Putting God First #3

Some years back, I remember I got late for an important service, and in a hurry, I buttoned my shirt wrongly. All during the service, I was not even aware of it. When I got back home, I realized this fact. I thank God I was wearing a blazer on top of my shirt; otherwise, it would have been a bit embarrassing.

You see, you only have to get the first button wrong, and then all others follow the trail. The same is true with our priorities. If we get the first one wrong, then all others will follow. The reverse is also true. If we get the first one right then the others will fall in place.

The following illustrates this truth beautifully.
In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success. (Proverbs 3:6 TLB)

We must learn to put God first in the area of our finances also. Proverbs 3:9-10 clearly mentions this
“Honor the Lord by giving him the first part of all your income, and he will fill your barns with wheat and barley and overflow your wine vats with the finest wines.” (TLB)

We are to give God first and not give God what is left over. When we do this, we will experience His filling and overflow in every area of our lives.

Why must we put God first in our finances?

#1
The earth belongs to God! Everything in all the world is his! (Psalm 24:1 TLB)

The master key to honouring the Lord with our finances is remembering the fact that it all belongs to Him - You and I are only managing it. If you remember, Adam and Eve were put in charge of the Garden of Eden. They did not own it but were just to manage it. (Genesis 2:15) Likewise, we are only managers of what God has entrusted in our care.

David understood this truth as he put God first in his finances and said, “Everything we have has come from you, and we only give you what is yours already” (1 Chronicles 29:14 TLB)

#2
Secondly, putting God first in your finances, even when things are tough, is a sure way to develop your faith.

I remember hearing a message on giving to the Lord first by the man of God, papa Morris Cerullo. I was deeply convicted and challenged in my spirit. I did start my journey concerning giving to the Lord. However, I must be honest with you that it was no easy ride. There were times of anxiety and tears. I had to make many sacrifices to keep God first in the area of finances. However, the good side is, there were so many things happening in my life, in my job. There was favour on all sides with doors opening everywhere.

At first, I thought it was a mere coincidence, but then it kept happening and happening. There was no natural explanation – I just knew it had to be God coming through for me.

1 Kings 17 tells us about the widow of Zarephath. She had already lost her husband, and now she was facing a severe famine. To add to her list of woes, now she was on the verge of losing her son also because of the famine. It was in such a bleak situation that God sent His Prophet to her.

Prophet Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me, and afterwards make some for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’” (1 Kings 17:13-14)

I find it thought-provoking that God did not send His Prophet to a rich man but to a poor widow who did not have enough for herself.

Notice the Prophet saying, “make me a small cake first”. At first, it seems very offensive, but you see, it was not the widow trying to help the Prophet but God trying to help the widow. So many times, we think that by putting God first, we are really helping the Lord, but in fact, it is God trying to help us.