Whatever Is in First Place
By Pastor Chuck Swindoll
If some ministry position is the god of your life, then something terrible occurs within when it is no longer a future possibility. If your ministry, however, is simply a part of God’s plan and you keep it in proper perspective, you can handle an unwanted dismissal just as well as you can handle a promotion.
It all depends on who’s first and what’s first.
Everything Is for Christ
Breaking the magnet that draws things ahead of God is a lengthy and sometimes painful process. But God loves us enough to wrench from our hands everything we love more than Him.
Everything was created through Christ and His power, and furthermore, it was created for His honor. That includes everyday things as well.
- If you have a satisfying position, it’s to be enjoyed for Him.
- If you have a fair salary, it’s to be enjoyed and invested for Him.
- Do you have good health? It is for Him.
- Are you considering more theological training? That, too, is for Him.
- You’re thinking about a career change? It needs to be for Him.
That is true because He’s the ruler of our kingdom. He is Lord.
Where Is Christ in Your Decisions?
Perhaps, in addition to Sunday, you teach a number of times during the week. You want to publish a book, or lead a men’s group, or start a new outreach, plus continue a rigorous counseling schedule.
Does Christ have first place in those decisions?
Have you decided that continuing those ministries is just assumed . . . and other priorities—like family, time with God, and rest—just fit in the cracks? If that describes you, then face it—Christ really isn’t in first place in your ministry. You are. (Hey, I’ve been there.)
Sometimes God is more glorified by what we say no to than by our taking on another ministry. Just remember: Whatever is in first place, if it isn’t Christ alone, it is in the wrong place.
What do you think? What helps you keep Christ first?
Copyright © 2025 by Insight for Living and Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights are reserved worldwide.
About the author
Pastor Chuck Swindoll
Pastor Charles R. Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word. He is the founding pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, but Chuck’s listening audience extends far beyond a local church body. As a leading program in Christian broadcasting since 1979, Insight for Living airs around the world. Chuck’s leadership as president and now chancellor emeritus at Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation of men and women for ministry.
