The word “honor” – if you look at the Septuagint, which is the ancient Greek translated from Hebrew – means time, value, esteem, and worth. The word “time” is translated from the word “kabod,” which means glory. Honor does not produce love; it’s love that produces honor. Romans 15:4 says, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Whatever is written in the scriptures, you can learn from it, but you are not supposed to pattern your life after every scripture. Whatever is born of love does not fail because love does not fail. When you are administering honor, you do it out of love (1 Corinthians 14:8, 1 John 4:17-18).
The word “fear” is a Greek word “Phobos,” which means terror. This means if you honor out of fear, you are tormented. Fear torments. You have become a tabernacle of love because love is your nature, and it’s love that produces honor. The first person to honor us was God Himself. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jesus recognized our value and got us out from the field, and we are now shining. Love causes you to see value in people and things. You don’t honor to get results; you honor because you see value in a person.
1-Honor is a product of love.
If you don’t give from the perspective of honor, you will wear out. Whatever a new creation does must be done in love. If honor is not born from love, it will fail. You cannot be offended without developing dishonor in your heart.
2-Honor is born from the heart.
Honor starts with the heart; that’s why the Bible says, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). Honor that is not from the heart is rejected.
3-Honor is demonstrated outwardly.
Although it begins from the heart, it is expressed outwardly. The size of your giving is the measure of your honor; that’s why when the widow gave the only coin she had, Jesus said, “she has given more than they all” (Mark 12:43-44).
4-Honor is relational.
You can’t honor a man you are not talking to. When there is no communication, dishonor sets in. Every time the children stop talking to God, they started honoring idols. If you are not honoring God, you are honoring idols.
5-Honor is a lifetime responsibility.
Romans 13:7 says, “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” The people we are to honor, number one, is God. The Bible says if your obedience is complete, then you can command demons to bow.
Proverbs 3:7-10 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Honor the LORD with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
First fruit is the first and the best. You know the best when the heart of the owner goes after it.