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Day Two: Keeping God First

Giving God our first begins with an attitude of gratitude. When we acknowledge that everything we have is His to begin with and we are just stewards of what He has entrusted to us, it makes giving back to God what is already His a lifestyle.

Often, when people think about giving God their “firsts,” thoughts automatically shift to money and giving God a tithe (or 10%) of their paycheck. While this is a command God gave in the Old Testament (Malachi 3:10), which He continues to expect us to obey today, if our mindset is only giving God the first 10% of our paycheck, we’re missing out on so much more.

One such example is in Matthew 25: 14-30, where Jesus preaches about the parable of the talents. The main theme of the parable is to encourage people to steward the talents God gives us. When we show Him we can be faithful with what we are given, we are rewarded with being given more. The flip side is also taught in the parable. If we choose not to steward our talents or steward them poorly, they can be taken away and given to someone else who has shown her faithfulness.

What exactly are the talents referred to in the parable? They are the areas of our lives in which God has blessed us and assigned us to take care of and properly manage. They include but are not limited to our bodies, money, marriage, children (if we choose to get married and have been blessed with children), friendships, possessions, hobbies, ministries, and gifts and abilities. These can include anything from a great singing voice to being a stellar businesswoman to the gift of encouragement, hospitality, or teaching/preaching. I like to refer to these areas in our lives as things that naturally come easy to us but not necessarily to everyone else.

I try to live with an attitude of gratitude. Everything I have is His. Every blessing that is in my life came from Him and was provided by Him. He already knows about every trial I'm facing, that it has already been taken care of (even if I can’t see the answer yet), and has a lesson for me to learn if I simply ask Him to show it to me.

I didn’t always live a life of gratitude. I regret that I used to live with a negative spirit that adversely affected everyone around me. I always had the desire to see the glass as half full, but in reality, I portrayed the lifestyle of one whose life was half empty. God knew I desired to grow and began changing my heart a few years before He brought my Sister in Christ into my life. He introduced me to the idea of a “Blessings Journal,” and it was only after multiple people encouraged me to start keeping one that I eventually began.

That was the beginning of my heart shift. When I began focusing on the blessings in my life instead of everything that was going wrong (according to me), my attitude changed as well. I began to see the blessings God gives us every day – and I saw how active and involved God is in my life. Once I figured out the truth, it was easy to want to give back to God what was His to begin with … and to desire to take care of the blessings He has loaned me – my husband, my children, my friendships, my ability to work, my house and my paycheck, not to mention all the extras He provides as well. With that shift in mindset, I gladly start my day with my Father, continue my day with a running commentary to Him, and end my day thanking Him and handing off my worries.

Small positive choices performed consistently make lasting changes that produce giant blessings. Is that something you already practice regularly, or is it something you can see yourself implementing into your day?

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for today and all that You have for me. Help me to consciously give You my firsts in every area of my life – income, time, family, friendships, gifts, talents, and strengths. Thank You for all the wonderful ways You will show up today and use me to encourage others.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen