From the Elder's Pen What Are Priorities? 11/12/00 Past/Future Articles

The following was modified from an article written by Terry D. Casey and published in the September 7 edition of the Jacksonville Church of Christ bulletin.

In a recent divorce settlement (as reported in the San Antonio Express News), the wife listed a breakdown of her projected monthly expenditures as follows:

        Vacation . . . . . . . . $10,446.00                Beauty Parlor . . .$1,440.00
        Clothing . . . . . . . . . .  6,452.00                Miscellaneous . . .  1,407.00
        Restaurants . . . . . . . . 2,600.00                Furnishings . . . . . . 1,255.00
        Gifts . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2,267.00                Pet Care . . . . . . . .  171.00
        Groceries . . . . . . . . . .1,592.00                Church Charities . . .   20.00

Her priorities are very evident, but have we ever stopped to examine our own priorities?  What is first on our list?  Where on the list is God?  Where is Jesus?  Where is the Bible?  Where is the church?

Brethren, the church will grow, families will be strong, relationships will be healthy and wonderful, physical needs will be met, life will be good, when the Father comes first!

Every child of God must continually examine himself or herself to make absolutely certain that his or her life in Jesus takes priority.  "For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?"  (Matt. 16:26).

Self evaluation is an essential tool to living the Christian life.  Let us use it honestly and often.

                                                                                    Bud Butcher, Elder