Things that seem important to people, but not necessarily to God:
- Appearance. We are convinced that the way we look is the most important thing. We work on our face (cosmetics, injections, surgery, tanning), our hair (color, curl and cut), our figure (Bowflex, Curves, SlimFast) and our clothes. The way we look is important to people, but not to God. cf. God looks at the heart... 1 Samuel 16.7
- Acheivements. We think that everyone will be impressed by what we do and the awards we receive. We work hard for high GPAs and SATs, but a few months after graduation no one remembers or cares. Our diplomas and degrees gather dust on a wall or in a scrap book. Our awards are memories that have little bearing on who we are, or even what we have accomplished. cf. Righteousness like filthy rags... Isaiah 64.6
- Accumulations. Here is the big one. We want to have as much stuff as we can get. And no matter how much stuff, or how much money, it is never enough. We always need more. We fill our homes and lives with unimportant junk that distract us from the importance of relationship with God. cf. Blessed are the poor... Matthew 5.3
To summarize what God requires, we need look no further than Jesus words in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 6.33 he says, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God..." When we adopt God's priorities as our own all those other things will fall into line for us.
