30 Important bible verses about putting god first (With Explanation)

Today we will talk about bible verses about putting god first. Many Christians do not know what this means. Be on the mode of meditation as we read through God’s word. Putting God first means we choose Him in daily choices, in work, in family, in prayer, and in how we spend time and money. When we place God first, we let His ways shape ours. We stop letting worry, hurry, or what other people think push Him to the side. Instead, we intentionally seek His kingdom and His heart. In the next sections, we will explore different angles of bible verses about putting god first so that we can learn how to love, trust, obey, and serve God with our whole lives. Let us open our hearts together and listen to what God wants to teach us through His Word.

bible verses about putting god first

Key Verse

We begin with a guiding verse that captures the simple call to remember God at the center of everything we do. This verse invites us to reorder our priorities so God’s kingdom leads the way.

Matthew 6:33

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33

Seeking God’s Kingdom First — bible verses about putting god first

When we talk about bible verses about putting god first, we are reminding ourselves that seeking God’s kingdom is not a one-time choice — it’s a daily posture. As a community of faith, we try to notice where our hearts go each morning. Do we chase comfort, worry over tomorrow, or choose to trust God’s purposes? Seeking God first means we look for what pleases Him and let His justice, mercy, and truth shape our decisions. We don’t deny our needs, but we remember that God knows them and calls us to trust Him. Putting God first also means redirecting our energy: instead of letting anxiety set the agenda, we bring our cares to God and prioritize living for His kingdom. This affects how we use our time, whom we listen to, and what we let influence our minds. As we grow, we find that God tends to the things we worry about when we put His kingdom before our own. So in our small choices—how we spend a morning, how we react to stress, how we plan our week—we can practice seeking God. These bible verses about putting god first encourage us to keep our eyes on Jesus and let His priorities frame our lives.

Matthew 6:33

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33

Luke 12:31

“But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” – Luke 12:31

Psalm 27:4

“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” – Psalm 27:4

Isaiah 26:8

“Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.” – Isaiah 26:8

Psalm 63:1

“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” – Psalm 63:1

Loving God Above All — bible verses about putting god first

When we reflect on bible verses about putting god first, one clear theme is love — loving God above everything else. In our daily lives, we may feel pulled by family, work, hobbies, or approval from others. But putting God first means our highest affection and loyalty belong to Him. We want our hearts to be tuned so that loving God shapes how we treat others and how we make choices. This doesn’t mean we stop loving people; instead, our love for God helps us love others more rightly and freely. As a group, we remind one another that loving God is an action: it shows up in obedience, time spent in prayer, listening to Scripture, and following Jesus’ example. Loving God above all reorders every other affection. It helps us see that even when we lose things, we gain clarity about what truly matters. These bible verses about putting god first teach us that devotion to God is steady, even when life gets messy. We can be humble about growth, knowing love for God grows through practice and prayer.

Deuteronomy 6:5

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” – Deuteronomy 6:5

Matthew 22:37

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'” – Matthew 22:37

Mark 12:30

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” – Mark 12:30

1 John 4:19

“We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19

John 14:15

“If you love me, keep my commands.” – John 14:15

Trusting God’s Guidance — bible verses about putting god first

Trust is a big part of bible verses about putting god first. We face choices and doubts, and when we prioritize God, we choose to trust His wisdom. Trusting God doesn’t mean we have all the answers; it means we lean on His promises and ask for His direction. As a community, we practice trusting God by bringing decisions to prayer, listening for His voice in Scripture, and being patient when answers take time. Putting God first in guidance also means we admit when we are confused and seek wise counsel grounded in the Bible. When we trust God, we trade the pressure to control for the peace of being guided by a faithful Father. This doesn’t remove responsibility — we still act — but we act with the confidence that God walks with us. The bible verses about putting god first remind us that God is near to those who seek Him and that He loves to lead our steps. When we trust His guidance, our choices start to reflect God’s heart for justice, mercy, and humility.

Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

Psalm 37:4-5

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this.” – Psalm 37:4-5

Jeremiah 29:13

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13

Isaiah 55:6

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” – Isaiah 55:6

Romans 8:28

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

Making God Our Priority in Decisions — bible verses about putting god first

Choosing to put God first often shows up in decisions big and small. When we say bible verses about putting god first, we mean that our choices reflect our trust in God. This might mean choosing a career that honors God, saying no to something that leads us away from Him, or putting family and church above selfish gain. We don’t pretend that choices are always easy, but we try to make them prayerfully, asking God to guide us. Putting God first also helps us live honestly: we admit when we want our own way, and then we ask for help to turn back to God. In community, we encourage one another to weigh decisions by Scripture and conscience, not just by what is popular or profitable. When we make God a priority, our plans include Him. Our prayer is short and honest: “Lord, help me choose what honors you.” These bible verses about putting god first remind us that God is our rightful guide and that committing plans to Him brings peace and clarity.

Joshua 24:15

“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:15

Proverbs 16:3

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” – Proverbs 16:3

James 4:15

“Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.'” – James 4:15

Matthew 6:24

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” – Matthew 6:24

Colossians 3:17

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17

Worship and Prayer as First Things — bible verses about putting god first

Putting God first means we make time to worship and pray. The phrase bible verses about putting god first points us back to daily habits like coming before God in prayer and lifting our hearts in worship. When we put worship first, we remind ourselves who God is and who we are in relation to Him. Worship shapes our attitudes and helps us see life through God’s eyes. Prayer keeps us connected, honest, and dependent. It’s where we bring joys, fears, and decisions and listen for God’s voice. As a group, we find that regular worship and prayer make it easier to choose God throughout the day. These rhythms help us remember that God is active and loving. Even short prayers—on the bus, before a meal, or while walking—help us keep God at the center. The bible verses about putting god first call us to persistent, humble prayer and joyful worship as foundations for living a God-centered life.

Matthew 6:6

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:6

Psalm 100:2

“Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” – Psalm 100:2

Philippians 4:6

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6

1 Thessalonians 5:17

“Pray continually.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Hebrews 11:6

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6

Obedience and Surrender — bible verses about putting god first

To put God first often requires obedience and a willingness to surrender. The phrase bible verses about putting god first reminds us that faith is active; it shows up when we follow Jesus’ teachings even when it costs us. Obedience does not mean perfection, but it does mean a heart ready to say “Yes” when God asks us to change. Surrender means handing over control — our plans, pride, and preferences — and inviting God to lead. We do this not out of fear but out of trust, knowing God knows best. In community, we encourage each other to admit where we struggle and to seek help in living differently. Putting God first by obedience changes relationships, work, and habits because it shifts our loyalties. These bible verses about putting god first help us remember that surrender leads to freedom, and obedience is a way we show love for God and for others.

Romans 12:1

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship

Further Reading

30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)

30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)

30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)

30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)

4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4