“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

– Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

Over the past several weeks, we’ve explored various aspects of living a joyful and fulfilling life, grounded in the teachings of the Bible. We’ve learned about the joy of giving, the power of small acts of kindness, the importance of a positive mindset, and the practices of rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks. Each of these devotionals has been aimed at helping us cultivate a life that reflects the love, peace, and joy of Christ.

As we bring this series to a close, it’s essential to remember that all of these practices, as important as they are, must be rooted in one central truth: keeping God first in every aspect of our lives. Without this foundation, even the best intentions can fall short. It’s when we seek God’s kingdom first, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:33, that everything else falls into place.

God as the CEO of Our Lives and Businesses

In my own life, this truth has been the cornerstone of everything I do, especially in how I approach the businesses and nonprofits I run. My wife and I made a decision early on that we would make God the CEO of our businesses. We knew that without Him at the center, all our efforts would be in vain. This wasn’t just a symbolic gesture; it was a daily commitment to seek His guidance, trust in His provision, and share the joy of every success with Him.

Running multiple businesses comes with its share of challenges—decisions to make, people to manage, and unforeseen obstacles to overcome. But through it all, we’ve made it a priority to put God first, to seek His wisdom in every decision, and to give Him credit for every success. We’ve learned that when we keep God at the helm, He provides clarity in confusion, peace in chaos, and blessings beyond what we could have imagined.

There was a time when one of our businesses faced significant challenges. It would have been easy to get caught up in the stress and to try and fix everything ourselves. But instead, we chose to pause, pray, and ask God for direction. We reminded ourselves that this business wasn’t ours to begin with—it belonged to God. By surrendering it to Him and seeking His will above all else, we found that He led us to solutions we never would have considered on our own. The situation didn’t just turn around; it became a testimony of God’s faithfulness and His hand at work in our lives.

But keeping God first isn’t just about seeking His help in tough times. It’s also about recognizing His blessings in the good times and sharing the joy of every victory with Him. Whether it’s a successful project, a new partnership, or a milestone achieved, we make it a point to thank God for His provision and to acknowledge that every good thing comes from Him.

Teaching Our Children to Keep God First

This principle of keeping God first is something we’ve also instilled in our children. We’ve been blessed to give our kids a life filled with travel, new experiences, and countless memories. But these blessings didn’t come from a place of abundance; they came from a place of gratitude and trust in God’s provision. We didn’t always have a lot of money, but we always had enough because we trusted God to provide.

On every trip, no matter how big or small, we made it a point to thank God for the opportunity. We taught our kids to be thankful for the little things—the safe travels, the roof over our heads, the food in our cooler. By keeping God first and recognizing His hand in every aspect of our lives, we were able to experience joy in the simplest of moments, and we passed that joy on to our children.

A Recap of Our Journey

1. The Joy of Giving: We learned that true happiness comes from giving, not from what we receive. When we give cheerfully, we reflect God’s generosity and experience His joy in our own hearts.
2. Encouraging Generosity: We discovered that small acts of kindness can have a big impact. By sharing what we have, we not only bless others but also create a ripple effect of positivity and joy.
3. The Power of Kindness: We saw how even the smallest acts of kindness can change lives. When we give out of our own scarcity, like the widow’s offering, we demonstrate the heart of God and experience the true meaning of generosity.
4. Encouraging Joy in Daily Life: We focused on finding beauty in the ordinary and choosing to rejoice in the little things. By practicing gratitude and living in the moment, we cultivate a life filled with joy.
5. The Science of Happiness: We explored the connection between positive thinking and spiritual well-being. By focusing on what is true, honorable, and praiseworthy, we align our minds with God’s truth and experience lasting joy.
6. Cultivating Joy Through Practices: We learned about the importance of rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, and giving thanks in all circumstances. These practices are the building blocks of a joyful life.
7. Keeping God First: We’ve come to understand that all of these practices are only possible when we keep God first. By seeking His kingdom above all else, we find that everything else falls into place.

Moving Forward

As we move forward, let’s commit to making God the foundation of our lives. Whether it’s in our personal lives, our families, or our businesses, let’s keep Him as the CEO, trusting that when we put Him first, He will guide us, provide for us, and fill our lives with His peace, joy, and love.