EVERY New Year!

 

As many of Become Church is recommitting to Put God First in the New Year, this page is designed to provide scripture foundation on how we honor God through our giving during the beginning of the year.

 

 

God always judges intentions and motives; thus, we should always commit to honor God with the following three things at the beginning of each year

:

1. Fasting – presenting the body in sacrifice.

“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.” Matthew 6:16

 

 2. Prayer – communication with God.

“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.” Matthew 6:9 

 

 3. Giving – honoring God.

“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” Matthew 6:1-3

 

Using these scriptures will bring the greatest breakthrough in your life.

What is honor?

The origin of honor is God. The first person God honored was Himself. In Matthew 6:9, we find the word “hallow” which means to honor. Honor is a principle established by God to put Him first. In society, in the family, and in the church, we have seen a loss of honor. This is because we have not had an understanding of the principle.

 

Honor means to “respect,” “revere,” “value,” “esteem,” and “consider being precious.”  For example, a son honors, respects, values, and esteems his father.  We are to honor, respect, value, esteem, and revere God.

 

When we honor God, it is evidence of spiritual maturity.

Honor must be a revelation to us. If we lack understanding of honor, we will not do it. We must have a personal revelation of what honor is because when we understand the principle of putting God first, we will perceive who the person is and what he carries in the spirit realm.

Honor is currency, as is faithfulness and loyalty.  These virtues are well rewarded in the Kingdom of God.

 

The Revelation of Honor

There are levels and measures of authority in the Kingdom. You must discern the level of the person’s authority, or you will become familiar with that person, think you are equal to him, and despise him. For example: Parents become friends with their children, and the children begin to think they are equal to their parents and no longer honor them.

 

There is an impact of revelation of honor; if you honor a prophet then the anointing, grace, and favor over their lives may come over your life.

 

Through honor you have access to what a person carries in the spirit.

You do not need to wait for an apostle to lay hands on you and impart. It begins in your hands.

Honor places a demand on what a person carries.

 

Once you understand and have revelation of the principle of honor, you must work the principle and demonstrate honor to those who are above and equal to you.

 

The First fruit Offering Honors God

“And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?” Genesis 4:3-6

 

What touched God’s heart that made Him honor Abel’s offering? Abel was the keeper of the sheep and Cain was the tiller of the ground. Abel brought the first fruit of the flock and their fat, and Cain brought an offering of fruit of the ground. The Lord honored Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. Cain brought just an offering. It involved no sacrifice.

 

What is an offering of first fruits?

A first fruit offering says, “God is first to me.” A first fruit offering is made from a place of sacrifice. Abel brought his first fruit offering from a place of sacrifice. It goes beyond normal giving; above what you usually give.

 

When you put God second, you give from a place of convenience. It is not a sacrifice to you, and it is not a sacrifice to God. That which is not a sacrifice to you will not be a sacrifice to God.

 

Honor puts to work the law of exchange.

“Therefore the Lord God of Israel says: ‘I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.’ But now the Lord says: ‘Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.” 1 Samuel 2:30 

Abel made a spiritual offering from a sacrifice. The blood offering represented something that cost him something, and that cost was beyond normal. Something had to die for something to live.

 

“Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10  

 

The first fruit offering is the root that governs the rest.

What you do with the first portion will determine what happens the rest of the year.

A first fruit offering has the power of redemption; anything left will be multiplied by God. A first fruit offering brings favor. You cannot have favor until you honor God.

 

Honor God this month as the first month of your New Year, and everything you receive for the rest of the year will be increased and multiplied. Any first fruit offering that you give will be multiplied; all that is stolen will be lost. If the first fruit offering is holy, the rest will also be holy. It will insure your finances, protect you, rebuke the devourer, and more. You had increase, blessing, and favor last year; now, honor God with your first fruit!