BIBLE WAY MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

  DR. W.G (WILL) JACKSON, II, SENIOR PASTOR

BIBLE STUDY- September 4, 2024

STEWARDSHIP EMPHASIS MONTH

“We Are Seeking First Fruit Givers!”

“In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” 

Psalm 5:3 NIV 

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” 

Matthew 6:33 

We have been talking about “first fruits.” 

It is the power of firsts. The power of priority. There is also a practical element to this as well. It is a really simple but powerful principle for life -do first whatever you want to put first. In other words, whatever you desire to make a priority in your life, prioritize first on your calendar. And in your day. So often in my life, what I claim as most important - my health, relationships, spirituality - these become the leftovers “if I have time” after everything else. 

Maybe you’ve seen the big rocks illustration.

A glass cylinder, grains of sand, big rocks. In one example, the grains are poured in first, and then the big rocks try to be added but they do not fit. In the following example, the big rocks go in first, then all the sand is poured in, and - amazingly - the sand all fits and slides in around the rocks. 

This principle works for life as well. When we put big rocks first - spend time with God in the morning BEFORE anything else, tithe and give off our paycheck BEFORE we spend anything, prioritize church first thing in the week BEFORE the other days - God’s Spirit has space and a way of ordering everything else. Our days begin to take on purpose and blessing and we grow in our faith. 

Another translation of Matthew 6:33 says it something like this - “seek God first and He will order everything else in your life.” 

II Corinthians‬ 9‬:6‬-7‬ NKJV

6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 

7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of [c]necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

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Luke 6:38 NKJV

38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

What if, during this STEWARDSHIP EMPHASIS MONTH, in just one area you took this challenge? - SCRIPTURE BEFORE PHONE.

Before you touch news or social media or texts in the morning, take just 5 - 10 minutes to read over Scripture, pray, and let God’s Spirit and words pour over your soul.