Do you like leftovers? I personally don’t care for them. I’m not really sure why because it seems to make little difference to me what the leftovers are. I think they taste different when they’re warmed up versus being cooked the first time.
My husband, on the other hand, could eat leftovers for a week and be happy. He will take his lunch to work almost every day. My son loves to eat leftovers for breakfast and he has since he was little. If there aren’t any leftovers in the refrigerator, he’ll tell me there is nothing to eat for breakfast. Between the two of them, I rarely have to eat leftovers.
God doesn’t like leftovers either. From Exodus to Revelation, the Word of God talks about bringing the firstfruits to the Lord [Exodus 23:19, Revelation 14:4]. God calls us to take the cream of the crop, the best part, to Him. Most people hear this and they assume God is only talking about money. He is talking about everything!
God wants our best in the time we give Him, in our words, in our actions and deeds. He is calling us to treat Him as the King He is.
So many times, God gets the leftovers. He gets the money that is leftover at the end of the month instead of the first check after payday. He gets the half hearted prayer that is whispered out as we are about to fall asleep instead of quality one on one time in the early morning to start our day. He gets a little song and prayer at Christmas time after all of the parties and gift giving.
God expects to come first. In Exodus 20:3 He clearly states “You shall have no other gods before me.” There’s no confusion on what He is asking for here. If you read on in verse 5 He states He is a jealous God. He wants you…the best part of you…He wants to be first in your life. He wants to be what you talk about and what you think about [Deuteronomy 11:18-21]. He wants to be your everything.
So, while you’re out running around buying gifts and wrapping them, ask yourself “What am I giving God today?” I happen to know all He wants is you.