Honoring God With Your Money

Honoring God With Our Firstfruits

Proverbs 3:9-10; Psalm 24:1; Malachi 3:8-11; Matthew 23:23; 2 Corinthians 8:1-7; 9:5-12; Proverbs 11:24

Summary

Scripture calls us to honor the Lord with our possessions and the firstfruits of all our increase-not with whatever happens to be left over. Because God owns everything, we are stewards rather than owners, and the tithe is one of the clearest ways we acknowledge that truth. The principle of giving the first tenth predates the law, as seen in Abraham's gift to Melchizedek and Jacob's vow at Bethel, and Jesus Himself affirmed it alongside justice, mercy and faithfulness. Through Malachi, God invites His people to bring the full tithe into the storehouse of the local church and to trust Him to open the windows of heaven. The tithe is an act of worship and obedience that God uses to grow our faith and loosen money's grip on our hearts, while generous offerings flow over and above it.

Takeaways

• God owns everything; we are stewards, not owners, of all He entrusts to us.
• The tithe is a principle that predates the law and was affirmed by Jesus in the New Testament.
• The tithe belongs in the storehouse of the local church, and our offerings flow over and above it.
• God uses our obedience in giving to grow our faith and teach us to trust Him as our Provider.

Application for This Week

This week, take an honest look at how you handle what God has placed in your hands. Ask whether your giving reflects firstfruits or leftovers, and whether fear, comparison or old excuses have kept you from trusting God. Take one concrete step of obedience-whether beginning to tithe, returning to it, or giving over and above it-and watch for the ways God provides and grows your faith as you trust Him.

Devotion 1: Firstfruits, Not Leftovers

Proverbs 3:9-10 (ESV)

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.

Reflection Question

Does your giving reflect the first and best of what God has given you, or what remains after everything else is taken care of?

Prayer Prompt

Ask God to show you where you have given Him leftovers instead of firstfruits. Thank Him for every good gift He has provided, and ask for a heart that honors Him first.

Devotion 2: It All Belongs to Him

Psalm 24:1 (ESV)

The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.

Reflection Question

How would your view of your paycheck, possessions and plans change if you truly saw yourself as a steward rather than an owner?

Prayer Prompt

Acknowledge before God that everything you have belongs to Him. Ask Him to make you a faithful steward of your time, talents and resources this week.

Devotion 3: Test Me in This

Malachi 3:10 (ESV)

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

Reflection Question

What fear or excuse most often keeps you from trusting God with the first tenth of your income?

Prayer Prompt

Confess any distrust or unbelief that has held you back. Ask God for the courage to obey Him and the eyes to recognize the blessings He pours out, whatever form they take.

Devotion 4: Letting Go of the Seed

Proverbs 11:24 (ESV)

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.

Reflection Question

What is God asking you to release into His hands so that He can bring a harvest you could never produce on your own?

Prayer Prompt

Thank God that He is your ultimate Provider. Ask Him to loosen your grip on what you are holding tightly and to grow your faith as you trust Him with every area of your life.