I'm pretty sure the answer to that is "yes!"
Check out Ezekiel 44:30. It's an Old Testament passage where God is encouraging His people to make sure that they get the blessing that comes from caring for the godly priests who lead worship at the Temple.
"The first of all the firstfruits of all kinds, and every offering of all kinds from all your offerings, shall belong to the priests. You shall also give to the priests the first of your dough, that a blessing may rest on your house" (Ezekiel 44:30).
Some would say, "Well, that's Old Testament practice. We are no longer under Old Testament law. We are New Testament believers and are living under the gospel of grace."
True. But consider that the book in the New Testament that teaches grace best is Galatians. And there we read, "Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches" (Galatians 6:6).
It's very, very easy for us to focus on ourselves and to end up giving leftovers to support God's work and God's workers. But think. According to Ezekiel 44;30, when we do give leftovers and not firstfruits, we forfeit the blessing that's ready to rest on our houses.
If we've forgotten this principle lately, it's not too late for us to begin seeking first His kingdom (Matthew 6:33). It's not too late for us to begin again.
Let's write our checks to our churches and to our favorite parachurch ministries first. And then let's live expectantly, watching for the blessing to rest on our houses... and our finances.
"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine" (Proverbs 3:9-10).
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