26 If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his [own] father and mother [in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God] and [likewise] his wife and children and brothers and sisters—[yes] and even his own life also—he cannot be My disciple.
27 Whoever does not persevere and carry his own cross and come after (follow) Me cannot be My disciple.
Luke 14:26-27 AMPC

Priorities
This Scripture from Jesus is a tough one, but He said it. What Jesus means here is that our love, focus, and drive needs to be directed towards the things of God. When Jesus says, "Hate," He means loveless than God. We are supposed to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. We are supposed to love and serve God first.
Today, some people will teach that we are to put our family first. Nowhere, does Jesus say or mention that we need to put or take care of our family first. The words of Jesus are completely contrarty to this statement. Let's look at some Scripture.
59 And He said to another, Become My disciple, side with My party, and accompany Me! But he replied, Lord, permit me first to go and bury (await the death of) my father.
60 But Jesus said to him, Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and publish abroad throughout all regions the kingdom of God.
61 Another also said, I will follow You, Lord, and become Your disciple and side with Your party; but let me first say good-bye to those at my home.
62 Jesus said to him, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back [to the things behind] is fit for the kingdom of God.
Luke 9:59-62 AMPC
When Jesus calls a man to become His disciple, the man asks Jesus to FIRST allow him to wait to take care of the burial of his Father. This responsibility was considered honorable and this was the duty of the son to bury the dad. Jesus told him, "Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, GO AND PREACH THE KINGDOM OF GOD."
Another man says, "let me FIRST say good-bye to those at my home." Jesus responds by saying, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God."
WOW! Jesus' response would be considered disrespectful and dishonorable. They asked to FIRST take care of family and Jesus' response was directing them towards taking care of the Kingdom of God FIRST!
29 And anyone and everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for My name’s sake will receive many [even a hundred] times more and will inherit eternal life.
Matthew 19:29 AMPC
Jesus said this after speaking with the rich young ruler and commanding him to sell all his possessions to follow Him. The rich young ruler could not do it because he loved his possessions more than he loved God.
Where did people get the teaching that we should put our family first?
8 If anyone fails to provide for his relatives, and especially for those of his own family, he has disowned the faith [by failing to accompany it with fruits] and is worse than an unbeliever [who performs his obligation in these matters].
1 Timothy 5:8 AMPC
People have used this Scripture to justify putting our family first. Paul is addressing LAZINESS & NEGLECT.
Laziness is unwilling to work and neglect is disregarding something. We should work to take care of the basic needs of family and to help others as well. If God calls us to move or go to a city to preach the Gospel, we need to be obedient and DO IT! Doing work for the Kingdom of God is not laziness or neglect. Many people today value earthly work more than Kingdom work. What does Jesus say?
27 Stop toiling and doing and producing for the food that perishes and decomposes [in the using], but strive and work and produce rather for the [lasting] food which endures [continually] unto life eternal; the Son of Man will give (furnish) you that, for God the Father has authorized and certified Him and put His seal of endorsement upon Him.
John 6:27 AMPC
Paul goes on to say in the next chapter that we should be CONTENT with food, clothing, and shelter.
7 For we brought nothing into the world, and obviously we cannot take anything out of the world;
8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content (satisfied).
1 Timothy 6:7-8 AMPC
Let us remember that we are to put God first and His Kingdom regardless of how tough the situation gets, we MUST remain FAITHFUL!
31 Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear?
32 For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all.
33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.
Matthew 6:31-33 AMPC
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