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But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won't he much more clothe you, you of little faith? Therefore don't be anxious, saying, 'What will we eat?', 'What will we drink?' or, 'With what will we be clothed?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first God's Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:30 WEB

Jesus said 'seek first the kingdom of God and these things (material things) will be added to you.' Elijah told the widow, 'first make me a little cake and afterward make something for yourself' (1 Kings 17:13). God said, 'bring all the tithes into the storehouse and then I will bless you' (Mal 3:10). Jesus said, 'Give (first) and it will be given to you (later)' (Luke 6:38).

God's love is unconditional, He loves the entire world (John 3:16), but His blessings throughout the Bible depend on our obedience to His word. 'You do this, and I will do that.' Even John 3:16 contains a choice with 'whoever believes in Him' meaning that some will choose the other path.

Obedience is the ultimate form of praise and the fruit of faith. It proves that you believe enough to take action on it. We work so hard trying to just make ends meet, but unless we put Him first financially we will always have holes in our pockets (Hagai 1:6). When we choose obedience, He will rain His blessings on us (Deuteronomy 28:12).

So many times while joyfully serving God, I have received things beyond what I thought was possible. God really knows how to be extravagant and it brings tears to my eyes at times, seeing His excellence and timing.

As a young Christian, I worked a job making $250 a week. One Sunday I went up front to put my $25 tithe in the offering basket. The fact that we could not afford to give was irrelevant to me. I felt that 'God is either real, or He is not. Why pretend with words, let's do this right or go home. God said to test Him ( Mal.3:10), and I will.' When I got home later and sat down to read my Bible, I found that someone had slipped $250 cash inside it while I was up front. I gave Him ten percent and He gave me tenfold the same day.

Another time I gave $40 in an offering and the preacher prayed a blessing over the basket that it would all be returned one-hundred fold. Within a month someone gave me $4,000 dollars to help me buy a car. I gave $40, God multiplied it one-hundred times and gave it back in a month.

These are not normal occurrences, they are examples of the blessing of God that follows obedience to His word. I am telling you this because it is real and we live it in our own life, yet I see so many of you struggling just to get by. There is not enough money on earth to help you when God Himself blows it away when it comes to your house (Hagai 1:9). The word of God is true. God is not dead, nor is He blind, also He is pretty good at math. A 100% return on 0, will always be 0. Give first, and it will be given to you later, or learn to embrace poverty.

He wants first place in our life, in all areas. Relationships, finances, decisions. When we focus on the Lord Jesus, everything else will fall into its proper place. When a husband and wife truly place the Lord first, they will be in unity. When you give God first place in your relationships, you will treat others correctly. When we instead place ourselves and our wants first, it always ends in division and frustration.

When we all begin to put God first in our life, we will come to unity in spirit and the things that divide us will no longer matter. Denominational barriers will gradually melt away because we all love God, and we need each other. If satan has his way, every single person will be cut off from God and from each other. We would all be alone in a dark room with no hope and no friends. It is divide and conquer at its finest because he knows there is strength in numbers.

In all areas of our life, God wants to be first, and when you do He will bless you beyond what you think is possible. God is always looking for ways to bless us, but it often requires a step of faith on our part to get it started. Give the Lord first place in your life in all areas, follow His gentle prompting, for faith without works is dead (James 2:26). The greatest blessing awaits those willing to step out on the water.

Prayer: Father, I adore You and pray that You make this word real to me. Rain on me Lord and lead me into all that You have. Help me to break out of the normal cycle. Grow my faith Lord and help me walk closer to You, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.