How Do We Honor God?

Last week I attended a Bible Study where the topic of discussion was about honoring God with your finances. Our assignment for the previous week was to track and make record of every penny we spent. At the end of the lesson we were able to reflect on the items we purchased and evaluate whether or not we were honoring God with our money. I enjoyed the lesson and I want to share it with everyone but I want to apply this concept to our every day lives.

How can we honor God daily?

First let's cover the financial topic. When I think of honoring God with my money, some of the things that come to mind are: not recklessly spending money, managing my money wisely, and obeying God's Word in tithing. So when we honor God with our money we are being obedient and responsible. My definition of reckless spending is getting a paycheck and just blowing it on anything and everything you see just because you can and without thinking of the consequences. To manage your money means to plan ahead; make sure your bills and responsibilities are taken care of before making miscellaneous purchases. God's Word says to tithe your earnings to the storehouse (the church); Malachi 3:10. So when you obey God's Word you are honoring Him as well. {One of my previous posts "A Daily Thank You" also talks about tithing if you want to check it out!}

When I think of how I can honor God with my other belongings, I believe I should put Him first. We should also honor God with our bodies but that's a post for another time. :) It is important for us to remember that the things we have don't belong to us. They are actually gifts from God. The money you make isn't yours because God blessed you with that job and the hours to make that money. Everything belongs to God because He created everything. Think of this lesson like this: Imagine you gave someone a gift and you often witnessed them abusing that gift or gifts. I can only speak for myself and say that I wouldn't like that at all. I would feel like my gifts were not appreciated and thus not be willing to give them anymore. So when God blesses you with gifts, whether it be money, clothes, a car, a new job, a house, etc be sure to honor Him and not take your blessings for granted. God gives and He can take away.

We can meditate on the words of David in 1 Chronicles 29:10-14. Scripture says:

*10 David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, Lord , the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. 11 Yours, Lord , is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord , is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.   13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand*.

Isn't that such a good Word?! I love it! David gives us a perfect example of what it means to honor God & he helps us to see that everything is truly God's.

We must learn how to honor God in our every day lives and with everything we have. Still not sure how to honor God? Pray and ask God to show you how you can honor Him.

         Be Blessed*Be Encouraged*Be Edified