There are certain things in a Christian's life which deserve preferential rating. What are they?
 
There are certain things in a believer's life that are "better than" others. Do you know what they are?
The Scriptures delineate them for us.
Let's study them carefully and allow them to evaluate exactly where our priorities are at this point.
 
Better To Be A Servant Than Ambitious
 
Luke 22:26 - "But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve."
 
Are you humble and unambitious?
Or are you one who seeks after titles, power, offices, pomp, and glory?
How low are you willing to stoop in toilsome service for the good of your fellow man?
 
Better To Be Free From the Concerns Of Life
 
1 Corinthians 7:32-33 - "But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife."
 
Is your mind swallowed up in the cares of this life?
Are you distracted from the worship of God by worldly concerns?
Are your affections alienated from Him due to family necessities?
 
Is there someone in your family who is constantly demanding all of your time and consequently, drawing your affections away from the Lord?
As a spouse, have you caused your partner - to become lax in his or her spiritual course of life...to modify godly standards to accommodate your frivolous, lustful, or licentious ways?
 
Better To Be Godly And Have Little
 
Psalm 37:16 - "A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked."
Proverbs 16:8 - "Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right."
 
How do you feel about this?
Do you agree that it is better to be poor and honest than to be rich and ungodly?
 
How did you accumulate your wealth?
Was it gotten through fraud or oppression or through hard labor?
 
Which is more important to you - righteousness or worldly "riches"?
What do you seek after?
 
Better To Lose One Body Part Than Go To Hell
 
Matthew 5:29-30 - "And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."
 
How do you handle unsubdued and vicious propensities...unlawful desires...wicked inclinations...sinful appetites...strong adulterous passions?
Are you willing to separate yourself completely from any earthly object or person who is dear to you.. from any darling idol which seems to have captured your heart, knowing that having them will cause you to sin?
Just how far will you go in order to deprive yourself of that "stumbling block"?
 
Better To Store Heavenly Treasures Than Earthly
 
Matthew 6:19-20 - "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal."
 
Are you guilty of making earthly and temporal things your "best" things?
Are you worldly minded in that you covet the wealth of this world and choose it for your reward, treasure, security, goal, and master?
 
Do you have money or does money have you?
How willing are you to invest your riches into the work of the Gospel in order to have "treasures in heaven"?
 
Are you convinced that God has blessed you so that you may be a blessing?
 
Better To Be Frank Than To Flatter
 
Proverbs 28:23 - "He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue."
Proverbs 27:5 - "Open rebuke is better than secret love."
 
Which comes easier for you - speaking words of flattery or honest words of reproof?
 
Which kind of friend are you - one who loves another enough to tell him of his faults or one who always speaks vain or deceitful flatteries because you are afraid to offend?
 
Would you much rather be rebuked, reproved, or told of your faults by another or to have them keep quiet and think ill of you because of them?
 
Better To Have A Good Reputation Than Great Riches
 
Proverbs 22:1 - "A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold."
 
Which is more valuable to you - having a "GOOD name" or raising a great estate?
Which do you covet more - riches or to be well spoken of?
 
Better To Find Wisdom Than Precious Jewels
 
Proverbs 20:15 - "There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel."
 
How important is it in your estimation to acquire "lips of knowledge" - to have a good understanding of things so that you are capable of dispersing valuable knowledge unto others wherever you go?
 
Which is more precious - having the wealth of this world or wise speech?
Which do you spend most of your time pursuing?
 
If given a choice, which would you select - wealth or wisdom?
 
Better To Receive The Wounds Of A Friend Than The Kisses Of An Enemy
 
Proverbs 27:6 - "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."
 
What kind of friends have you surrounded yourself with?
Do they tell you of your faults...reprove you for what you say and do amiss?
Are they such companions who will not allow you to continue in your sinful ways without giving you a sharp rebuke in hopes that you will come to your senses?
Or are they those who compliment you in your sinful ways?
 
Which do you prefer - "the wounds of a friend" or "the kisses of an enemy"?
When was the last time a "friend" wounded you with the Truth...an "enemy" deceived you with a "kiss"?
 
Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice
 
1 Samuel 15:22 - "And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams."
 
Some people will sacrifice much - rather than obey God.
They will part with many precious items in their lives except for the one on which God has His finger.
 
Are you like that?
Do you try to bargain with the Lord in order to get your own way?
 
How important is obedience to His Holy Word in your estimation?
How much do you think He hates disobedience?
 
Will you go to Hell for living a lifestyle of rebellion?
What does the Bible say?
 
Living For Christ Is Better Than Living For Self
 
Philippians 1:21 - "For to me to live is Christ..."
 
What is your sole aim...supreme end...single purpose...in life?
Is it to glorify Christ or Self?
 
With singlemindedness and great fervor, which do you devote yourself in pursuing after - honor, wealth, and pleasure or the advancement of God's name and kingdom in this earth?
 
Is your motto - "Money come" or "Thy Kingdom come"(Matthew 6:10)?
 
Better To Love Jesus Above Any Close Relative
 
Matthew 10:37 - "He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me."
 
Who do you love more - Jesus or your parents, children, spouse, etc.?
Whose will and interests are you more willing to prefer in all cases - those of a family member or Jesus?
 
Are you willing to obey Him even when His will conflicts with that of a family member's?
Do you love Him supremely?

Remember this - Your priorities "tell the story" about you.

May God Bless His Word.
Connie