Putting God First: A Call to Generosity and Trust

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting God with All Your Heart and Ways

True spiritual freedom begins by putting God first in every area of life, not just in words but in daily choices, including our finances. When we trust in the Lord with all our heart and refuse to lean on our own understanding, we acknowledge that our wisdom is limited and that God’s ways are higher. Submitting every part of our lives to Him—our thoughts, habits, and resources—brings health and nourishment to our souls. This is a lifelong journey of surrender, where we continually ask God to search our hearts and show us where He is not yet first. [44:04]

Proverbs 3:5-10 (ESV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

Reflection: What is one area of your life—besides Sunday worship—where you have not fully trusted God or put Him first? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him this week?

Day 2: Generosity Beyond Obligation

God’s heart for generosity goes beyond the minimum; He calls us to care for those in need, not just through tithing but by leaving room in our lives and resources for others. The Old Testament law of gleaning teaches us to intentionally set aside for the poor, the foreigner, and the widow, reminding us that everything we have is from God and meant to bless others. This kind of generosity is not about checking a box but about reflecting God’s own generous nature and trusting Him to provide as we give. [51:32]

Leviticus 19:9-10 (ESV)
9 “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest.
10 And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.”

Reflection: Who in your community or neighborhood could benefit from your generosity this week? How can you intentionally “leave the edges” of your resources for someone in need?

Day 3: Complete Surrender as True Worship

In the New Testament, God calls us not just to give a portion, but to offer our whole selves—our actions, desires, time, and resources—as a living sacrifice. True worship is not limited to singing or giving, but is found in daily surrender, where every part of our lives is placed on the altar for God’s use. This means honoring God with our finances, our relationships, our work, and our choices, recognizing that everything we have belongs to Him and is to be used for His glory. [54:50]

Romans 12:1 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can offer yourself as a living sacrifice to God today—whether in your time, your energy, or your resources?

Day 4: Faith Gives First, Not Last

Giving to God is not about leftovers or what is convenient; it is an act of faith that puts Him first, trusting Him to provide before we see the outcome. When we give the first and best of what we have, we declare that God is our source and provider, not our own efforts or circumstances. This kind of faith is pleasing to God and opens the door for His blessing—not always in material ways, but in the deep assurance and joy that comes from trusting Him fully. [58:07]

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Reflection: When you consider your giving—of time, money, or talents—do you give God your first and best, or what is left over? What step can you take this week to put Him first in a tangible way?

Day 5: Testing God’s Promise of Provision

God invites us to test Him by bringing the whole tithe into the storehouse, promising to open the floodgates of heaven and pour out blessing. This is not a prosperity guarantee, but a call to trust God’s faithfulness and experience His provision as we honor Him with our first and best. When we step out in obedience, we discover that God’s blessings may not always look like what we expect, but they are always exactly what we need. [01:01:43]

Malachi 3:10 (ESV)
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

Reflection: Are you willing to take God at His word and “test” Him in the area of giving? What fears or doubts do you need to bring to God in prayer as you consider honoring Him with your first and best?

Sermon Summary

We live in a world where information and opinions come at us from every direction, often leaving us feeling heavy, distracted, and even divided. Yet, in the midst of all this noise, we are called to remember that we serve a sovereign Lord who gave everything for us—even while we were still sinners. None of us have it all figured out, and our calling is not to win arguments or prove ourselves right, but to point people to God and allow the Holy Spirit to search our own hearts first. This means being willing to acknowledge where we might be wrong, where our beliefs or attitudes need to change, and where we need to grow in grace and humility.

At the heart of our faith is the call to put God first in every area of our lives, including our finances. The question we must continually ask ourselves is: Is God truly first in my life? Not just on Sundays, not just in our habits or prayers, but in every aspect—including our wallets. Proverbs teaches us that trusting God with all our hearts and honoring Him with our wealth brings health and blessing, not as a prosperity formula, but as a reflection of God’s generous nature and our trust in Him.

Giving is not about money; it’s about faith and trust. In the Old Testament, tithing was the law—the floor, not the ceiling. God’s heart was always for generosity that went beyond the minimum, caring for the poor and the vulnerable. In the New Testament, the call is even higher: complete surrender. We are invited to offer everything—our time, energy, resources, and finances—as worship to God. Tithing is not an act of generosity, but of obedience, returning to God what is already His.

God never wanted our leftovers; He asks for our first and our best, because giving first is an act of faith. When we put God first, we declare our trust in Him as our provider, even when we don’t know what the future holds. This is not about giving to get rich, but about experiencing freedom, trust, and spiritual authority. The challenge before us is simple but profound: to pray and consider committing to tithing for two months, trusting God to provide and to bless as we honor Him with our first and our best.

Key Takeaways

1. The call to self-examination is foundational to spiritual growth. Rather than focusing on where others need to change, we are invited to ask the Holy Spirit to search our own hearts, revealing areas where our beliefs, attitudes, or actions may be misaligned with God’s heart. True humility is found in acknowledging that we are all still learning and in need of grace. [36:11]
2. Our generosity is rooted in God’s own nature. We were created in His image, and part of that image is a heart of generosity. When we give, we are not merely following a rule, but reflecting the character of our Father, who gave first and gave best in Jesus. This transforms giving from a duty into an act of worship and identity. [46:30]
3. The biblical principle of “first” is about faith, not formula. God asks for our first and our best—not because He needs it, but because it is an act of trust. Giving first, before we know how everything will work out, is a declaration that God is our source and provider, and that we trust Him above our own understanding or security. [58:07]
4. The New Testament call to surrender is total. While the Old Testament tithe set a minimum, the New Testament invites us to offer everything—our whole selves—as living sacrifices. This means that every part of our lives, including our finances, is to be placed under God’s authority, not out of compulsion, but as a response to His mercy and love. [54:50]
5. Obedience in giving leads to spiritual freedom and blessing, but not always in the ways we expect. God’s promise is not a guarantee of material wealth, but of His provision, presence, and blessing in our lives. When we honor God with our first and our best, we open ourselves to His work in us and through us, experiencing the joy and freedom that comes from trusting Him fully. [63:33]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[33:27] - The Weight of the World and Social Media
[33:54] - Remembering God’s Sovereignty and Grace
[35:18] - Conversations Like Jesus
[36:11] - Inviting the Holy Spirit to Search Us
[37:39] - Praying for Grace and Self-Examination
[39:21] - The “One More” Heart and Sacrifice
[40:45] - Is God Truly First in My Life?
[42:59] - Trusting God and the Prescription for Life
[44:58] - Giving: Faith, Trust, and the Heart of God
[46:30] - Created for Generosity
[49:38] - Old Testament Law vs. New Testament Grace
[53:50] - The Call to Complete Surrender
[56:09] - Shifting Our Mindset: Returning, Not Giving
[58:07] - First Means Faith
[60:57] - The Two-Month Tithing Challenge
[63:33] - God’s Promise: Blessing and Provision
[67:00] - Next Steps and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Proverbs 3:5-10 (ESV) — > 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
> 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
> 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
> 8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
> 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
> 10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

Malachi 3:10 (ESV) — > Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

Romans 12:1 (ESV) — > I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Observation Questions

According to Proverbs 3:5-10, what are some specific ways we are called to trust and honor God? What is the connection between trusting God and honoring Him with our wealth? ([41:44])
In Malachi 3:10, what does God invite His people to do, and what promise does He attach to this invitation? ([01:01:43])
How does Romans 12:1 describe the kind of worship God desires from us? What does it mean to be a “living sacrifice”? ([54:50])
The sermon mentioned that tithing in the Old Testament was the “floor, not the ceiling.” What additional acts of generosity were commanded beyond the tithe? ([50:29])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God specifically asks for the “firstfruits” or the “first and best” rather than leftovers? What does this reveal about His heart and our relationship with Him? ([58:07])
The sermon said that giving is not about money, but about faith and trust. How does giving our first and best demonstrate faith in God as our provider? ([44:58])
In what ways does the New Testament call to “complete surrender” go beyond the Old Testament law of tithing? How might this challenge our understanding of generosity? ([54:50])
The sermon challenged us to let the Holy Spirit search our hearts before focusing on where others need to change. Why is self-examination foundational to spiritual growth? ([36:11])

Application Questions

The sermon began by acknowledging the “weight of the world” and the distractions of social media. Is there a specific area in your life where outside noise or opinions are making it hard to focus on God? What is one step you could take this week to quiet that noise? ([33:27])
When you think about your finances, is there any area where you find it hard to trust God fully? What would it look like to honor God with your “first and best” in that area? ([41:44])
The sermon described tithing as an act of obedience, not generosity, and encouraged a two-month tithing challenge. How do you feel about the idea of committing to tithe for two months? What fears or hesitations come up for you? ([01:00:57])
The pastor said, “God never wanted our leftovers; He asks for our first and our best, because giving first is an act of faith.” Can you think of a time when you gave God your leftovers instead of your best? What would it look like to change that pattern? ([58:07])
The sermon emphasized that generosity is part of our identity as people made in God’s image. What is one practical way you could reflect God’s generosity to someone in need this week? ([46:30])
The call to self-examination was repeated throughout the message. What is one belief, attitude, or habit you sense the Holy Spirit might be inviting you to surrender or change? ([36:11])
The promise in Malachi 3:10 is not about getting rich, but about God’s provision and blessing. How would you define “blessing” in your own life? Where have you seen God’s provision when you have chosen to trust Him? ([01:03:33])

Sermon Clips

``We were created in God's image. That's clear in Scripture. We were created to reflect Him, His nature, His character, and His heart. And part of God's nature from the very beginning is generosity. He gave first. He gave His best. He gave everything in Jesus. So when we give, we put Him first. When we walk in faith, we're not just obeying a rule. We're reflecting our Father. We're living out our identity as image bearers of the most generous, most loving God. We were created to give. It's part of our makeup. [00:46:03] (46 seconds) #CreatedToGive

We do not give so that we will get. But we also don't ignore the promises of God. When God says he will bless you, he will bless you. When God says he will bless you, he will bless you. Now, it may not look like what you want it to look like. But it will be what you need. This shows God's heart for generosity, for provision. It is worship. That's right. It's worship. [00:51:46] (35 seconds) #GodBlessesFaithfully

The New Testament shows us that it's 100%. Oh, I'm going to go back to the Old Testament. New Testament says it's 100%. What? Okay, let's look. Romans 12 .1. Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This is your true and proper worship. Dying to ourselves. Offering. Listen, but we need to hear this. The body here represents the whole self. It's your actions, your desire, your energy, your daily life. He's saying offer everything that you are, everything that you do, everything that you have to God. That's what this is saying. This is your true and proper worship. [00:54:18] (50 seconds) #TotalSurrenderWorship

We have to shift our mind though when we look at this. We have to shift our mind. It's not giving. Okay? It's language that we use. And we're not going to change how we talk about this at Gateway. We're not going to get weird and legalistic over the language that we use. But listen, we need to understand that it is not giving. I'm not being generous when I put my 10 % in the offering basket or give it online or however you do it. I'm not being generous. I'm being obedient. Right? God has given us 100 % of what we have. 100 % comes from God. I'm not giving God anything. I'm giving back. I'm returning. Right? It's a little mindset shift that we need to make. Right? We don't own anything. [00:56:12] (41 seconds) #GivingIsObedience

So when we give, we're not being generous. We're being faithful. We're not donating. We're returning to God what is his. So tithing is not generosity. It's obedience. This is the system that God set up. So as we're talking about, okay, what does God actually want me to do? Look at what we have and say, God, what is the system that you set up? How can I honor you? How can I worship you through this? And then we go in that direction. [00:57:36] (31 seconds) #ReturningGodsOwnership

We know that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And we know that God never wanted leftovers, and he still doesn't. He asks for our first and our best. Because first means faith. First means faith. Hebrews 11, 6, the first part of that says, Without faith it is impossible to please God. Without faith it is impossible to please God. So putting God first takes faith. Because we're trusting him before you see the result. This is where the rubber meets the road. We're trusting God before we know what's going to happen. [00:58:07] (43 seconds) #FaithRequiresPuttingGodFirst

So when you put God first, you're saying that, God, I believe you. You are the source. I trust you to provide. I honor you first. So before I pay a bill, before I buy anything, before I splurge on myself, I plan and I give to you. Oh. But I don't know if I'm going to have three flat tires this month. I don't know if my car is going to break down. I don't know what's going to happen. That's why it's called faith. Because we don't know what's going to happen, but we are saying that we trust God first. [00:59:38] (41 seconds) #TrustGodBeforeResults

This is the only place in Scripture where it says, test me. And see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven, and pour out so much blessing, that there will not be room enough to store it. That's what I want to see. Now, here's what it's not saying. The bank is going to call you and say, you're going to have to start another account because we don't have enough room for all of your money. If that happens, I want to hear that story. But I bet that's not what's going to happen here. But what it says is this. I will throw open the floodgates of heaven. [01:02:18] (40 seconds) #TestGodsBlessings

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