When
we give God the First Fruits of our labors he will reward us
abundantly both spiritually and physically. The Bible challenges us
saying, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of
all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and
your vats will brim over with new wine.” (Proverbs
3:9-10)
A
sacrificial first fruit offering demonstrates obedience to God.
"Trust in the LORD" (v.
5), says the Bible. One
of the principles of a first fruit offering is trust in the promise
of a future harvest. The first fruit were just a taste of what lay in
store at the end of the full in-gathering of the harvest. A first
fruit offering represents a prayer to God for the future harvest.
It,
also, tests our faith in God promise to bless our giving. “Bring
the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my
house. Test me in this,” says the Lord
Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of
heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room
enough to store it.” (Malachi
3:10)
A
sacrificial first fruit offering demonstrates our commitment to God.
The passage continues: "in all thy ways acknowledge him"(v.
6). Giving your First Fruits means you are acknowledging God’s
ownership of all you have. We sow seed and water but God provides the
harvest. Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father. (James
1:17)
Money
is like a magnet. It pulls our hearts towards wherever we put it.
When I give money to God it pulls me closer to Him. The Bible says,
"Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all
your crops" (v.
9)
God
deserves the best part of our lives! God is honored by no less than
our very best. Jesus said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and
his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
(Matthew
6:33)
In
Malachi God chastised the people for giving inferior gifts. “ When
you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you
sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering
them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept
you?” says the Lord Almighty.” (Malachi
1:8)
God
is NOT an afterthought…
- God desires our best when it comes to our worship.
- God desires our best when it comes to our service.
- God desires our best when it comes to our giving.
God
deserves our First Fruits.
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