitude Business
Luke 12:34
“34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Related Themes: Finances Money Treasure Homelessness
Exodus 20:3
“3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”
1 Timothy 3:5
“5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)”
Related Themes: Family Leadership
Deuteronomy 6:5
“5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”
Luke 10:38-42
“38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Related Themes: Hospitality Distraction Worship
Mark 8:36-37
“36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Matthew 6:24
“24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
John 14:15
“15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
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Psalm 90:12
“12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”
Related Themes: Life Time Wisdom Birthday New Beginnings
Proverbs 24:27
“27 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.”
Related Themes: Money Preparation Setting Goals Finances Planning
Matthew 22:37-38
“37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.38 This is the first and great commandment.”
Micah 6:8
“8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
Related Themes: Humility Justice Strangers Business Social Justice
Philippians 4:6-8
“6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
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Proverbs 21:21
“21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.”
Matthew 5:6
“6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”
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Mark 12:28-31
“28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”
1 Timothy 2:1-2
“1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
2 Timothy 2:22
“22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
Colossians 3:2
“2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Related Themes: Lust Humility Indulgence Mind Thinking
Mark 12:31
“31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”
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Colossians 1:16-17
“16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
Related Themes: Earth Omnipotence Earth Sovereignty Creation
1 Timothy 4:8
“8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”
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Hebrews 11:6
“6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
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Matthew 23:12
“12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
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Ecclesiastes 12:13
“13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
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Haggai 1:9-11
“9 Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.10 Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit.11 And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.”
Related Themes: Selfishness
Psalm 111:10
“10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.”
Related Themes: Wisdom Attitude Discernment Reverence Fear
1 Corinthians 8:6
“6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”
