Give The Best ( Proverbs 3:9 )

Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase

Proverbs 3:9

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Give God your best and He will bless you. First and foremost you must learn that what you have is because of Him. When we put in perspective that giving Him this is such a small offering/sacrifice compared to the one He made by sending His son to die for our sins. In fact if anything it might even encourage us to want to give more, but only give out of cheerfully giving and not because you have to. For the Lord loves a cheerful giver( 2 Corinthians 9:7 ). Our firstfruits include the first of anything. Another words when you get paid, you should go ahead and take off the amount for God. How much that is between you and God. Like I stated earlier, God desires a cheerful giver. He is not keeping a tally on how much you putting in the offering plate. Trust me you can't buy your way into heaven or past judgment( Proverbs 11:4, Acts 8:20-22) .

It's not easy giving up the best and the first of what you have, but considering what He gave for you does He deserve any less? You know thinking of this verse makes me think of the first commandment( Exodus 20:3 ). Think about it, if we don't give up our firstfruits to Him thinking we need them are we not in a sense practicing a form of idolatry. Honor Him in all you do from giving your firstfruits to how you speak and how you act. Be a living testimony to your family and those you interact with. I love what the apostle Paul wrote in the book of Colossians do all things heartily to the Lord( Colossians 3:23 ). I believe this sums it up well, do all things, whether its working at your job, giving your firstfruits, or taking your dog for a walk do all heartily for the Lord for He is worthy of all our praise.

Brothers and sister I send encouragement as this year moves forward. I know it seems dark with the economic downturn. Sure the media and the world has nothing,but one bad news after another whether its the dow jones, unemployment, or just the economy in general. I instead encourage you to read in the Word where the Psalmist says I was young and now am old and never were the righteous forsaken nor begging bread( Psalm 37:25 ). Does this mean we won't have to endure trails? No, but it does mean we do God will be with us every step of the way. He will provide our every needs. We just need to lean on Him ( Proverbs 3:5-6 ). Don't lose hope, just hold fast and hold on to Him.

For anyone reading this tonight who has not accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and personal Savior I invite you to do so. Ask Him into your heart and admit your a sinner in need of His forgiveness. Be real with Him and cast all your worries, doubts, and fears at His feet, the feet of mercy for He cares for you( 1 Peter 5:7 ). Repent of your ways, your sins and find your identity in Jesus Christ( 2 Corinthians 5:17 ). Don't let your past or not being perfect get in the way( Psalm 103:12, Romans 3:23 ). Instead cast yourself upon His mercy( Luke 18:13 ). Remember He is waiting on you with arms wide open( John 3:16 ). In those arms you will find love( John 15:13 ), mercy( Romans 5:6-8 ), forgiveness( 1 John 1:9 ), and a grace that is sufficient( 2 Corinthians 12:9 ). Will you choose Him ? Will you let Him set you free from the bonds of sin( John 8:36 )? I encourage you to do so. This is the single greatest choice you will ever make. It is a matter of life and death, life and death eternal( John 3:18 ). Don't wait, make the choice tonight( Matthew 24:36 )!


God bless,
John W. Whybrew III <><