33 BUT SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6
We’ve been considering in this week’s blogs how Giving God First in this month can determine the outcome of our New Year. God’s word to Tomi Arayomi, recently moved to Nigeria, ‘Give me this First Month and I’ll bless all the other months for you’.
Jesus told the people of His day and our day to ‘Seek First the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE ADDED TO YOU’. Not just one or two things would be added but ALL THESE THINGS!
When Solomon asked God for a discerning heart to govern God’s people, God was pleased that he hadn’t put himself first. In ADDITION TO what he’d asked for, God gave him riches and honour, without equal and a long life. 1 Kings 3
We can choose to work for things OR we can Give God First and trust Him to Add to us at the right place and time. Only God’s Children have the opportunity to do this while here on earth and in time. When we leave this realm we won’t need to choose to give to God, but we can here and now.
The widow of Zarephath had been chosen by God to care for His prophet, Elijah, but she seemed unaware that she or her son had any future left.
7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 9 ‘Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I HAVE INSTRUCTED a widow there to supply you with food.’
12 ‘As surely as the Lord your God lives,’ she replied, ‘I don’t have any bread – only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it – AND DIE.’ 1 Kings 17
The widow gave Elijah First as he’d asked and opened the way for God’s provision in a desperate time of life or death. When we give to God we’re sowing for the future, not just the present. So what can we give God now in the First month that will secure His blessing throughout this Year?
God may not require a huge sacrifice, just a small piece of bread saved the widow and her son, but she gave Elijah First. Solomon asked for God’s people First and God blessed them both. Consider how we can honour God in the beginning of the year, to walk in blessing throughout it.
24 ‘“‘The Lord bless you
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face towards you
and give you peace.’”
27 ‘So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.’ Numbers 6