Proverbs 3:9

“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase.”

Context:The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings and instructions written primarily by King Solomon, known for his wisdom. Proverbs provides practical guidance for living a righteous and successful life, rooted in the fear and reverence of the Lord.

Honoring the Lord:The verse begins with the instruction to “Honour the LORD.” Honoring the Lord involves recognizing His supreme authority, giving Him respect, reverence, and obedience in every aspect of life. This includes acknowledging His lordship over our possessions and resources.

Substance and Increase:The verse goes on to say, “with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase.” Substance refers to the wealth, possessions, or material resources that God has blessed us with. Increase refers to the growth or abundance that comes as a result of our labor or investments.

Firstfruits:The concept of firstfruits refers to the first and best portion of our income or produce. In ancient agricultural societies, the Israelites were instructed to offer the firstfruits of their harvest to God as an act of gratitude and acknowledgement of His provision.

Practical Application:Proverbs 3:9 teaches us the principle of putting God first in our finances and resources. It encourages us to honor the Lord by dedicating a portion of our substance and the firstfruits of our increase to Him. This act of giving demonstrates our trust in God’s provision and acknowledges that all we have comes from Him.

• Principles of Stewardship:Honoring God with our substance and firstfruits is rooted in the biblical principle of stewardship. As stewards, we recognize that everything we possess ultimately belongs to God, and we are called to manage these resources faithfully and responsibly.
• Giving as Worship:Offering our substance and firstfruits to the Lord is a form of worship. It is an expression of gratitude, trust, and devotion to God. Through this act of giving, we acknowledge that He is the source of all blessings and that we are dependent on Him.

New Testament Application:While Proverbs is primarily an Old Testament book, we can find similar principles of giving in the New Testament. In 1 Corinthians 16:2, the apostle Paul encourages believers to set aside a portion of their income on the first day of the week for the support of God’s work. This reflects the idea of firstfruits and prioritizing God in our finances.