first fruits

Proverbs 3:9-10 

  Honor the LORD with your wealth,
   with the firstfruits of all your crops;
 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
   and your vats will brim over with new wine.

This post started simply with a photo I wanted to capture as I looked out my front door at my neighbor’s place about 45 minutes ago. I thought, “What a beautiful picture that will be. Let me run and get my camera and capture it.” My secondary thought was that I had to blog about it, of course, mainly to share the beauty I was witnessing.

The next step ... Upload it onto my computer so I can boost the color.

And further, the Lord reminded me of this scripture verse about “barns.” So I looked it up at Biblegateway and found the perfect one. I think God was showing me again that He provides for my every need. 

Oh, how I praise Him.

I am amazed at God’s provision when I think about the decision we made many years ago to be obedient and tithe. We were of the mindset that we would not be able to pay all our bills if we gave “10%” or more. Oh my, would we have to get rid of cable? Would I have to stop buying scrap book supplies or that new sweater? The questions came quickly, but our obedience won out. God told my husband through a Promise Keepers convention that it was indeed time to do what He calls us to do in His Word. To give the first fruits of our labor.

After that Promise Keepers weekend, Shawn called me from work to share what the Holy Spirit was convicting him to do.I paused ... I was silent for a brief moment. My husband was quiet on the other end, giving me time to sort this out in my head. I said, “How?” Shawn’s reply, “I don’t know, but God does.” It only took a few seconds to reconcile the conversation that was taking place in my mind. My desire was to do God’s will with no further question.

On that very same day, and I am not exaggerating, my husband received 3 separate phone calls of new positions that he could choose from which resulted in a promotion and a higher salary. The increase totaled almost exactly 10%.

I praise Him.

My pastor often says, “God is not trying to take something from you. He is trying to give something to you.” How very true. He blesses us in relationships, in our marriages, with our children, and in our work.He gives us peace, joy, hope, unconditional love, and life. And if we receive Him as Lord and Savior, He gives us eternal life.

So what started out to be a simple photo of a winter scene turned out to be a reminder that I serve an awesome God who loves me with an everlasting love.