LifeLink Devotions for Thursday, February 6, 2025

Twice I have been in court, both times as a witness. Once to testify against a criminal, and once to testify on behalf of an innocent person. Both times I sat under the authority of a judge. I addressed him as “Your Honor.”

There are several things that make someone worthy of honor. The position they hold is honorable and they honorably represent the position they hold. A judge is honorable because they represent the authority of the law, and their position demands they uphold the law with integrity.

Honoring someone entails a variety of responses from us. We honor them by listening to them. We obey their authority. We may even pay them homage by praising them or declaring their greatness. And sometimes we pay them monetary tribute.

It’s this last one that is least likely to happen, especially in our honor of God. We listen to Him and obey His authority. We praise Him and declare His greatness. But how often do we honor him with our wealth.

Proverbs 3:9-10 “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.”

Within the book of Proverbs there are over 100 verses dealing with the subject of wealth. Jesus Himself addressed wealth when He said, “You cannot love God and money.” The subject of how we use our earthly resources is important.

In Proverbs 3:9 we are told that giving the best of our resources to God is what honors Him.  That raises some interesting questions.

If I don’t put Christ first in my financial decisions am I dishonoring God? Seems logical.

When I use my resources for me first am I honoring myself over God? Also logical.

When I don’t give my best resources to Christ am I really hurting myself? YES.

The promise of Proverbs 3:10 is that the blessings of security and abundance are only available to those who honor God with their wealth and the best of everything they have or receive.

Please don’t think that I am giving you a formula to be rich. The abundance of wealth can also be a curse when the Spirit of Christ is not giving us contentment and joy with whatever we receive. But God’s economy is this – He will honor those who honor Him. Jesus said, “give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38)

How are you measuring out what you give to the Lord? Is it a cup of convenience, or a barrel of blessing? Does it honor you or God?

It’s time to start honoring God with everything He has given you, for nothing you have comes from you but from His grace.

Pastor John