Deuteronomy 26 starts with instructions to the Israelites as they’re about to enter the Promised Land. After years of slavery in Egypt, miracles like the Red Sea parting, and forty years of wandering in the wilderness, they’re finally at the edge of the promise.
But before they go in, God gives them specific instruction.
“When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you as a special possession and you have conquered it and settled there…” (Deuteronomy 26:1 NLT)
Notice the process: enter, conquer, then settle. A lot of people step into what God has promised, see the opposition, and back out thinking it must not have been God. But opposition doesn't mean it's not your promise. You’ve got to enter it, conquer it, and then settle in.
God tells them the first produce from the land should be brought as an offering.
“Put some of the first produce from each crop you harvest into a basket and bring it to the designated place of worship—the place the Lord your God chooses for his name to be honored.” (Deuteronomy 26:2 NLT)
This isn't just a routine act. It's a declaration: this increase will not have me. I won’t be taken out by the blessing.
We all know stories of people who were destroyed by their wealth, but we don’t hear enough about those who used it for good. I declare this now by the Spirit—you will not be destroyed or distracted by the increase God brings into your life.
Every third year, there was a special tithe for Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows.
“You must offer a special tithe of your crops… so that they will have enough to eat in your towns.” (Deuteronomy 26:12 NLT)
Some people try to reason their way out of tithing—"The church doesn’t need my money. The pastor has a business. He’s doing fine."
But scripture is clear: part of your tithe goes to support those who feed you spiritually. And you should be glad it does. When you give, you're helping fund ministry, care for the vulnerable, and support leadership like elders and deacons who are laboring for the Kingdom.
I remember when God told me to bring Tim onto the church payroll. It was a big leap in expenses, but I knew God was leading me. And wouldn’t you know—giving increased more than what we were paying him. Doing what God says with money triggers increase. It just does.
This part gets overlooked, but it’s the best part.
“The Lord has declared today that you are his people, his own special treasure… And if you do [obey him], he will set you high above all the other nations… You will receive praise, honor, and renown.” (Deuteronomy 26:18–19 NLT)
He wants to make you great.
Some people struggle with that. They think wanting to be great is pride. But that desire in you—it’s from Him. God placed it there. The problem comes when we try to fulfill it the wrong way.
His path to greatness? Obedience. Quickly and completely.
Your salvation isn’t at risk when you disobey, but your greatness is. Every act of disobedience puts a pause on your purpose. But if you obey, God says He will lift you up.
Let’s seal this with Ephesians 6.
“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10–11 NLT)
Strength isn’t arrogance. And humility isn’t passivity.
Some Christians have been convinced that to be humble is to be invisible. That’s not humility. True humility is submitting to God—doing what He says even when you don’t feel like it. And when you humble yourself under His mighty power, He lifts you up.
“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.” (1 Peter 5:6 NLT)
We’ve got this bad habit in the Church. We criticize anyone whose name is known. Joyce Meyer, Jensen Franklin, Joel Osteen—you name it.
“They just did that to become famous.” Really? Who are we to judge motives based on YouTube videos made by people who don’t know them personally?
You won’t become what you despise. If you carry disdain for those God has made great, you'll hold yourself back from the greatness He's calling you to.
Instead of criticizing, rejoice.
“Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice.” (Philippians 1:18 NLT)
Let God make you great. Let Him lift you up. Walk in obedience and stay humble before Him—and watch what He does with your life.
