People First, Things Second

Question From A Friend: I have a question. Several men from facebook have asked when am I coming to see them, a couple offered to send me tickets. None have been my type. For one, my type wouldn't ask. He would come to me. Anyway, I haven't expressed that sort of interest, and I don't catty myself like that online. What gives?

MY RESPONSE: Simple. They want to enjoy your company. Doesn't matter if they're not your type, you never turn down free tickets, especially if they're paying. On to my sermon. I hear many people say People First, Things Second. What does that statement mean to me? To me, that means you value people over posessions, which is how it should be. Posessions will fade away, but people will remain forever, in most cases. Let me speak on People First, Things Second from a relationship standpoint. When two people are getting to know each other, they engage in small talk, along with probing questions. The probing questions are designed to gauge his/her outlook on life, their beginning, and how that has shaped the way they view the world, etc. An established (wo)man seeks a likeminded person, but also wants to be a husband/wife, and eventually have children. When family comes into the picture, a man's priorities change. It's not about going out with the fellas every night, it's about being there for your family so you can provide them with guidance through life's turbulent waters. A man's identity is tied with being a provider. Even the Bible states that a man who doesn't provide for his family is worse than an unbeliever. Many men don't understand that provision isn't necessarily about finances, but providing time, affection, and guidance to those under you. Once you (the man) are gone, your family is left to carry on your legacy. A man can leave a good or bad legacy for his family. A bad legacy involves a man putting his job ahead of his family; he's so focused on trying to move up the ladder, that his family is put on the backburner. The wife gets lonely, and may resort to adultery (which I don't condone, but I see why it happens). The kids wonder why dad's never home, and start doubting his love for them. Over time, the children become accustomed to their father being a workaholic, that they could care less whether he's there or not. A good legacy involves a man being there for his family, even at the expense of his job. He has the choice of missing his daughter's school play or son's football game in lieu of a big work project, that carries major implications: Big promotion with a 30% raise, with an appearance in Who's Who Magazine For Executives. The father puts his children first, even if he may not get that big raise by taking on that project. For him, seeing his children smile is far more important. It boils down to priorities: What a person values, goes into how they conduct their lives.