Seek Ye First

(Lessons from the Widow of Zarephath)
And Elijah said unto her...make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son." For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.1 Kings 17:13-14
What comes first in your life?
Elijah was God's messenger who was speaking God's words. So for the widow to obey his words and bring him some food first, she was obeying God and putting him first. That took faith and obedience.
When she put God first, her needs were taken care of.  Her food supply did not run out, as they would have otherwise.
And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.1 Kings 17:15-16
God had given us a similar command and promise.
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things (food, clothes-basic needs) shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33
If you put God first, He will provide your needs.
Is God first in your life? Is He your top priority? How do you know?
Let's try this test. This covers just four areas of your life.
1) Decisions.
How do you make decisions? Is it based on what will make you happy? Is it based on what others will think of you? Or do you pray about it, ask for God's wisdom and guidance, and base your decision on what He shows You? Are your decisions based on what God thinks and wants?
2)Relationships/Marriage
How do you begin or end relationships? Is it all based on you--what you like, think, feel etc.? Or do you pray about it, for God to show you the right mate in His time? Does the way you act in relationships honor God? Do you ask Him for wisdom?
3) Time
How do you spend your time? Is God in your schedule?
Do you squeeze Him in if you have a space and if you feel like it? Or is your time with Him important--a necessity? Do you pray about what God wants you to do with your time?
4) Career/Job/Future
How do you decide what you will do with your life?Is it all about what you want? Or do you pray and find out what God wants you to do? Are you willing to be whatever God wants you to be?

How do you do on your test? Is God number 1 in your life?
The widow woman was much better off when she put God first. For her it was literally a matter of life and death! You will also be blessed if you will put God first. It is the way you were created to live! Living for yourself only brings emptiness. Living for God brings joy!