Prioritizing
There is a man I know who is a workaholic, and it's bad. There have been times that someone has had to force him to eat because he was so stressed from work that he wouldn't take the time to take care of himself.
This mentality has gotten him very far in business. However, the other aspects of his life are lacking. His family feels like they are stuck playing second fiddle to his job. His health has suffered. All of his friendships are work-related. He has stretched himself thin in every regard.
He claims to be "providing for his family", but the fact is that there are millions of men who are providing for their families 8 hours a day, 40 hours per week.
Now, I'm not saying that work ethic isn't important, and I'm not saying that you shouldn't strive for more.
However, when "striving for more" impacts your focus on your health and relationships, it's time to re-evaluate your priorities.
Fortunately, as with everything, the Bible provides wisdom on how to prioritize your life so that you have enough for every aspect of your life.
The following items are listed in this specific order in the Bible. I believe that this order is intentional, as this is how God intended us to order our affairs.
1. God
Your first priority should always be God. Spouses who love God more than they love each other will always succeed. Families who put God first will be the most functional. God intended for us to worship and glorify Him in all that we do.
Matthew 6:33 - "But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
2. Mate
Your spouse comes next. There should be a perfect triangle, where each spouse serves God first and makes Him a priority, and then serves each other right after. Notice that the spouse comes before the rest of the family.
Colossians 3:18-19 - "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them."
See Also: Ephesians 5:21-33
3. Family
Families are literally the gift of God. You didn't choose them, as you did your spouse. They were just given to you. Your children, parents, cousins, in-laws, whoever you might be dealing with... God put them in your life for a reason. Take care of them.
Colossians 3: 20-21 - "Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged."
See Also: Ephesians 6:1-4
4. Work
Notice that this is relatively low on the list of priorities. This is because God knows what often escapes us: It's just a job. They're just bills. So often we get caught up in the rat race, that we forget that He will provide our needs.
God still lists work as a priority because, while he wants you to put Him and your family first, work is still important. Hard work makes soft men strong. It is still our job, as men, to provide for those in our house. Work is necessary... but don't ever forget what comes first.
Colossians 3: 22-23 - "Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men"
See Also: Ephesians 6:5-9
5. Ministry
Ministry is the last because if you don't have enough energy for the things before, how are you going to have energy to win hearts for God? if your house isn't in order, people will look down on you and your testimony will be weakened.
Ephesians 6:10 - "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might."
When you think about these priorities, do not think about them as linear, like a to-do list. These aren't things that you can check off as they get done.
Instead, think about a waterfall fountain at the mall. God supplies the water at the top of the fountain. The water then washes over your spouse, onto your family, before falling onto your work and ministry.
The same amount of water at the top of the fountain ends up at the bottom, before being pumped right back up to the top. Similarly, the same amount of energy that you give to God should be dedicated to all of the resulting priorities. However, remember the order that the water flows through the fountain. If the water fell onto work before the family, then your family would be lucky to get a little bit of mist that splashes back up onto them, but they don't get the full experience.
Give each priority the same amount of water, and your house will fall in order.