Honor The Lord

Honor the LORD with your wealth,with the firstfruits of all your crops;then your barns will be filled to overflowing.

Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV)

This is both a challenge and a wonderful invitation. The first part of this formula for blessing is “honor the Lord.” Let me tell you: every single thing that we do for the Lord needs to start there, or else it’s just meaningless performance of duty.

To honor the Lord is to always remember God is more than worthy of honor. He is the King of majesty. He is God almighty. He is the God of comfort and love. The Lord is honorable. It is our great privilege that he would allow us to bring him anything. After all, he is the giver of all things that we have to give. Never forget that.

And so when you write out a check to give, be joyful, because the Lord loves a cheerful giver. But more than your money or your things, may I ask you to give the Lord of glory the firstfruits of yourself. Give him your first hour in the morning, meeting with him, letting him lay out your priorities for the day. Honor him with the way you keep your commitments, with the way you treat people, with the way you serve, with the way you work at your job. If you’re a Sunday school teacher, pour your heart into those kids. If you’re a greeter at church, welcome people as if they truly are entering the house of God and you’re the doorkeeper.

So if you want a rich, overflowing life, live your entire life with this principle: “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23, NKJV).

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Is there an area of your life where you have failed to honor the Lord? Have you wondered why your life seems barren and fruitless? Will you take God at his word? Will you ask him today to show you a need you can fill? Give it a try! You will see that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

One Year Bible Reading

Genesis 26:17–27:46; Matthew 9:1-17; Psalm 10:16-18; Proverbs 3:9-10