Mission Briefing
First Things First: Honor God with What You Have
What if the secret to having enough was giving first instead of last? That sounds backwards – but it’s one of God’s favorite upside-down principles. In Proverbs 3:9-10, He invites us to honor Him with the FIRST and best of what we have, and promises that generosity opens the door to His provision.
What Does Proverbs 3:9-10 Mean?
“Firstfruits” was a real practice in ancient Israel – farmers would bring the very first and best of their harvest to God before keeping the rest for themselves. It was a way of saying, “Lord, this all comes from You, and I trust You with the rest.” Proverbs 3:9-10 applies that principle beyond farming: honor God with your wealth and the first of everything you produce or earn. The promise that follows – full barns and overflowing vats – is not a guarantee of riches, but a picture of God’s faithfulness to those who trust Him first. When we put God first with our resources, we declare that we trust Him more than we trust our own ability to hold onto everything tightly.
Hero Challenge
The next time you receive any money – allowance, birthday gift, anything – practice the firstfruits principle. Before spending a single cent on yourself, set something aside for God first. It doesn’t need to be a large amount. The act of giving first is the point. Try it for one month and journal how it affects your attitude toward the rest of what you have.
Did You Know?
In ancient Israel, harvest festivals were major events where the community brought the first produce of the season to the Temple as an offering. This wasn’t just a religious ritual – it was a public declaration of faith. By giving the first of the harvest before they knew what the rest of the season would bring, farmers were saying: “I trust that God will provide.” That act of trust was the foundation of the entire community’s generosity.
Ages 4-6: Little Hero Question
If you had 10 cookies, what would it look like to give one to God first before eating the rest? How does giving first show that you trust God?
Ages 7-9: Growing Hero Question
Why do you think God asks for the FIRST of what we have, not the leftovers? What does giving first show about where our heart is?
Ages 10-13: Champion Question
Proverbs 3:9-10 connects honoring God with our wealth to trusting Him with our future. Have you experienced a time when choosing generosity felt risky? What happened? How can the principle of firstfruits shape your financial habits as you grow up?
♥ Mission Prayer
Lord, teach me to honor You with the first and best of what I have, not the leftovers. Help me to trust You enough to give before I know how things will turn out. Grow in me a generous, faith-filled heart that puts You first in every area of my life.
