In what ways can we prioritize God in our financial decisions today? God’s Portion Comes First “From the first of your ground meal you are to give to the LORD an offering throughout the generations to come.” (Numbers 15:21) Firstfruits in Everyday Finances • Treat every paycheck as “ground meal,” recognizing the Lord’s claim on the first portion, not the leftovers. • Transfer or set aside your tithe before any other bill is paid (Proverbs 3:9-10). • Give promptly and consistently so that generosity becomes habit rather than occasional impulse (1 Corinthians 16:2). Practical Ways to Prioritize God 1. Build a God-first budget – Line one: giving (Malachi 3:10). – Line two: essentials. – Line three: savings and discretionary spending. 2. Pray before major purchases – James 1:5 reminds us to seek His wisdom; wait until peace replaces impulse. 3. Guard against crippling debt – “The borrower is slave to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7). Less debt means more freedom to serve and give. 4. Plan generosity beyond the tithe – Allocate a “blessing fund” for missions, benevolence, and spur-of-the-moment needs (2 Corinthians 9:7-8). 5. Live simply, give richly – Contentment (1 Timothy 6:6-8) frees resources for kingdom work. 6. Teach the next generation – Model firstfruits giving so that honoring God with money becomes a family legacy (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). 7. Review and adjust quarterly – Invite accountability; ask someone you trust to look over your giving and spending patterns (Proverbs 27:17). Heart Check: Money as Worship • Giving is not payment for blessings; it is worship acknowledging that everything already belongs to God (Psalm 24:1). • Faithfulness with small amounts prepares us for greater stewardship (Luke 16:10). Watch Him Provide • God promises sufficiency, not scarcity, to those who honor Him first (Philippians 4:19). • Expect barns filled and vats overflowing—not always in cash, but in needs met and lives changed (Proverbs 3:10). Put Him first on the budget page, and He’ll be first in the heart. |
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