JANUARY 7

PROVERBS 3:9-10

GIVE OUR BEST TO THE LORD

God’s people were taught to tithe. at means one-tenth of what they receive belongs to the Lord and they must offer to the Lord. Some children happily put 10 % of their weekly pocket money into the offering bag at Church every Sunday. at is pleasing to the Lord for God loves a cheerful giver.

Suppose you win a cash prize of $200 for an essay competition, how will you spend the money? Will you first think of showing your gratitude to God for making you a winner? Then do as Prov 3:9 says, "Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase" Or will you say, "Uhm! It has been hard work for me. Therefore I must first reward myself with that Nintendo Wii play station. I must persuade Dad to pay the balance! I am sure God will not mind. He can wait for my next win."

Do you know that God told His people to give the first fruits of their harvests to Him? After they had harvested their crops they set aside the rst and best for the Lord. God does not need these grains or lambs but He wants us to think of Him first, and He wants us to love Him more than anything else. Will God be pleased if you place Him last in your heart? When you ask God for something, would you like the answer, "Next time, my child!"?

How would you choose to use your weekly pocket money of $20 if you want to honour God? Tick the plan of your choice
        (        ) Plan A              or             (         ) Plan B
Buy food in the canteen $12       Offering in church           $ 2
Buy drinks                    $ 5        Buy food from canteen    $10
Buy snacks, pens         $ 3        Buy snacks, pens             $ 4
Offering in church         $ 0        Buy a drink once only       $ 1
                                               (carry a water-bottle)
                                               Save/give to the needy     $ 3

Thought: O ering to the Lord our best is worship.

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, the Lord of heaven and earth, teach me to honour thee by giving You the best from what I have received from You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.