Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.

“But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Luke 12:22-24, 27-32, NKJV

There's a story told about a time efficiency expert who was making a presentation before the employees of a large business. He took out a large glass jar and placed as many rocks in it as he could. He then asked his audience if the jar was full, and they all agreed that it was. He then proceeded to take a small sack of gravel and pour it in, followed by a smaller sack of sand, and finally a pitcher of water, pouring it in until the jar overflowed.

He then asked his now enlightened audience if the jar was now, really full. They acknowledged that it was. Then he hit them with the question, "What lesson can we learn from this illustration?" One man responded that the obvious answer was that no matter how full our schedule, we can always fit in more. To the rest of the group's surprise, the speaker informed them that the man was wrong, that he has missed the point entirely.

So, what was the point? It was simply this: If you want the big rocks in, you will have to put them in first!

Isn't this what Jesus was trying to get across to us when He used this illustration nearly 2,000 years ago? It is true that we have to eat, and dress, and have someplace to live - Jesus denied none of these obvious facts. But He did show, once and for all, that we have to put first things first! If we are always looking to take care of the physical, will we really have enough time to take care of the most important?

Or... will we just make a mess of things by trying to take care of the spiritual after our lives are already overflowing with the physical things that we all must have, but which our Heavenly Father has already ensured that we will obtain if we will only put Him first?

Better determine what the big rocks are and put them in first!