The Principle Of First And Best | Pacesetters | Pastor Adam Bishop

Today’s teaching centers on the “principle of first and best”—a foundational truth woven throughout Scripture that calls us to honor God by giving Him our first and our best in every area of life. This principle is not just about money or tithing, though it certainly applies there; it’s a way of orienting our entire lives around God’s priorities, trusting Him with what matters most to us, and experiencing the freedom and blessing that come from wholehearted obedience.

We began by acknowledging the real needs in our community, especially in light of current events and food insecurity. While it’s easy to be frustrated with those in power, God calls His people to step into the gap and be a light, meeting needs right where we are. This is a tangible expression of generosity, which, as we explored, is the pace-setter for the mission Jesus has given His church.

Tracing the principle of first and best through Scripture, we saw it first in the offerings of Cain and Abel—Abel’s offering was accepted because it was the first and best, while Cain’s was simply “some” of his produce. Abraham and Jacob also practiced this principle, giving a tenth of their increase as an act of worship and trust. God later formalized this in the law, commanding His people to bring the first tenth of their resources, not as a burdensome rule, but so that they would learn to revere and trust Him.

The story of Achan in Joshua 7 powerfully illustrates the consequences of neglecting this principle. When God’s people entered the Promised Land, He commanded that the first city’s plunder be devoted entirely to Him. Achan’s decision to keep some for himself brought defeat and loss, not just for him, but for the whole community. Yet, in the very next battle, God allowed His people to keep the plunder—showing that if we trust Him with the first, He is faithful to bless us with the rest.

Applying the principle of first and best is how we learn to trust God, not just with our finances, but in every area—our careers, relationships, studies, and marriages. It’s the foundation for a life of generosity and freedom from materialism. When we give God our first and best, we declare with our actions that everything we have is from Him, and we open ourselves to His provision and blessing.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The principle of first and best is a thread running from Genesis through the life of King David, teaching us that God desires not just “some” of what we have, but our first and our best. This principle is about trust and worship, not just obligation, and it shapes our hearts to honor God above all else. [33:05]
• 2. God’s commands regarding tithing and giving are not arbitrary rules, but practical ways to teach us reverence and dependence on Him. The act of giving the first tenth is a tangible expression of trust, reminding us that everything we have is ultimately from God and for His purposes. [37:16]
• 3. The story of Achan reveals that disobedience in the area of possessions can have far-reaching consequences, not just for individuals but for the whole community. True freedom comes when we release our grip on material things and trust God’s timing and provision, knowing that what we surrender to Him, He is able to multiply and return in His way. [46:01]
• 4. Applying the principle of first and best is not limited to finances; it’s a call to put God first in every area of life—our work, relationships, studies, and marriages. Anything we want God to bless must be surrendered to Him first, and this surrender is the soil in which trust and spiritual growth flourish. [50:13]
• 5. Generosity is built on the foundation of giving God our first and best. As we practice this, we experience a snowball effect of blessing and freedom, moving from a mindset of scarcity and self-preservation to one of abundance and joyful giving. Like King David, we come to see that all we give is already God’s, and in that realization, we find true freedom from materialism. [59:23]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [27:07] - Introduction and Community Needs
• [28:25] - Launching the Food Drive
• [29:15] - Series Overview: Pacesetters
• [31:58] - The Principle of First and Best
• [32:46] - Origins in Genesis: Cain and Abel
• [33:53] - Abraham, Jacob, and the Tenth
• [34:52] - Israel’s Journey and the Law
• [37:00] - Tithing: Law and Principle
• [40:09] - Entering the Promised Land: The Tests
• [41:11] - Disobedience with Possessions: Achan’s Story
• [47:13] - The Blessing Awaited in Ai
• [49:38] - Trusting God in Every Area
• [52:14] - Personal Story: Trusting God with First and Best
• [59:23] - The Foundation for Generosity
• [61:02] - Responding in Worship and Prayer

Bible Reading

Genesis 4:2-5 (NIV) — > Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

Deuteronomy 14:22-23 (NIV) — > Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the Lord your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the Lord your God always.

Joshua 7:1, 20-21 (NIV) — > But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel.
> ...
> Achan replied, “It is true! I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”

Observation Questions

1. In Genesis 4, what is the key difference between Cain’s and Abel’s offerings to God? How does God respond to each?
2. According to Deuteronomy 14, what is the stated purpose for God’s command to set aside a tenth of the produce and firstborn?
3. In the story of Achan (Joshua 7), what did Achan do that brought trouble on the whole community?
4. The sermon mentioned that after the defeat at Ai, God allowed the Israelites to keep the plunder from the next city. What does this reveal about God’s intentions for His people? [[48:21]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God cared so much about receiving the “first and best” rather than just “some” of what people had? What does this say about God’s priorities and our relationship with Him? [[33:05]]
2. The sermon pointed out that tithing and giving are not just rules, but ways to teach us to trust and revere God. How does the act of giving our first and best help us grow in trust? [[37:16]]
3. Achan’s disobedience affected not just himself but the whole community. What does this teach us about the impact of our choices, especially regarding generosity and obedience? [[44:02]]
4. The principle of first and best was applied not just to money, but to every area of life. Why do you think God wants us to put Him first in things like our work, relationships, and studies—not just our finances? [[50:13]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon began by talking about real needs in our community, like food insecurity, and how God calls us to step into the gap. What is one practical way you could give your “first and best” to meet a need you see around you this week? [[28:10]]
2. Think about your finances. Is there an area where you tend to give God “some” rather than your “first and best”? What would it look like to change that? [[33:05]]
3. The story of Achan shows that holding back from God can have consequences beyond ourselves. Is there something you’re holding back from God that might be affecting your family or community? What would it take to surrender it? [[44:02]]
4. The sermon shared a personal story about tithing even when it was hard, and how God provided in an unexpected way. Have you ever experienced God’s provision after stepping out in trust? If not, what’s holding you back from taking that step? [[56:52]]
5. The principle of first and best applies to more than money. In your career, relationships, or studies, is there a specific area where you need to put God first? What’s one step you can take this week to do that? [[50:13]]
6. The sermon said, “Anything you want God to bless must be surrendered to Him first.” Is there something in your life you want God to bless, but you haven’t fully surrendered it? What would surrender look like for you? [[50:37]]
7. King David recognized that everything he gave was already God’s. How might adopting this mindset change your attitude toward generosity and possessions? [[59:23]]