GOD MUST COME FIRST
By Bishop Mike Okonkwo
Saturday 2nd August 2025
“And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.” – Genesis 22:12 (KJV)
Beloved, God is the source of every good and perfect gift, but He must always come before the gifts He gives. In our anchor Scripture, Abraham demonstrated this truth in the most profound way. When God asked him to offer his only son, Isaac, as a sacrifice, he didn’t hesitate. Why? Because Abraham knew the Giver must come before the gift.
Too often, we chase the blessings of God while sidelining the God of the blessing. We get so attached to what He gives that we struggle to release anything when He calls. That’s why some believers grumble when asked to give or serve in church: “I’ve already budgeted that money for something else,” they say. But beloved, when you place the Giver first, every other thing falls into place.
Look at Solomon. He offered a thousand burnt offerings, not because he was trying to impress God, but because he recognized the Giver. And when God appeared to him and asked, “What do you want?” Solomon didn’t ask for wealth, power, or the downfall of his enemies. Instead, he asked for wisdom to lead God’s people rightly. He put God’s purpose above personal gain. And what happened? God gave him wisdom and added riches, honour, and peace as a bonus.
Many of us call God “Jehovah Jireh”, but interestingly, Abraham never called God that directly. Instead, he named the place where God provided “Jehovah Jireh.” Why? Because it was the place where he demonstrated that God was more important than the promise. And in that same place, the provision was waiting: a lamb caught in the thicket.
Beloved, could it be that your own “lamb” is already waiting, tied up and ready, but you are yet to reach the place of surrender? Many keep toiling, striving, and struggling simply because they haven’t arrived at that heart posture where they say: “Lord, I surrender it all. If you need it, take it. I choose You over the gift. If I have you, I have everything.” Make that your declaration today. God must come first. Always.
Further Reading: Genesis 22:10-18; 1 Kings 3:5-14