Keep Your Priorities in Order

Note from today’s Bible reading: Matthew 22

Jesus told a parable in which He used a wedding feast to describe the kingdom (Matthew 22:1-14). In the parable, the king sent out his slaves to find those who had been invited and let them know that the feast was prepared.

However, those who received the invitation “paid no attention” (Matthew 22:5). It should have been regarded as an honor and a privilege to attend the king’s wedding feast for his son. Why did the ones invited not pay attention? Jesus explained that they “went their way, one to his own farm, another to his business” (Matthew 22:5). In other words, they believed they had more important things to do.

Again, this parable is about the kingdom. Jesus’ point was that too often we are tempted to think that we have “more important things to do” than to faithfully serve Him in His kingdom. This parable shows the Lord's displeasure with those who would choose the things of this life over His kingdom.

Of course, the “farm” and the “business” were important. We must not neglect our responsibilities in this life. Yet we cannot allow them to take precedence over spiritual things. In the end, our work is temporary; yet the Lord’s kingdom will never be destroyed (cf. Daniel 2:44).

So keep your priorities in order. Let us not allow the things of this life distract us from the privileges and blessings that come from serving the Lord in His kingdom. Instead, let us answer the Lord’s invitation.