If you read the financial section of the paper or listen to the experts, it appears the economy is slowing down. Stocks are down. Values of existing homes are down. Gas prices are up. So is unemployment. Everything I’ve read recently tells me the outlook is more of the same. In the midst of this so-called recovery, the economy doesn’t appear to be recovering.
So we turn from the financial reports to the Word of God for some good news. And we find it in Proverbs 3:10, “So your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” That is Solomon’s way of saying your bank account is going to be full and your investments are going to perform well. What a wonderful promise!
But before the promise of v10 is the command of v9, “Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase.” A problem arises when we want the blessing of the promise, but are not willing to obey the command. If you want the blessing of v10, you have to obey the command of v9.
The command is to give to God first. Notice, the writer did not say we should wait until our barns are filled with plenty and then give to God. He said we should give to God first and then our barns would be filled with plenty. The act of obedience is what triggers the blessing.
Honoring God with the firstfruits of all your increase is called tithing. Why is tithing important? It’s the primary way we acknowledge that God is first. Tithing requires faith because it means not just giving to God, but giving to God first before you see if there’s going to be enough money left to cover your financial obligations. God honors faith,
and He honors obedience. When we give to God first, He blesses the 90% left so that it actually goes farther than
the 100% would have gone!
I honestly believe the way to survive the financial crisis that has hit our nation is to honor God with your money. Do you want to see a turn-around in your finances? Then start tithing now. But Pastor Todd, I cannot afford to tithe. All the more reason to start. Along with exercising biblical money principles, tithing is the way out of your personal financial crisis. Put God to the test on this one (Malachi 3:10). He will not fail you.
Pastor Todd
So we turn from the financial reports to the Word of God for some good news. And we find it in Proverbs 3:10, “So your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” That is Solomon’s way of saying your bank account is going to be full and your investments are going to perform well. What a wonderful promise!
But before the promise of v10 is the command of v9, “Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase.” A problem arises when we want the blessing of the promise, but are not willing to obey the command. If you want the blessing of v10, you have to obey the command of v9.
The command is to give to God first. Notice, the writer did not say we should wait until our barns are filled with plenty and then give to God. He said we should give to God first and then our barns would be filled with plenty. The act of obedience is what triggers the blessing.
Honoring God with the firstfruits of all your increase is called tithing. Why is tithing important? It’s the primary way we acknowledge that God is first. Tithing requires faith because it means not just giving to God, but giving to God first before you see if there’s going to be enough money left to cover your financial obligations. God honors faith,
and He honors obedience. When we give to God first, He blesses the 90% left so that it actually goes farther than
the 100% would have gone!
I honestly believe the way to survive the financial crisis that has hit our nation is to honor God with your money. Do you want to see a turn-around in your finances? Then start tithing now. But Pastor Todd, I cannot afford to tithe. All the more reason to start. Along with exercising biblical money principles, tithing is the way out of your personal financial crisis. Put God to the test on this one (Malachi 3:10). He will not fail you.
Pastor Todd
