Daily Devotional: Give God the First and Best

By David A. Case

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, NKJV)

Cain’s story highlights a painful truth: giving God “something” is not the same as giving God my first and best. Abel offered firstborn. Cain offered fruit of the ground, yet the text suggests Cain did not offer with the same honor. His response afterward also reveals his heart. Cain wanted acceptance without surrender. He wanted outcome without obedience.

Many believers live in this same tension. They want God’s help, yet they offer God leftovers. They want strength to rule over sin, yet they reserve the best part of the day for self. They want spiritual breakthrough, yet they keep their deepest loves unsubmitted. Then they feel confused when they are left on their own more often than they expected.

God wants the first part and the best part of my day and my life. He wants my whole heart. He wants my body to be a temple for His presence. This is not because He is needy. It is because His presence is the only power strong enough to consistently rule over sin.

So I ask myself: is God getting my best? Not my intention, but my actual best. Best attention. Best energy. Best focus. Best obedience. That is where worship becomes practical. Worship is not only singing. Worship is priority. Worship is giving God what belongs to Him first.

This is also where cynicism can be diagnosed. A cynical person often assumes life is messed up and God is uninvolved. Many times cynicism reveals something about choices. The eye is shaped by the heart. When I consistently choose self, my eye grows darker. When I will to do God’s will, light grows. The more I see, the more I do. The more I do, the more I see. That is the lifestyle of obedience.

Today I decide to put God first in a concrete way. Breakthrough often begins there.

Reflection Question

Is God getting the best part of my day and my energy, or is He getting what is left?

Prayer

Father, You deserve my first and best. Forgive me for giving You leftovers and expecting Your strength. Help me order my life so You are first. Fill my temple with Your presence and strengthen me to rule over sin. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Obedience Step for Today

Choose one “first and best” practice for tomorrow morning (15 minutes of Scripture and prayer before phone or tasks). Put it on your calendar tonight.

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This devotional was inspired by the book Heart Change Handbook by David A. Case. If you found it helpful, please consider it for your own self-study and suggest it to your church small group or recovery community as a basis for small group study.

Heart Change Handbook

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If this message has encouraged you to pursue deeper transformation, I invite you to continue the journey through The Heart Change Handbook. It provides a practical, biblical path for spiritual growth and is an excellent resource for church small groups and recovery communities. Consider getting your copy today and introducing it to your group as a guide toward meaningful heart change.

👉 Learn more about Small Group Resources from Heart Change U.