Daily Bible Verse - 1/27/2008 - Proverbs 3:9

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;

Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce;

Proverbs 3:9

Commentary
A biblical view of possessions demands using them for honoring God. This is accomplished by trusting God (v. 5); by giving the first and best to God ("firstfruits"; cf. Ex. 22:29; 23:19; Deut. 18:4); by being fair (vv. 27, 28); by giving generously (11:25); and by expressing gratitude for all He gives (Deut. 6:9-11). The result of such faithfulness to honor Him is prosperity and satisfaction.

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Pr 3:9). Nashville: Word Pub.

FirstFruits
The ancient Israelites gave to God the "firstfruits," the firstborn of the flocks and the first crops gathered at harvest time. These were dedicated to God by formally presenting them at the temple on the day of Pentecost (Num. 28:26). Giving to God the first and the best of one's harvest indicated a recognition that everything belonged to Him.

Thomas Nelson Publishers. (2001). What does the Bible say about-- : The ultimate A to Z resource fully illustrated. Nelson's A to Z series (383). Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson.

Daily Bible Verse - 1/26/2008 - Matthew 6:31-33

So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

"Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "

Matthew 6:31-33

Commentary
The conclusion is that we should not spend our lives in anxious pursuit of food, drink, and clothing for the future.

The unconverted Gentileslive for the mad accumulation of material things, as if food and clothing were the whole of life. But it should not be so with Christians, who have a heavenly Father who knows their basic needs.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Mt 6:31). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.