The very first commandment God gave His people is clear:
“You shall have no other gods before Me.”
—Exodus 20:3, NKJV
God will not share His glory with another (Isaiah 42:8, ESV). He desires our full attention, thanksgiving, and praise. He longs for a relationship in which we prioritize Him above everything else. We are also instructed to have His kind of faith—a faith that trusts, obeys, and acts.
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
—Hebrews 11:6, NKJV
We are called to live each day with this faith and intentionality:
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”
—Colossians 3:23, NKJV
Tithing is a Matter of the Heart, Not Just Law. Tithing often sparks debate—was it just for the Old Testament? Or does it carry into the New Testament? The answer becomes simple when we choose to honor God first in every area of life. Jesus affirmed the principle in the New Testament when He said:
“You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.”
—Matthew 23:23, NLT
When we give God our first fruits, we demonstrate trust in Him as our Provider.
“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
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse… and try Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing...”
—Malachi 3:10, NKJV
When we put God first in our finances, He becomes our source. He rebukes the devourer (Malachi 3:11), and protects what is rightfully ours.
Starting Each Day With God is another way of putting Him first. We put God first by dedicating the very beginning of each day to Him:
“This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
—Psalm 118:24, NKJV
Before we face the world, we align our hearts with heaven. In every decision, we invite the Holy Spirit to lead us:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
—Proverbs 3:5–6, NKJV
Reflection
When we put God first—whether in our time, money, or decisions—we make space for His presence, His provision, and His peace. Prioritizing Him doesn’t mean we live without challenges, but it ensures we never face them alone. Let’s realign our hearts today and declare that He is first in all things.
Declaration
Today, I choose to put God first in every area of my life.
I honor Him with my time, my thoughts, my finances, and my decisions.
I declare that I trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding.
As I acknowledge Him in all my ways, I believe He is directing my paths (Proverbs 3:5–6).
Because I seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, all things I need are being added to me (Matthew 6:33).
I am blessed to be a blessing. I lack nothing because the Lord is my Shepherd (Psalm 23:1).
The devourer is rebuked for my sake, and the windows of heaven are open over my life (Malachi 3:10–11). I live in the overflow of God’s goodness because He is first in my life!
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I come to You today with a heart full of gratitude. Thank You for loving me so deeply and inviting me to walk in close fellowship with You. Help me to always put You first—above my plans, my worries, and my desires. Let my life reflect a heart that honors You in every way.
Teach me to trust You fully with my resources, my relationships, and my future. When I’m tempted to do things my way, remind me of Your promises and Your unfailing faithfulness. Open my eyes to see Your hand of provision and protection all around me.
Holy Spirit, guide me in every decision. Let my actions bring You glory. May others see Your light through my life and be drawn to know You. I declare that You are first, now and always. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
