First Fruits Offering
“Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow…” (Proverbs 3:9–10 NKJV)
.
You might be thinking that first fruits is an Old Testament thing. And it’s true, God instituted the first fruits offering in the Old Covenant.However first fruits are mentioned 31 times throughout the Bible. Firstfruits appear in both the Old and New Testaments and are talked about in relation to both spiritual and physical offerings.So first fruits still have an application for us today.
FIRST FRUITS OF THE NEW YEAR
We are getting ready to set aside the first part of the year as a firstfruits fast to the Lord. It’s an opportunity to say, “I’m doing things differently, I’m breaking routine, and I’m rearranging priorities to put God first in my life this year”.
WHAT IS FIRST FRUITS?
First Fruits offering is a free will offering, separate from and in addition to your tithe. In the Old Testament this was the offering that God required be given to Him from the earliest ripening produce (the first fruit) of any grain or fruit harvest. He also required the first male born of the womb, whether human or livestock, to be dedicated to Him. The first fruit was given before the entire harvest was taken as a deposit or down payment guaranteeing God’s blessing upon the rest of the harvest.
HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM THE TITHE?
The tithe is the 10% of your gross income, which God claims as His own. According to Malachi 3:8, if you choose to not give your tithes, you are robbing God. The “First Fruits” offering is a free-will offering where you determine the amount.
WHAT DOES A “FIRST FRUITS” OFFERING MEAN TO US TODAY?
For us, a First Fruits offering is a yearly event where we give God an offering based on what we are believing our financial harvest to be. We offer God a First Fruits for two reasons: 1) it acknowledges God’s ownership of all that we own, and 2) it is given as a deposit or down payment guaranteeing God’s blessing upon the rest of our financial harvest.
WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT?
1. Exodus 13:11-13 describes the Law of the First Born. Why do you think it’s important that we understand this principle today?
2. God gave the children of Israel 10 cities to conquer in the Promised Land. But what did he instruct them about the first city, Jericho, in Joshua 6:19?
3. Think about the difference between giving and bringing. Giving is like handing over something you want someone to have.
Bringing is like returning something that already belongs to them.
God asks us to bring our firstfruits offering. Render to the Lord what is the Lord’s in your fasting, prayer, and giving!
“Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT TO GIVE?
The First Fruit offering is an offering that reflects your expected financial harvest. It is our responsibility to pray and ask God what He would desire us to give. If you are expecting a great financial blessing, (a new or better job, a new house or car, etc.), then the First Fruits should reflect the size of your anticipated harvest.
