Give Your First and Your Best

This past weekend, Pastor Dave reminded us of the story of Cain and Abel. Both brothers brought an offering to the Lord, but God was only pleased with Abel’s sacrifice.

Genesis 4:4 says, “And Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering.” 

Hebrews 11:4 reminds us why: “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and by it he being dead still speaks.”

Abel’s faith was demonstrated through his giving of his first and his best, which set him apart. God honours those who give Him their best, the first fruits of their lives, not leftovers. This story reminds us that it is not about the amount we give or the effort involved. It is about faith, trust, and priority.

It is about putting God first.

The Bible doesn’t explicitly say why God rejected Cain’s offering, but most theologians agree it had more to do with Cain’s heart than the actual type of offering. Abel brought the first and best of his flock in faith, while Cain brought some of his crops without the same devotion, suggesting leftovers rather than his best. God even warned Cain, “If you do well, will you not be accepted?” (Genesis 4:7).

God examines the heart, as 1 Samuel 16:7 tells us, and Cain’s jealousy and anger exposed a heart that was not aligned with God’s ways. Some theologians also see this moment as pointing forward to the need for atonement that Jesus would one day fulfill, as Hebrews 9:22 teaches that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

So how do we give God our first and our best today? I didn’t come up with the following idea myself, but I’ve found it really helpful to think about it in three areas: our time, our talents, and our treasure. These three areas reveal to us what we value, and show us how we can make God our priority.

1. We Give God Our Time

Time is one thing we can never get back. Every day we have 24 hours, and how we use them shows what matters most to us. Abel gave God the first portion of what he had, and it also represented the time he took to raise and care for his sacrifice. God noticed the difference between his gift and Cain’s. Abel’s offering was ‘more excellent’ and revealed his priority.

Jesus puts it this way in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” He doesn’t say seek God when it’s convenient or when life slows down. He says first.

Giving God our time means choosing to orient our days around Him rather than trying to squeeze Him into whatever space remains. It looks like giving God the first moments of the day in prayer and Scripture instead of immediately reaching for our phones. It looks like prioritizing the things that God cares about: worshiping together at church, Holy conversations in small groups (Life Groups, Alpha, INTSE, etc.), and serving others even when life feels busy or pulls us in many directions.

The things we spend the most time on reveal what we value most. When God receives only the leftover moments of our schedule, it often reveals misplaced priorities. Starting my day with time spent in God’s word changes the tone of the day. My decisions, reactions, and conversations are more likely to flow out of His wisdom rather than impulse or pressure.

I remember when my wife Rebecca and I were first married, we had the same conversation almost every Sunday morning. “Are we going to church today?” We would go back and forth about how we felt and how tired we were. Most of the time we went anyway, but eventually we made a decision. We decided we were going to be a family that goes to church.

We knew it was good for us. Church is a spiritual meal that nourishes our souls. We need to stand and worship with other people because it strengthens our faith. We need to be in a place where we can receive prayer, encouragement, and truth. So, we chose to give God the first day of the week. That decision removed fifty-two “should we go today” conversations every year, and I am grateful we made it.

2. We Give God Our Talents

God has entrusted each of us with abilities, skills, experiences, and opportunities. Abel gave from what God had placed in his care, giving the best portion. Scripture says in 1 Peter 4:10, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 

Giving God our talents means recognizing they aren’t just for our personal benefit. They are gifts meant to serve His purposes and bless others. Some of us lead, some teach, some organize, some build, and some serve quietly behind the scenes. Every gift matters.

When we offer our talents to God, we are saying that we trust Him to use what He has given us in ways that have eternal value, not just for temporary success or personal satisfaction. I’m truly honored to have the privilege of serving alongside an incredibly talented group of musicians and vocalists who faithfully choose, week after week, to set aside their weekends to give their time and talents to the Lord. These are people with real jobs, families, and responsibilities, yet they show up early, stay late, rehearse during the week, and pour themselves out so that others can encounter God. They don’t do it for recognition or applause. They do it because they love Jesus and want to glorify Him. Through their faithfulness, countless people are helped to experience the power of God’s presence in worship, and that impact reaches far beyond what we see on a Sunday morning.

3. We Give God Our Treasure

Money and resources are another way we show what we truly trust. Abel’s offering cost him something. He gave the firstborn, the portion that represented future provision. Proverbs 3:9 says, “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase.” Jesus also said in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Giving God our treasure is about trusting Him, not just giving out of obligation.

One practical way we live this out today is through the local church. Pastor Dave often says, “You don’t give to a church, you give through a church,” and that really captures the heart of it. When we give our offerings to the church, we are putting God first and investing in the work He is doing in and through His people. Giving the first portion of what we earn is a tangible way of saying that God, not money, is our priority.

And the result is changed lives. In 2025 alone, over 200 people were baptized. That didn’t happen by accident. It happened because of the faithfulness and generosity of our church family. Their giving made it possible for the gospel to reach people far beyond what any one of us could do on our own.

Giving sacrificially is an act of faith. Treasure given first shows trust in God’s provision. Treasure given last often reveals that we are relying more on ourselves than on Him.

How we use our time, our talents, and our treasure reveals what we truly worship. These are not separate spiritual categories. Together, they form a single act of worship.

When God receives our first and our best in all three areas, it shapes how we live, how we make decisions, and how we love others. Faith that costs nothing rarely transforms us. Giving God our first and our best costs something, but it produces a life aligned with His priorities.

This is not about earning God’s approval. Abel was accepted because he trusted God’s way. That same invitation is open to us today. God is still pleased when His people give Him their time, their talents, and their treasure, not as leftovers, but as an act of faith.

Practical Steps to Give Your First and Best

Give God the first moments of your day. Spend time with Him before anything else.

Offer your talents with purpose. Look for ways your gifts and skills can serve others through the church and in everyday life.

Give your treasure to the church. Start with the first portion of what you earn and trust God to provide.

Pastor Dave reminded us that God was pleased with Abel’s offering. That same invitation still stands today. God is still pleased when we give Him our first and our best. Like Abel, our faith speaks even when no one is watching.

The question is not whether we give. The question is who comes first.