The real bottom line

Every leader I know tracks numbers. Revenue. Attendance. Headcount. Growth.

There’s nothing wrong with that. Data matters. But here’s a question worth asking every day: What am I really optimizing for?

It’s easy, almost imperceptible, how the urgent crowds out the eternal. A full calendar. A tough quarter. A difficult personnel decision. Suddenly, the kingdom feels abstract, and the movement of business feels very real.

But Jesus doesn’t leave us guessing about priorities: “[S]eek first his kingdom and his righteousness…” Not second. Not when things settle down. First.

A.W. Tozer put it plainly: “We are called to an everlasting preoccupation with God.”

Not an occasional preoccupation. Everlasting.

Here’s a simple question to carry into your week: In the decisions you’re facing right now, are you seeking his kingdom first or your bottom line first?

“[S]eek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” 

Matthew 6:33, NIV

Seeking first,