First Things First

"Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God." -Exodus 23:19a

From time management gurus, to accountants, to my own mother—the phrase "First things First" is a favorite. It seems simplistic and trite at first glance. Obviously, you have to put on your socks before your shoes. First things have to go first. But as simple as the phrase seems, it is often exceedingly difficult to implement in our lives.

I don’t know about you, but I have a list of books a mile long that are waiting to be read. I have a list of home improvements that I’d like to make. I have a list of lists that I need to complete. And with all these lists, it seems they never get any shorter. It seems that the longer I look at the long list, the longer I can put things off. In order to make any progress, I have to forget the lists, and focus on one line. I, personally, can only do one thing at a time. I have to take one thing at a time, and put first things first.

I have another list, which I know that you have as well. I have a list of bills. There are student loans, utilities, rent/mortgage, and various other commitments, and it seems they all want a piece of my check! Then the pastor talks about the Tithe. God, it seems, also wants a part of my check.

Would it surprise you if I were to tell you that God doesn’t want 10% of your check? What God desires is 100% of you. By taking the first 10% of your livelihood, and giving it to God, you are making the statement, "I realize that God is my provider, and not my job. I acknowledge that God will provide for my needs, and that I am First Things First dependent on the Faithfulness of God to make it through this month." If I pay my bills, and see if I have anything left over to give to God, I make the opposite statement.

All throughout Scripture, God emphasizes the importance of "first things first." God asks for the firstfruits of harvest (for us that comes with a paycheck, and not with a sickle), he also asks for the consecration of the firstborn. First things are important to God, because they constitute our declaration of dependence upon God.

Homework this week: Declare your dependence upon God this week! Open the checkbook and write a tithe check. Read Malachi 3:6-17, and pray that God would prove himself faithful to his word, and provide for your needs.

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