Exodus 34:14 Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

Imagine you have a child. You work hard to ensure that child has a roof over their head, food, clothes, and shoes. You even pay for and allow your child to participate in extracurricular activities. You spend your time, money, and effort to ensure your child has a bright future. All of a sudden, at the age of 13, your child internally disowns you. They’re unappreciative, they don’t want to spend time with you, and they call someone else mother or father. Wouldn’t you be a little upset? All of the sacrifices you made for that child would seem to be irrelevant.

That’s the same way some of us treat God when we put someone or something before Him. God paid an awesome price for us. God used the currency of Jesus to redeem us back to Himself. He took us back with our flaws and He literally gave us everything. We are healed, blessed, forgiven, and forever loved because of His sacrifice. We belong to God and no one else.

There should be no relationship, no amount of money, or no desire that should come before God. He is a jealous God and He is the only One Who is justified in being jealous.