“Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase.” Proverbs 3:9
I am not naïve about the effects of sin and enmity against God, but it boggles my mind why anyone would refuse to honor God.
“I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). Perhaps the presentation of self is too great a sacrifice and more than some folks are willing to do. Maybe, the Christian examples around them are not inspiring.
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). All aspects of life performed with the glory of God in mind . . . what a novel idea! What a difference it would make in our world, if we Christians would faithfully honor God.
“Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him” (1 Corinthians 16:2). God has given us so much and only asks us to give back to him in proportion to what He has given to us. Is that too much honor for him?
“The love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves. but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). His love in us and our love for him binds us to him, because we consider the death of Christ on our behalf sufficient reason to live our lives in honor of him.
“He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6). So, we simply refuse to honor God half-heartedly, because we desire more than a half-hearted response. Instead, we honor him to the fullest extent we are able so that his full harvest is bestowed on us.
“God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints and do minister” (Hebrews 6:10). While we render our honor as worship with no strings attached, we have the scriptural assurance that God does not forget our labor of love.
Dear Father, thank you for everything. Enable us to be faithful in honoring your name today and every day. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today as you honor God,