Putting God First: A Call to Generosity and Trust

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

1. 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])
2. In Malachi 3:10, what does God invite His people to do, and what promise does He attach to this invitation? ([01:01:43])
3. 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])
4. 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])

1. 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])
2. 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])
3. 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])
4. 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])

1. 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])
2. 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])
3. 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])
4. 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])
5. 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])
6. 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])
7. 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])