Last time we looked at this big picture formula for moving your life forward…

Principles + Faith + Obedience

It really starts with the principles. I’ve heard people say that God’s Word is a roadmap. That’s a great way to describe it. The Bible helps us with the steps we need to take to move forward, from point A to point B. Since finances are a struggle for a lot of people (at church, the most common prayer request is for financial breakthrough), let me give a few of the great financial principles in God’s Word. Sorry this post is a little long, but it’s good stuff…

The Principle of Diligence – meaning, we don’t quit, no matter what. We keep doing the right thing and eventually we will reap.

Proverbs 10:4 – Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.

Another great passage is Hebrews 6:10-12. You should check it out. I love the first line – God is not unjust; he will not forget your work. That’s true, you know. God is watching you diligently work. I know you might think that nothing seems to be happening, but there is something happening. You just haven’t seen it yet. Keep working! Don’t give up!

The Principle of First Things – this is huge and all over the Bible. Do a little study, it’s everywhere: the firstborn, the Sabbath, Jericho. Here’s the essence of the principle – God wants the first part of everything. It’s our way of showing devotion and allegiance to Him. Then He promises to take care of the rest. It’s a great deal.

In the area of our finances, there are 2 really clear components to this principle…

Tithing – giving the first 10% of our income to God via the local church. Pretty clear cut and simple. When we consistently tithe, God promises to throw open the floodgates of heaven and bless our lives (Malachi 3:10). Pretty cool.

First Fruits – this one is a little different. Here’s how it worked for the Israelites. As soon as the harvest started to come in, they were commanded to grab the first sheaf that popped out and bring it to the priest as an offering. So, it’s not the tithe, because they couldn’t tithe until the harvest was in. It was literally “the first of the first” asking God for His favor on their harvest and all that was ahead…

Leviticus 23:9-10 – The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter the land I am going to give you and you reap its harvest, bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain you harvest.’ “

Exodus 23:19 – The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God.

We’re actually practicing this principle this weekend through our Miracle Offering. It’s a First Fruits Offering, a way of asking God to bless our 2008. Even before we’ve received our first paycheck in 2008, we’re giving a First Fruits offering. We’re asking God for His favor on our harvest and all that is ahead for us.

Don’t forget you have to mix it with faith. As we’ve prepared for the offering this weekend, we’ve asked everyone to come expecting a miracle. That’s called faith. And then we add obedience. Good intentions aren’t enough.

Let me encourage you to prepare the best First Fruits offering you can and bring it this Sunday. God’s principles work. As you prepare, be obedient to what He speaks to your heart to give. And come in faith, come expecting. It’s going to be awesome.