Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
New International Version (NIV)
Something on the internet caught my eye: “Who was the wealthiest person in history?” Quickly the writer dismissed the current claimants to the crown. Not Bill Gates or Warren Buffet. When we compare ancient wealth with current wealth, we might get lost in the decimals. Scripture says Solomon wins the prize. When Gates or Buffet says something about wealth, Wall Street listens. Perhaps we should listen to Solomon.
Solomon saw wealth as a way to honor the Lord. Malachi complained about his people giving God their leftovers. Solomon reminds us to start with God. We give him the first fruits of everything he has given to us. Giving to God is therefore not an afterthought. We make a living by what we earn. We make a life by what we give away!
When we give to God first, what happens to us? Television ministries have made us leery of those who make promises to those who give to God. We have heard people misuse the scripture to promise prosperity. This sometimes leaves us speechless on the subject. Solomon knew. His barns overflowed and his vats brimmed over with new wine. Giving to God is not a way to manipulate him to make you wealthy. On the other hand, God honors those who honor him. We may be assured that when we give to God gratefully, willingly, proportionately and regularly that he will meet all of our needs, physical, spiritual, temporal and eternal. Surely that is enough for us? It is! Even richer than Solomon is God who gives us all things richly to enjoy.
Pray with me:
Father, thank you for your promise to meet all of our needs according to your glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Help us to believe this truth and to live by giving to you and others today. We trust you to provide for us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
I want to invite you to join me in memorizing 52 passages this year from the 2017 set of Fighter Verses. You can find the Fighter Verses App at the App Store on your phones or via this link http://fighterverses.com/the-verses/fighter-verses/. As we study the Bible this year, let's look at each text and learn what it says about God.
Joyfully,
Duane
Copyright 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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