Giving Honor to God

Proverbs 3:9-10 9 Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

When we give, from a spiritual perspective, we give to God as an act of our faith. We release our “possessions” to Him. The church physically receives our tithes and offerings and stewards what we give, but it’s God who receives them on behalf of His Kingdom. Proverbs 3:9 says our giving honors God. Giving is a form of worship. Note it says honor the Lord with the “firstfruits” of all your increase. Some ask, “Is the firstfruits pre or post tax?” If the Federal government taxes us on the “firstfruits” (gross) of all our income, then firstfruits are already defined. If the filling of my barns and vats to overflowing is tied directly to my giving the first fruits of all my increase, I give on my gross income, which is more likely to produce a gross return than giving on my net. God makes this completely doable.

If giving honors God, and the Word calls us to give the firstfruits of all our increase, consider those times when you receive windfalls apart from your paycheck. God’s arm is not short to bless as He considers the level of our faith when we give. I offer this advice to those who do not yet give to God on any consistent basis or feel like they can’t afford to give. Start by testing God with your windfalls. This is income you don’t normally rely on or necessarily expect. When you receive birthday money, graduation money, unexpected gifts, inheritances, work bonuses, etc., consider giving a portion to the Kingdom of God and see what God does. Be purposeful about your giving in faith. Start noticing God’s response to rebuke the devourer, open doors to blessing, create more unexpected windfalls, etc. These acknowledgements will help you as you apply your faith to give more fully.