The document discusses the biblical principle of giving the first and best to God. It references several passages that talk about consecrating the firstborn males and livestock to God, as well as bringing the firstfruits of crops as offerings. It emphasizes that we should honor God with our possessions and firstfruits. Not giving God the first and best amounts to robbing Him. The passages encourage redeeming firstborn donkeys and sons, and explaining this tradition to teach children about God delivering His people from bondage in Egypt.

1. First Things First

2. Exodus 13:2
"Consecrate to me every firstborn
male. The first offspring of every
womb among the Israelites
belongs to me, whether man or
animal."

3. Exodus 13:12-13
You are to give over to the Lord the first
offspring of every womb. All the
firstborn males of your livestock belong
to the Lord. [13] Redeem with a lamb
every firstborn donkey, but if you do not
redeem it, break its neck. Redeem every
firstborn among your sons.

4. Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his
own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.

5. Matthew 16:25
For whoever wants to save his
life will lose it, but whoever
loses his life for me will find it.

6. Exodus 23:19 NKJV
The first of the firstfruits of your
land you shall bring into the
house of the Lord your God.

7. Proverbs 3:9-10 NKJV
Honor the Lord with your possessions
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
[10] So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.

8. Malachi 3:8-9 NKJV
"Will a man rob God?
Yet you have robbed Me
But you say,
'In what way have we robbed You?'
In tithes and offerings.
[9] You are cursed with a curse,
For you have robbed Me,
Even this whole nation.

9. Exodus 13:14-15 NKJV
So it shall be, when your son asks you in time to come,
saying, 'What is this?' that you shall say to him, 'By
strength of hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt,
out of the house of bondage. [15] And it came to
pass, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us
go, that the Lord killed all the firstborn in the land of
Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of
beast. Therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all males that
open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I
redeem.'