June 30, 2006

 

Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.  --Proverbs 3:9-10

 

In the verses above, we see the Scriptural principle of putting first things first.

 

We’re to give the first day of the week to the Lord. We’re to give the first part of our day to Him. And we’re to give the firstfruits of our labor—a tithe—to Him.

 

This is the principle that’s clear in Scripture: We’re to give God off the top of what we’ve been given and what we have earned. Why? To honor Him! The reason we give generously and live generously is to honor God. This should be the primary motive in all that we do as followers of Christ.

 

I would advise you and strongly urge you—if you want God to be in the middle of your financial picture, begin tithing 10% in obedience to Him.

 

Now, I realize you may be having a hard time financially right now. Perhaps you’re between jobs or you’re really struggling with debt or other financial problems in your life.

 

If so, I want to challenge you today to begin obeying God, putting Him first in every area of your life. This includes earning your money honestly, managing your money wisely, and giving your money generously. Then, trust Him for the rest!

 

Be patient… persevere… and know that at the right time, in the right place, God will bless you in the right way because He knows He can trust you with what He gives you!

 

THE REASON WE GIVE GENEROUSLY AND LIVE GENEROUSLY IS TO HONOR GOD.