What practical steps can we take to prioritize God with our resources? Firstfruits: God’s Claim on the Best “You are to give him the firstfruits of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the first shearing of your sheep.” (Deuteronomy 18:4) The LORD directed Israel to offer the earliest, finest portion of every harvest and every shearing to Him by way of the priests. Firstfruits were not leftovers; they were the first evidence of increase, handed over before anything else was enjoyed. The principle still speaks: God deserves the first and best of every resource He entrusts to us. Recognizing the Source of All Resources • Psalm 24:1: “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof…” • 1 Chronicles 29:14: “Everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand.” When we remember that God owns it all, giving Him first place makes logical and worshipful sense. We are managers, not proprietors. Practical Steps for Prioritizing God with Money • Tithe first, spend second – Proverbs 3:9-10: “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest; then your barns will be filled…” – Use automatic transfers or the first line of every paycheck to direct a set percentage (start with 10 percent; stretch further as faith grows) to your local church or designated storehouse (Malachi 3:10). • Build a generosity-centered budget – List giving as a fixed “need,” not a flexible “want.” – Track discretionary spending so that lifestyle does not squeeze out generosity. • Create a “seed” fund – Keep a small, separate envelope or account ready for Spirit-prompted gifts, benevolence, or missions offerings. • Practice debt-averse living – Romans 13:8 urges us to “owe no one anything except to love one another.” Avoid unnecessary debt so more income remains free for Kingdom purposes. Practical Steps for Prioritizing God with Time and Talents • Calendar firstfruits of time – Schedule daily Scripture reading and prayer in the earliest part of the day (Mark 1:35). – Block weekly time for worship and fellowship (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Serve according to gifting – 1 Peter 4:10: “Each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve others…” – Volunteer in church ministries that match your skills—teaching, hospitality, tech support, music, administration. • Build margin – Leave unscheduled hours each week for interrupted needs—hospital visits, meals for the sick, mentoring a younger believer. • Integrate vocation and calling – View the workplace as a mission field. Honor God through excellence, integrity, and witness (Colossians 3:23-24). Guarding the Heart While Giving • Motive check – 2 Corinthians 9:7: “God loves a cheerful giver.” Give willingly, not under pressure. • Treasure alignment – Matthew 6:19-21: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Regular, prioritized giving pulls the heart heavenward and loosens the grip of materialism. • Trust God’s provision – Philippians 4:19: “My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Faith-filled giving invites us to rely on God rather than on stored assets. Promises Attached to Obedient Generosity • Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you… For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” • Malachi 3:10: When the tithe is brought in, God “opens the windows of heaven.” • 2 Corinthians 9:8: “God is able to make all grace abound to you… so that you will abound in every good work.” The LORD does not promise luxury, yet He pledges sufficiency and spiritual abundance for every obedient giver. Daily Life Applications • First transaction: When income hits your account, let the first outgoing dollars honor God. • Digital discipline: Delete unneeded shopping apps and unsubscribe from marketing emails that feed impulse spending. • Shared stories: Testify to friends or family about God’s faithfulness when you prioritized Him with resources—encouraging mutual accountability. • Review and adjust: Evaluate giving, saving, and spending quarterly. As He increases supply, enlarge the percentage that returns to Him. Living the firstfruits principle transforms wallets, calendars, and abilities into instruments of worship. When God receives the first and finest, He is glorified, our faith deepens, and the world sees a people whose treasure—and satisfaction—is in Him. |
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