Proverbs 3:9-10: “9 Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; 10 so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.”
What is wealth? Wealth is the abundance of valuable possessions and money. A simple definition for wealth is the act of having more than enough. What is the purpose for God allowing us to have more than enough? It is so that we can be a blessing to those He places in our paths. The text, however, goes a little further. It says that we are to honor the Lord with our wealth and from the first of all of our produce. Not only are we to be a blessing to others with our abundance, but we are to honor God’s Kingdom by sowing into it through tithes and offerings.
True wisdom is found when the believer understands the principle of sowing and reaping (seed time and harvest). It is an eternal spiritual principle, driven by obedience, that shall forever be in the earth (Genesis 8:22). When we begin to live our lives, based upon this principle, we will be guaranteed eternal blessings from the Lord. He said when we honor the Lord with our wealth and the first of all of our produce (first fruit), then our storehouse will be filled with plenty (we shall never suffer from want) and our vats (water pots) will always be filled with new wine (our increase will continue to flow).
I challenge you today to make sure that you are obedient to give to God the title and offering first, before you do anything else. Your blessing and increase depend upon it.
Prayer: Father, may I always be faithful to give to You from my wealth and first fruit. I realize that my increase is connected to my obedience. Forgive me for when I have neglected to do so and help me to teach my children to be obedient to give to You. I love You Lord, Amen.
Dr. J. Elvin Sadler