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Have you ever wondered what it really means to give God your best?
It’s easy to let God become an afterthought in our busy lives. We give Him what’s leftover—leftover time, leftover energy, leftover resources. But Proverbs 3:9–10 challenges us to approach life differently:

"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine." (Proverbs 3:9–10, ESV)

This isn’t just a call to give financially; it’s an invitation to prioritize God in every area of our lives—our time, talents, and treasures. Let’s explore how this principle of firstfruits applies to us today.

What Are “Firstfruits”?

In biblical times, the term firstfruits referred to the very first and best portion of the harvest. Before the Israelites enjoyed their crops, they offered the first portion to God as an act of worship. It symbolized gratitude, trust, and prioritizing God above all else.

  • Gratitude: "God, You’ve provided, and we thank You."
  • Trust: "God, we believe You will provide the full harvest."
  • Priority: "God, You come first—You are not an afterthought."

Today, we may not bring barley or grain to the altar, but the principle remains: God deserves the first and finest of what we have.

Are We Giving God a Freezer-Burned Turkey?

Paul Harvey once told the story of a woman who found a 23-year-old Butterball turkey in her freezer. When she called the company to ask if it was still safe to eat, they assured her it was, but it likely wouldn’t taste good. Her response? “I thought so—I’ll just give it to the church.”

It’s a funny story, but it raises an important question: How often do we give God the spiritual equivalent of a freezer-burned turkey?

  • Leftover energy.
  • Leftover time.
  • Leftover commitment.

God doesn’t deserve our leftovers. He deserves our first and finest. So, how do we put this into practice?

Giving God Your Best Today

Here are some practical ways to apply the principle of firstfruits in your everyday life:

1. In Our Worship

  • Fully engage in every part of the service—prayer, singing, listening to the sermon.
  • Are you actively worshiping, or just watching worship happen?
    Give God your full attention and participation.

2. In Our Time

  • Does God get the best part of your day, or just what’s left after work, errands, and Netflix?
  • Start your morning with prayer and Scripture, dedicating the first moments of your day to Him.

3. In Our Talents

  • Are you using your skills for God’s kingdom, or just in your career?
  • Consider ways to serve in your church or community using your gifts—whether it’s teaching, singing, organizing, or helping others.

4. In Our Finances

  • Do you give to God first, or after all the bills are paid?
  • Honor Him by setting aside a tithe or offering as your first financial priority, trusting Him to provide for your needs.

The Blessing of Prioritizing God

Proverbs 3:10 reminds us of the blessing that follows when we give God our best:

"Then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine."

This isn’t a promise of material wealth—it’s about aligning our priorities with God’s and experiencing His provision and purpose in our lives. When we honor Him with the firstfruits of our time, talents, and treasures, we open the door to His blessings—not just in what we have, but in who we become.

Where Do You Need to Give God Your Best?

Take a moment to reflect:

  • Are there areas in your life where God is getting the “leftovers” instead of the first and finest?
  • What steps can you take this week to give Him your best?

Let’s honor God by putting Him first—just as the Israelites brought their firstfruits, let us offer our best in gratitude, trust, and priority. Because the truth is, God deserves nothing less.

A Prayer to Close

Lord, You are so good and so great. Help us to give You our best—not just what’s leftover. May we honor You in our time, talents, and treasures. Teach us to trust You, prioritize You, and worship You with our whole hearts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.