The Law of Priorities: Solomon Gets it All

2 Chronicles 1 v3-12

Every leader must establish a list of priorities, then learn to put things first. Second Chronicles begins
with a lesson in priorities.

When Solomon became king of Israel, he was given the opportunity to ask God for anything. Instead of
requesting riches or fame, he asked for wisdom to lead his people well. Good answer! God responded by
rewarding him not only with the thing he asked for, but also with all t5he benefits he didn’t request.

The incident illustrates how effective prioritizing often works. When you put first things first, you
frequently gain the time for nonessentials. Solomon narrowed his wedge, and got it all. No doubt, king
Solomon faced the same options we have today:

1. Easy Things First: He could’ve chosen to focus on the easy things ahead of him.
2. Fun Things First: He could’ve chosen to focus on riches or fame.
3. Urgent Things First: He could’ve asked for help in building the temple.
4. Hard Things First: He could’ve sought favor with those who didn’t like him.
5. First Things First: Instead, he chose to seek wisdom so he could glorify God.

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The Law of Priorities: When Activity Becomes Achievement

Psalm 49 v12- 17

God encourages us to fix our eyes on things that endure. In light of eternity, leaders cannot become
consumed with the temporary. Leaders cannot allow the pursuit of wealth or power to move them (Ps.
49 v12,13). Only a vision that outlives them, a vision connected to eternity, will fulfill a godly leader.

In other words, we must build a legacy. What are we going to leave behind when we die? Psalm 49 v17
reminds us that we will take nothing with us, no matter how rich we become. So what will we leave
behind that counts?

A huge difference exists between a legacy and an inheritance. Anyone can leave an inheritance. An
inheritance is something you leave to your family or loved ones, and it also fades. A legacy is something
you leave in your family and loved ones. Consider the differences between the two:

Inheritance

1. Something tangible you give to others

2. Temporarily brings them happiness
3. Eventually fades as it is spent
4. Your activity may or may not pay off
Legacy

1. Something tangible you place in others

2. Permanently transforms them
3. Live son long after you die
4. Your activity becomes achievement

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The Law of Priorities and the Law of Sacrifice: Things Don’t Make a Leader

Ecclesiastes 2 v1-26

Solomon attempted to find satisfaction in accumulating things: houses, gardens, vineyards, flocks,
slaves, etc. He found all of it empty.

Many leaders succumb to the same temptation. They begin well, but once they reach their first level of
goals- if they don’t continue to stretch- they shrink. Their shrinking often takes the form of
accumulating. Their success gains them a nice discretionary income. So they spend and gain. Spend and
gain. Spend and gain. But none of this fills the void inside.

All leaders have two major voids:

1. The God-sized vacuum inside their heart; only the Lord can fill it.
2. The life-0sized vacuum inside their heart; only their life mission can fulfill it.

To reach these goals, leaders must give up the pursuit of lesser things. C. S. Lewis wrote, “indeed, if we
consider the unblushing promise of reward…promises in the Gospel, it would seem that our Lord finds
or desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are halfhearted creatures, fooling about whit drink and sex
and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies
in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by an offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too
easily pleased.”

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Priorities: Leaders Must Know What’s Really Valuable

Jeremiah 9 v23, 24

What is our ultimate priority? What should we pursue more than anything else? What is worth boasting
about? Some business leaders would answer, ”wealth and investments”. Some educational or political
leaders would reply, ”Intelligence and strategy”. Some athletic or sports leaders might respond,
”Strength and speed”.
But Jeremiah warns us against boasting about any of these. These are valuable resources, but not
ultimate priorities. The only thing worth boasting about is a vital relationship with God. The others are
merely to an end.

Leaders must recognize the difference between these two:

The Ultimate

1. God is the source.

2. He provides a life.
3. Spiritual things are the end.

The Immediate

1. The others are a resource.

2. These provide a living.
3. Material things are a means to the end.

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The Law of Priorities: Jesus Didn't Let Others Dictate His Agenda

Mark 1 v32-38

Jesus often left the demands of His work to come apart and pray. He used this solitude to regain
perspective and once more see the big picture. Watch the sequence of events detailed in this passage:

1. The pressure is on. The day is over, but the crowds have just begun to make demands (vv. 32-
34).
2. The paradox is obvious. Jesus left in the middle of ministry time, with needs unmet (v. 35).
3. The point is clear. Jesus had to pause, leave the people, and replenish His own life (v. 35).
4. The people are demanding. Followers hunted for Jesus, reminding Him how much they needed
Him. (vv. 36, 37).
5. The purpose is declared. His Father renewed His perspective and given direction (v. 38).

Jesus' priorities came from His heavenly Father, not from people. He always used the priorities He
established to serve the people. So, how do you determine your own daily priorities?