The theme of last Friday’s Proverb, was man’s ego, and the idea that we should trust God before anything or anyone else – including ourselves. Today the theme is honoring God without reservation.
9 Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
Honoring the Lord with your substance means something deeper than throwing money in the basket every week. Your substance could be in reality – entirely different than actual money. We all need to realize that the Lord knows what is most important to each and everyone of us. If we have something, that we selfishly guard and hold to ourselves – that is not honoring to the Lord.
- You may have a talent that you are very proud of. That is part of your substance. If it is easier for you to throw a couple dollars in the basket, than to give your talent – you are not honoring God.
- You may make a great deal of money. If it is easy for you to write large checks to charity, or cover the church roof fund – that is not your substance. It may make you feel good, and even proud, but it is not honoring the Lord.
What are the “firstfruits”? It could be anything! It’s not just when you get a raise in pay- it is anything the Lord has added unto you.
10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Proverbs: 3:9-10
Your barn may be your kitchen cabinets and refrigerator. Notice that the Lord never promises gold. He promises what will sustain you. He promises what you really need – not what you think you need.
How about the presses full of “new wine?” This will disappoint some, but the wine here is not fermented. “Tirosh,” (in the Hebrew) or “unfermented wine,” is health- giving purple grape juice. So much, in fact – that it is bursting out of its container. This is very important symbolically. Flowing new wine is mentioned throughout prophecy as being part of Christ’s millennial reign.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord, and shall water the valley of Shittim.
Joel 3:18
- Honor the Lord with what is most important to you.
- Honor the Lord with anything He has added unto you.
- Honor the Lord with your best.
If you do those things, the Word says that you will be blessed. Not with wealth! Remember that God told Abram that He, God Himself, was Abram’s reward. Anything else is fleshly and material. Even in the face of calamity and affliction, the Christian must keep in mind that God always sends what is needed. If chastening is needed – that too is a blessing. Your barns will be filled with plenty. But remember – your barn – is not the same as anyone else’s barn. It is unique to you.
The Vine Vigil 