Discover how prioritizing God in your life can transform your faith through timeless biblical principles. Uncover how putting God first, even when it seems counterintuitive, invites His blessings and provision into your life. 

Biblical Patterns of Honoring God First

In 1960, John Steinbeck wrote a letter to Adelaide Stevenson that was published in The Washington Post. In the letter, Steinbeck wrote about the United States and the steps he’d take to destroy a people if he was a strategist. He wasn’t writing from a perspective of advocating but speculative thought. He said, “If I wanted to destroy a nation, I would give it too much, and I would have it on its knees, miserable, greedy, and sick.”

The Wall Street Journal published an article about the boomer generation, and before sharing this anecdote, please know that it isn’t my intention to pick on boomers. I cite this as the reality we’re living in. The article shared that the boomer generation has accumulated so much stuff that their children are crying out, “Please, stop,” because cleaning your house is too big a chore when you pass on.

In light of these realities, I’m mindful of what Jesus said in Luke 12:15, “Watch out, be on your guard against all kinds of greed.” A person’s life doesn’t consist of an abundance of possessions, so when Jesus spoke about money, He often put it into two categories: mammon and money. When discussing mammon, in this context, He referred to money as people putting their security in money rather than God. It means my security is in what I own or what comes solely through my finances. This is why Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, that’s where your heart will be (Matthew 6:21).” Whatever you value, ultimately, is what you give your heart to.

To expand on this, let’s look at Scripture, which describes how God advocates for His people to break a spirit of mammon and moves us to a place where we recognize that we’re not the owners but the stewards. When God is honored, He is faithful to His promises to meet every need.

Let’s review the Biblical patterns that describe how God calls us to keep Him first in practical ways that keep our hearts free and bring Him glory.

The Pattern of the First Born

“Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, whether man or animal.” Exodus 13:2 (NIV)

God declares that the firstborn is His; it belongs to Him. This theme is found at least 16 times in Scripture and is expanded upon a few verses later.

“…you are to give over to the Lord the first offspring of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the Lord. Redeem with a lamb every firstborn donkey, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. Redeem every firstborn among your sons.” Exodus 13:12-13 (NIV)

The economy of the time was agrarian, and there wasn’t much money exchange; instead, it was primarily based on bartering. Very early in Scripture, we see the pattern of the first portion being given to God and Him redeeming the rest.

The Pattern of First Fruits

“Bring the best of the first fruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God.” Exodus 23:19a (NIV)

“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV)

These passages give us the picture of God honored first and the Lord declaring that as He’s honored, He will meet your needs. He’s demonstrating that He will take care of us, and we needn’t worry.

Jeremiah 2:3 states, “Israel was holy to the Lord, the first fruit of His harvest…”. The metaphor of the first fruit, or tithe, is that Israel went first in being God so that all people would be redeemed through the Messiah, Jesus, through Israel. That means that all Gentiles, all ethne, all nations would have the opportunity to come to know God through the Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Pattern of the Tithe

Have you ever heard someone say they don’t go to church because all they do is talk about money?

In all honesty, I don’t believe that at least not in the Methodist tradition. However, we should ask deeper questions: Did Jesus talk about money? Did Scripture address this?

• There are more than 500 verses in the Bible concerning prayer.

• There are nearly 500 verses concerning faith.

• But there are more than 2,000 verses on money and possessions.

• Jesus talked about money in 16 of his 38 parables.

While I recognize that this section may be triggering for some people, from the Bible’s standpoint, we need to understand money and how to handle it. Money and resources are gifts to steward, and how we handle money matters.

Additionally, it’s a test from God. How we handle money reveals volumes about our priorities, loyalties, and affections. It directly dictates many of the blessings we will (or won’t) experience in life and in the life to come.

The word “tithe” means one-tenth. Biblically, it refers to the first 10 percent. However, let me remind you that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). We don’t give out of obligation or duty. If we do that, then we’re not giving out of love. We’re called to give out of joy because we’re making a difference in God’s kingdom.

We want our motives to be in honoring God. That’s why James said, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures James 4:3 (NASB).”

Faith Beyond the Counterintuitive

I’ve heard it said that any first thing given is never lost, and any first thing not given is always lost. In other words, we don’t lose what we offer God because He redeems it for us. But what we withhold from God, we will lose. Jesus echoed this principle when He said:

JESUS: “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whosoever loses his life for me will find it.” Matthew 16:25 (NIV)

Be mindful. Conceptually and practically, this feels very counterintuitive. Can you imagine living in the Old Testament and the Lord telling you to tithe the first sheep born in your flock? But the Lord calls us to give the first, honor Him before anything else, so He can redeem the rest.

Consider the story of the fall of Jericho. The Lord instructed the Israelites not to keep any spoils from Jericho (Joshua 6:19). He declared that it all belonged to Him.

Why did the Lord say that all of the silver and gold from Jericho had to be given to the Lord’s house? Because it was the first city conquered in the Promised Land, It was the first fruit. God didn’t say, “Conquer ten cities and give me all the spoils from the tenth one.” He essentially said, “Give me the first, and you can have the rest.” That took faith!

The Difference Putting God First Makes

However, one person among the Israelites disregarded God’s clear instructions. Despite these instructions, a man named Achan took some for himself (Joshua 6:18), and we read that it was “cursed.” Think about that. When the spoils were given to God, they were “consecrated” or set apart for God’s house, but after a man took some for himself, it was called “accursed.”

A curse is rooted when you believe a lie, and when this happens, you get a distortion of God or His nature. You also get a distortion of yourself and how you relate to God.

The first verse of Malachi 3 declares that the Messiah is coming. He describes that John the Baptist is coming to pave the way for the Messiah, Jesus. However, they were living under a curse because they didn’t realize how serious that was. They think there’s a reason to celebrate. The Messiah is coming—let’s party! In their minds, He would restore things, and everything would be good. However, look at what Malachi said next:

“But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?” Malachi 3:2

A few verses later, in verse 5, he says, He isn’t coming in celebration, but judgment. He will judge us for our sorcery, adultery, lying, oppression, and those who reject God. But the people heard this and felt God’s conviction. They sought to make things right with our Creator. So, Malachi responded:

“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me! But say, ‘In what way have we robbed you? In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse. For you have robbed me, even this whole nation.” Malachi 3:8-9

In other words, all those professing faith in Yahweh are reminded that God doesn’t change (Malachi 3:6), so we’re called to bring the whole tithe into the storehouse. But let’s be clear: Tithing doesn’t save you; only Jesus can save you. But Malachi was speaking to a backslidden people. We can drift from God.

“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” Malachi 3:10

Based on Scripture, there is a window in heaven, and God will open it over your life and family. That matters because strong families make strong churches, which make up strong cities, and those makeup strong nations. We’re all aware that our nation needs help, but this is part of God’s pattern, not the totality of it. When we put God first, it makes a difference.

Also, note that the verse doesn’t say God will rain down Bentleys on us. This isn’t a prosperity gospel. Instead, it says that God will pour down a blessing on you until there is no more need. God is declaring that He will meet every need in your life.

Sometimes, we reason that tithing is seen as an Old Testament pattern. However, remember Jesus’ words to the Pharisees in Luke 11.

JESUS: “But woe to you, Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done without neglecting the others.” Luke 11:42 (emphasis added)

Jesus taught that it’s possible to give in a heartless way and only do it for an outward appearance. There is no inward conviction in this manner. John Rockefeller once said, “I never would have been able to tithe the first million dollars I ever made if I had not tithed my first salary, which was $1.50 per week.”

All tithers testify that they are blessed, and all non-tithers testify that they can’t afford to tithe. Look what Paul wrote to the Corinthians:

“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week, let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper; that there be no collections when I come.” 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

A Supersized God

Years ago, McDonald’s had an advertising campaign for “Supersize Me.” When someone placed their order, the cashier would ask, “Would you like to supersize your order for a dollar more?” That practice had profound, resounding effects on American businesses and the market.

I want to remind you that we don’t have a little God. We have a supersized God who is infinite, faithful and cares deeply about you. He cares deeply about your anxieties and worries (1 Peter 5:7). But He also says that God blesses our resources and the stewardship of our wealth.

In Matthew 6, Jesus reminds us that the birds don’t lack food because He cares for them. He points out the flowers in the field and their beautiful display. But He says: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33).”

In Revelation, we see Jesus writing letters to the churches. When He got to the church of Ephesus, He bragged about their doctrine. But He said they’d abandoned their first love, Jesus. God loves a cheerful giver. We’re not called to give simply because, but because Jesus is worthy, and we want to honor Him.

TL;DR

1. Stewardship emphasizes the importance of recognizing ourselves as stewards, not owners, of our resources. By honoring God first, He fulfills His promises and provides for our needs.

2. Patterns of Giving to God What is His:

   1. First Born: Scriptural references highlight that the firstborn belongs to God, setting a pattern of giving the first and best to God.

   2. First Fruits: The practice of offering the first and best of one’s labor to God is a recurring biblical theme, signifying trust in God to meet needs.

   3. Tithing: Tithing, or giving a tenth, is a practice deeply rooted in Scripture and is portrayed as an expression of gratitude and faithfulness.

3. Giving isn’t just about fulfilling obligations but is a heart issue that reflects one’s faith, trust, and priorities. It serves as a test of our values and can determine blessings in life.

4. The concept that giving to God first, even when it seems counterintuitive, cultivates faith and reliance on God’s provision rather than on material possessions.

5. Failing to honor God first can lead to a distorted understanding of God and one’s relationship with Him.

6. Malachi 3:10 promises blessings for those who tithe, encouraging believers to trust God’s provision.

Related Reading

How to Trust God When Life Seems Impossible by Rev. Paul Lawler

The First Things of a Blessed Life by Rev. Paul Lawler

Why Does God Want Our Hearts Enlightened? by Rev. Paul Lawler