WEEKLY MESSAGE

SUNDAY, 18/08/19.

ON THE MESSAGE THIS WEEK: GIVE GOD YOUR FIRSTFRUITS

KEY VERSE: "HONOUR GOD WITH... THE FIRSTFRUITS OF YOUR INCREASE” (PROVERBS 3:9).

Solomon writes: ‘Honour the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine’ (vv. 9-10).

The people who heard these words lived off their land and their livestock. Whenever they reaped a harvest or birthed new cattle, they would take the first sheaf or the firstborn calf to the temple and offer it to the Lord. These were called ‘firstfruits’. By doing this they acknowledged that ‘everything I have comes from God, and belongs to God. And everything I’ll need for the future depends upon God’s goodness to me’. There’s not a more important money management principle you’ll ever hear than this: give God your ‘firstfruits’, not your leftovers!

Businessman Arthur DeMoss was a spiritual giant and benefactor who gave millions to God’s work and left behind a foundation to carry on his legacy. Mr DeMoss said that to be successful you should give God the first dime out of every dollar, the first hour out of every day, and the first day out of every week. You ask, ‘Does that mean God won’t love me if I don’t tithe?’ No; you can’t do anything to earn God’s love. However, giving our tithe willingly demonstrates our obedience & love for God. Giving our time willingly for His work & kingdom demonstrates our obedience and love for Him. Giving out of our many, various resources show our commitment.

And at this point, we receive back from His inexhaustible resources. Our barns will be filed with plenty and our vats will overflow with new things. You give and your receive (see Luke 6:38).

(Extracts from ucb, wordfortoday)

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Did you know: There are almost 20 different passages in the Bible where it is mentioned that we are God's people.

Ref: Jeremiah 32:38 / Ezekiel 14:11 / Zechariah 8:8 / 2 Corinthians 6:16 / Hebrews 8:10 / Ezekiel 11:20 / Ezekiel 37:23 / Jeremiah 7:23 / Jeremiah 31:33 / Ezekiel 37:27 / Jeremiah 31:1 / Revelation 21:3 / Exodus 6:7 / Leviticus 26:12 / Jeremiah 11:4 / Jeremiah 30:22 / Ezekiel 36:28.