How can honoring God with wealth impact our relationship with Him and others? Honoring God with Wealth: Proverbs 3:9 “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest;” What Honoring God Says About Our Walk With Him • Ownership acknowledged – “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24:1). • Priority established – firstfruits mean He gets the first cut, not the leftovers. • Faith exercised – giving before we see the rest of the ledger trusts Him to provide (Malachi 3:10). • Worship expressed – money becomes an altar where gratitude and obedience meet. How It Deepens Our Relationship With God • Builds trust: releasing resources loosens our grip and tightens our reliance (Matthew 6:31-33). • Aligns the heart: “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). • Invites provision: “your barns will be filled with plenty” (Proverbs 3:10). • Guards against idolatry: we serve God, not Mammon (Matthew 6:24). • Trains us in cheerful giving—“God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). How It Blesses Our Relationship With Others • Sparks generosity: “A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25). • Meets real needs: sharing “is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). • Strengthens fellowship: early believers had “no needy among them” because giving knit hearts together (Acts 4:32-35). • Serves as testimony: open-handed living lets others “see your good works and glorify your Father” (Matthew 5:16). • Cultivates contentment: giving loosens envy and breeds joy for others’ blessing (1 Timothy 6:6-8). Promises Tied to Obedience • Overflowing provision – Proverbs 3:10; Malachi 3:10. • Spiritual enrichment – “you will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way” (2 Corinthians 9:11). • Eternal reward – laying up “a firm foundation for the coming age” (1 Timothy 6:19). Practical Ways to Honor God With Wealth Today • Tithe or set a regular percentage first, not last. • Budget generosity—schedule giving like a bill you joyfully “owe” the Lord. • Give spontaneously when the Spirit nudges—Luke 6:38. • Support gospel work and the needy; both matter to Him. • Review spending habits; redirect what doesn’t glorify God toward kingdom purposes. • Teach your household—model firstfruits living so the next generation learns trust early. Honoring God with wealth isn’t about losing money; it’s about gaining deeper fellowship with Him and richer connections with people. Every dollar surrendered becomes a seed that grows faith, love, and eternal fruit. |