Proverbs 3:9 Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
This passage of scripture is one that deserves our utmost consideration when returning our tithes and offerings into God's treasury, for it contains the scriptural principle of putting God first in everything. The word "First-fruits" refers to the practice of prioritizing our giving in a way that honors God first, before the mundane concerns of life are addressed. It's important for us to remember that God is a Spirit, and He keenly observes the way in which we treat Him. If we leave Him for last in our considerations, then it demonstrates our esteem of His mercies towards us, but if we keep Him first in our affections, then the above promises will apply to us across the board.
Proper and ample provision should always be made for the returning of a faithful tithe, which should not be touched under any circumstances for personal benefit or use. There will be times when every true Christian will be severely tested on this point, to see whether emergencies will cause us to dip into funds that are devoted to God, and because faith that is not tested cannot be trusted, we should decide preemptively to avoid the snares of the evil one on this issue, by putting aside in a safe place, whatever is designated for The Lord's treasury. This injunction as coming from The Lord also includes our offerings, for we are not to think of our offerings as being less sacred than the tithe, and thus be more loose in our handling of those funds. Let's read:
1st Corinthians 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
Malachi 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 "Ye have robbed me, even this whole nation".
One of the reasons why frequent appeals for funds have to be made from the pulpit is because of our unfaithfulness in these matters, hence the reason why churches resort to other ungodly means to meet their expenses. The Bible tells us that where our treasure is, there our hearts will be also, and if we desire to know where our interests are centered, all we need to do is to look at our finances, for there we will see how our priorities are stacked. If God is first in our affections, it will be clearly reflected in our bank statements, and if not, then the truth about our relationship with God will be made manifest.
God is looking for deliberate decisions and proactive measures on these issues, so that His cause may not suffer any loss, on account of unfaithfulness on the part of His people, and although we should never give with the intention of receiving in return, yet the promises of God are sure, and if we give with the right and cheerful spirit, God will be pleased to satisfy our souls in times of drought, as He has promised in His word.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which confirms to us the promise that God will take care of us, and it is His will that we seek the interests of His kingdom first, in all of our dealings, deliberations, and planning. Let's read:
Matthew 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!