Honor. What does it mean? To hold in high regard, to respect, to do nothing that sheds a bad light on someone or something.
The opposite is dishonor, or to bring shame. To discredit the good someone has done, to disrespect them or mock them. To refuse to give them the praise they are due.
So, what does the Word mean in Proverbs 3:9 ESV:
“Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce.”
Let’s use one of our honor antonyms to restate this verse.
“Don’t bring shame on the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce.”
Don’t bring shame …
“I give to the church. I can spend the rest however I want.”
“Who cares how I invest my money? The more I make, the more I can bless the church.”
“If I gamble enough I’ll hit the jackpot and can make it up to my family.”
“Party! Why do you think God gave me this good job?”
How do we honor God?
First, we take care of our responsibilities. Spouse, children, house payment, church …
When people look at us, they must see that God is important to us, that we hold the Word in high regard, and we refuse to do anything that would shed a bad light on our relationship with him.
That’s family, finances, or personal choices. No shame, no disrespect, no ignoring the Biblical directives we’ve been given in the Word.
When we honor God with our morning and our evening, our health and our finances, our spouse and our children, the world notices. We bring honor to God when we lift him up in praise, and we let others see that he holds a place of high importance in our lives.
Let’s live like Jesus is important to us. The world is watching. Let’s be careful what they see.
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