Is It Vital?

I found this short piece in the December 16, 1973 edition of "Reminders"; a paper published by the Moundsville Church of Christ in Moundsville, WV.  They credit it to "The Voice of West End" in Bowling Green, KY.

In every situation the most basic question is not what must one do but what must one do first. The first requisite of successful living is to know what is most vital. We should ask of each possible action not merely, "Is it right?" but "Is it worthwhile?" A thing may not be wrong in itself but if it consumes time which could be spent for something better, it becomes wrong.

When we are confronted with Christ's teaching, we hear Him calling us back to the central issues of life. When we are busy accumulating possessions, He makes us ask ourselves what they are really worth. When we are going somewhere quickly and often, He makes us ask ourselves, "Where am I going?" We may try to escape His words by busying ourselves with all sorts of activities, many of them worthwhile, but His voice still follows us with the penetrating question, "What is your main job?"

Is our busy activity really worthwhile? Is it vital? What should we first do? Jesus' answer is forever the same. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness." (Matthew 6:33)