Thursday

Whenever I get money for my birthday (yes, I am a working adult, and I still receive gifts of money), I turn to my Amazon list. I am constantly building a list of items I want: action figures, books, devices, whatever makes me happy. This list is always being adjusted, so whenever I get extra cash, I think about how I can finally get something off my wishlist. This verse tells us to do the opposite. We are to turn our thoughts from ourselves and towards God whenever we receive anything. It’s more than money or physical things. When we recognize our gifts, the things we are good at, we can ask ourselves, “How can I use these gifts to serve God?” or “How can I use these gifts to serve others?” God wants us to move from selfish thinking to selfless thinking, making our first move with what we receive to share it outwardly.

How can you give God your first fruits?