Giving God What is First, Not What is Left

 

We have heard the idiomatic expression to ‘give someone leftovers.’ It means to give what remains after the best, the first, and most important have been spent elsewhere. While this is common in many areas of life, tragically, many give God leftovers.

 

Priority Issue: One way we give God leftovers is by putting our needs and desires first and giving Him what remains. We plan our day around what must be done or what we want to do, then give God what’s left, which is usually little, if anything. When balancing life’s priorities, God calls us to make Him first and plan everything else around Him. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” meaning not first on a list, but first in importance. When God is first, we plan around Him.

 

Less than Best: Another way we give God leftovers is by giving Him less than our best even when we do give. Our attention, focus, and energy are spent elsewhere, leaving things like prayer, Scripture reading, and reflection rushed and half-hearted. The Bible’s principle of firstfruits reminds us to give God the best. David understood this, saying, ‘I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing’ (2 Samuel 24:24). If he was going to give, it would be sacrificial, nothing less than the best. Giving God our first means giving Him our best in every area.

 

No Intentional Place: A final way we give God leftovers is by fitting Him into the gaps of our schedule. He is not planned for, only worked in when it is convenient. The truth is, it is never convenient, and God is rarely worked in. When it comes to intentionally giving God a place in our lives, we look to Daniel, who ‘knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed… as was his custom since early days’ (Daniel 6:10). This habit was intentional, showing that time with God is not a matter of convenience, but built into everyday life.

 

God, may we never give You the leftovers in life. Instead, help us to make You first, give You our best, and intentionally give You a place in our lives.

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Written by Craig Ressler