“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.”

— Proverbs 3:9–10 (ESV)

For many years, I believed that honoring God with my finances started and ended with the tithe—the first 10%. And while the tithe is a good and biblical practice, the Lord has been gently challenging me not to stop there. In fact, He’s been showing me that true stewardship isn’t about giving a portion, but surrendering everything.

When we read Proverbs 3:9–10, we’re reading a portion of wisdom literature—a father instructing his son to live a life that trusts and honors God. Verse 9 commands us to “honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce.” This would have meant giving the first and best of the harvest, an act of trust that placed God above personal security or self-preservation. The firstfruits were a statement: “Lord, You come first.”

But when we apply deeper understanding (hermeneutics)—asking what it meant then and what it means now—we realize this passage doesn’t limit “honoring” to the firstfruits alone. It begins there, but it doesn’t end there. The phrase “honor the Lord with your wealth” covers the totality of our resources. It means our entire financial life—how we earn, spend, save, invest, and give—is under the lordship of Christ.

I used to treat the 90% as if it were mine to manage however I pleased. After all, I gave my 10%, right? But that’s a shallow view of stewardship. If God is truly Lord of all, then all of it must be surrendered. He’s not just concerned about our giving—He’s concerned about our living.

How I use the 90% reveals my heart just as much as how I give the 10%. Do I spend wisely? Am I content? Do I save intently? Do I invest prudently? Do I practice generosity even beyond the tithe? Do I plan for the future with wisdom? Am I a blessing to others with what remains?

The promise in verse 10—“your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine”—is not a blank check from heaven. It’s a picture of God’s faithfulness to those who live wisely and honor Him fully. It’s about sufficiency, not luxury. It’s about walking in God’s economy, not the world’s.

So today, I remind myself: the goal is not just to be a good giver, but to be a faithful steward. The 10% honors God, but so does the 90%. The tithe is an act of worship—but so is budgeting, saving, blessing others, and resisting greed.

Another thing I have to remind myself: Before I am a steward, I am first and foremost a son.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for all that You’ve entrusted to me. Teach me to honor You not just with the tithe, but with every part of my financial life. Help me to be faithful with the 10% and the 90%, knowing that all of it comes from You and belongs to You. May my financial decisions reflect trust, wisdom, and worship. Amen.

As I reflect on the many facets of life, one area that often gets overlooked in terms of spiritual significance is our work. It’s easy to think of worship as something that happens only on Sundays in church, but I believe work, in all its forms, is also an act of worship. When we understand this, it shifts our perspective on how we approach our jobs and, more importantly, how we engage with others in the workplace.

Work is a God-given Calling

First and foremost, let’s look at what Scripture says. In Colossians 3:23 (ESV), the apostle Paul writes, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Notice the emphasis here: “Whatever you do.” It doesn’t say only the “spiritual” tasks are important or that only ministry work is an offering to God. This verse makes it clear that all work—whether in the office, in a shop, in education, or in service—is meant to be done as if for God.

In Genesis 2:15, we read that when God created man, He placed him in the Garden of Eden “to work it and keep it.” Work was part of God’s original design for humanity, even before the fall. The work we do, then, is not something to be seen as menial or secular, but as part of our God-given purpose. In this sense, work is more than a means to an end—whether that’s financial security or career advancement. It’s a way of participating in God’s ongoing creation and care for the world.

The Workplace as a Place of Ministry

Now, if work is an act of worship, what about the workplace? Is it just a place to clock in and out, or is there more to it? In my experience, the workplace can be a powerful platform for ministry, a place where we live out our faith in real, tangible ways.

First, let’s consider the example of Jesus. When He came to earth, He didn’t start His ministry by immediately preaching in synagogues or gathering large crowds. He spent a significant portion of His life working as a carpenter. Jesus’ presence in the workplace showed us that every environment can be a place where God’s love and grace can shine through.

In Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV), Jesus calls His followers the “light of the world.” He says, “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” This applies to our workplaces too. Our actions, our attitudes, and the way we interact with others in our work environment can point people to Christ. The workplace, then, is a place where we live out our calling to be a light in the world.

Worship Through Excellence and Integrity

One of the ways our work becomes an act of worship is by doing it with excellence. Colossians 3:23 encourages us to work “heartily” as if we’re working for God. When we give our best effort, we honor God with our skills and talents. Excellence doesn’t mean perfection—it means doing the best we can with the resources and abilities God has given us. This attitude can open doors to influence others and earn their respect.

Integrity is another key aspect of worshiping through work. Proverbs 12:1 says, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” When we work with integrity, when we are honest and trustworthy, we reflect the character of God to those around us. Even in challenging situations, showing integrity can be a powerful witness to our coworkers, employees, or clients.

The Workplace as a Community

Lastly, the workplace is a place where relationships are formed—both personal and professional. We can use these relationships to minister to others. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 9:22 (ESV), shares, “I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” This principle applies in the workplace. We may not be preaching a sermon, but we can offer support, encouragement, and love in the daily interactions we have with those around us.

We may also be in a unique position to offer practical help—whether it’s assisting someone with a work-related problem or simply being a listening ear. In doing so, we can demonstrate the compassion of Christ and build genuine relationships that open the door for deeper spiritual conversations.

My thoughts

So, what does all this mean? Simply put, our work is an opportunity to worship God. It’s not just about the work itself, but about how we approach it. When we see our work as an offering to God and treat our colleagues with love, integrity, and excellence, we turn our everyday tasks into acts of worship. And in doing so, we also create opportunities for ministry in the workplace.

I encourage you to rethink your job not just as a way to make a living but as a way to live out your faith. Whether you’re a CEO, an office worker, a teacher, or a service provider, your workplace is a mission field. It’s a place where you can bring the light of Christ to those around you, and where your work can be a form of worship to the God who called you to it.

As a personal finance advocate and follower of Christ, I have always been drawn to what the Bible teaches about money, investing, and building wealth. With proper context, Scripture provides profound wisdom on these topics, offering guidance on how we should steward our financial resources with wisdom and integrity. Investing is not just about accumulating wealth for personal gain but about managing God’s resources wisely for His purposes.

Stewardship: The Foundation of Biblical Investing

One of the most fundamental biblical principles about wealth is stewardship. Psalm 24:1 reminds us, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.” Everything we have belongs to God, and we are merely stewards of His blessings. This means that our financial decisions, including investing, should reflect His values.

Jesus’ Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) illustrates this beautifully. The master entrusts his servants with money, expecting them to invest and multiply it. Two of the servants faithfully increase what they were given, while the third, out of fear, buries his talent and is rebuked for his inaction. This parable teaches us that God expects us to use and grow the resources He entrusts to us, not squander them in fear or laziness.

Diligence and Hard Work

Proverbs 13:11 states, “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” This verse underscores the importance of patience and diligence in financial growth. Investing is a long-term endeavor, requiring wisdom, discipline, and perseverance. Get-rich-quick schemes and speculative ventures often lead to ruin, while steady, disciplined investing leads to lasting prosperity.

The Bible also encourages hard work as a means of financial success. Proverbs 14:23 affirms, “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.” Investing wisely requires effort—researching, planning, and being patient with the process. Hard work, when coupled with faith, is a biblical approach to wealth-building.

Avoiding Greed and Dishonest Gain

While the Bible encourages wealth-building, it also warns against greed and unethical practices. 1 Timothy 6:10 warns, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.” Notice that money itself is not the problem—it’s the love of money that leads to corruption. Our motivation for investing and building wealth should be aligned with God’s purposes, not personal greed.

Proverbs 28:20 states, “A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.” Ethical investing and wealth-building require honesty and integrity. We should avoid unethical business practices, dishonest gain, or investments that exploit others. Honoring God in our financial dealings should always be our priority.

Diversification and Wise Planning

Ecclesiastes 11:2 offers sound financial advice: “Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.” This verse highlights the wisdom of diversification—spreading investments across different assets to manage risk. Modern financial experts echo this principle, encouraging diversified portfolios to safeguard against market fluctuations.

Proverbs 21:5 further supports careful planning: “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” Investing should be a deliberate, well-thought-out process rather than impulsive or reckless decisions. Long-term financial security comes from patience, wisdom, and strategic planning.

Generosity and Kingdom Impact

One of the greatest purposes of wealth-building is to be a blessing to others. Proverbs 11:25 teaches, “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” God blesses us financially so we can bless others—whether through tithing, supporting missions, helping the poor, or funding initiatives that advance His kingdom.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 emphasizes generous giving: “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” As we invest and build wealth, we should cultivate a generous heart, always remembering that our blessings are meant to be shared.

Trusting God Over Wealth

While wise investing and wealth-building are biblical principles, our trust should never be in our financial security but in God alone. Proverbs 3:9-10 instructs, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” Our ultimate security comes not from our investments but from God’s provision.

Jesus warns in Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” While financial planning is important, our greatest investment should always be in eternal things—our relationship with God, our family, and the work of His Kingdom.

This is something I need to remind myself: wealth is not an end in itself but a tool for advancing God’s purposes.

The question I ask myself—and encourage others to ask—is: Am I managing my finances in a way that honors God? My goal is not just financial success but faithful stewardship, using wealth as a means to serve God and bless others. If we align our financial decisions with biblical principles, we will not only experience financial peace but also the deep satisfaction of knowing that we are living in obedience to God’s will.

My 2 cents.