Putting the Church First

Aim: To emulate Christ through zeal for God's house.

Doctrine: We believers are to make ''The House of The Lord'' our top priority. Doing this sets the rest of our lives in order and it honors and glorifies Christ our Lord.

Exegesis: The comprehensive nature of putting the church first: it affects our wallets (vv. 32-34), our possessions (vv. 35-38), and our hearts (v. 39).

Further application: Why putting the church first blesses everyone in every way: what redeemed churchmen do as a result of their sincere faith in and patterning after Jesus extends Christ's gospel and reign in every place.

Key phrase: v. 39c ''...and we will not neglect the house of our God.''