The First and the Best: Starting 2026 on God’s Foundation

Introduction: The Rhythm of New Beginnings

Scripture Reference: Proverbs 3:9–10; Exodus 23:19

Church, happy New Year! As we stand here at the sunrise of 2026, there is a natural urge within all of us to "get it right" this time. We make resolutions for our health, our careers, and our habits. But if we want this year to be truly different—not just busier, but more blessed—we have to look at our foundation.

In the Kingdom of God, the foundation is built on a principle called First Fruits. It’s not just about a donation; it’s about a declaration of who comes first in our lives.

1. The Principle: Priority Over Plenty

The concept of First Fruits shows up early in Scripture. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were commanded to bring the very first harvest of their crops to the house of the Lord.

Notice they didn’t wait until the harvest was finished to see if they had enough left over. They gave the first and the best before they even knew how the rest of the season would turn out.

Proverbs 3:9–10 (NIV): "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine."

The Lesson for 2026: First Fruits is a test of the heart. It asks the question: "Do I trust God more than I trust my bank account?" When we give God the first part of our year, our time, and our resources, we are saying, "God, I recognize that everything I have belongs to You anyway."

2. The Power: Blessing the Remainder

There is a spiritual "math" in the Kingdom that doesn't always make sense on a calculator. When you give the first to God, the remaining 90% is actually empowered to go further than 100% would have on its own.

Think of it like this:

Giving the first hour of your day to prayer sanctifies your entire schedule.

Giving the first day of your week to worship sets the tone for your Monday through Friday.

Giving the first portion of your 2026 income acknowledges God as your Provider.

By giving God the "First," you are inviting Him into the "Rest." You are moving from a life of striving to a life of stewardship.

3. The Practice: How to Start 2026 Correct

As we move into this month, I want to challenge you to move beyond the "leftover" lifestyle. Too often, we give God the "last fruits"—the time we have left after Netflix, the energy we have left after work, and the money we have left after the bills.

To do 2026 correct, let’s commit to three things:

First Thoughts: Give Him your morning. Before you check your emails or social media, check in with the Creator.

First Finances: Be intentional. Before the "Clearance" sales of the new year tempt you, set aside your First Fruits offering.

First Faith: Trust Him for the "In-Between." If you give Him the first of January, believe that He will be there for you in the middle of July.

Conclusion: A Harvest of Peace

Church, 2026 doesn’t have to be a year of anxiety. When you put God first, you trade your worry for His providence. You aren't just giving to a church; you are sowing into a promise.

Let’s not wait until we’re in a crisis to call on Him. Let’s honor Him now, at the gate, and watch how He opens the windows of heaven over our families this year.

Let us pray:

Lord, we thank You for this new year. We dedicate the first of our time, our talents, and our treasures to You. We declare that You are the priority of 2026. Sanctify our year, bless our hands, and help us to live with open hearts. Amen.

Would you like me to create a 7-day devotional plan to go along with this sermon for your congregation?