“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.” – Proverbs 3:9
As I sit down to write this post, I am reminded of the importance of giving God the first fruits of our labor. In the Bible, the concept of first fruit offering is a recurring theme, and it’s a principle that I believe we should all apply to our lives.
What is First Fruit Offering?
In the Old Testament, the Israelites were instructed to offer the first fruits of their harvest to God as a sign of gratitude and obedience. This offering was a symbol of their trust in God’s provision and a recognition of His sovereignty over their lives.
The concept of first fruit offering is not limited to agriculture; it can be applied to every area of our lives. Whether it’s our time, talent, or treasure, God desires us to give Him the first and the best.
Why Should We Give God the First Fruits?
So, why should we give God the first fruits of our labor? Here are a few reasons:
- Gratitude: Giving God the first fruits is a way of expressing our gratitude for His blessings in our lives. When we give Him the first and the best, we are acknowledging that everything we have comes from Him.
- Trust: Offering the first fruits requires trust in God’s provision. When we give Him the first fruits, we are trusting that He will provide for our needs and bless us abundantly.
- Obedience: Giving God the first fruits is a matter of obedience. In the Bible, God instructs us to give Him the first fruits, and when we obey, we are demonstrating our love and commitment to Him.
- Blessings: When we give God the first fruits, we can expect blessings in return. In Malachi 3:10, God says, “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.”
Examples of First Fruit Offering in the Bible
The Bible is full of examples of people who gave God the first fruits of their labor. Here are a few examples:
- Cain and Abel: In Genesis 4, we read the story of Cain and Abel, two brothers who offered sacrifices to God. Abel offered the first fruits of his flock, while Cain offered “some of the fruits of the soil.” God accepted Abel’s offering but rejected Cain’s.
- The Israelites: In Exodus 23:19, God instructs the Israelites to bring the first fruits of their harvest to the temple as an offering to Him.
- David: In 1 Chronicles 29:1-5, David offers the first fruits of his wealth to build the temple.
- The Early Church: In Acts 4:32-37, the early church gave their first fruits to support the apostles and the poor.
How to Apply First Fruit Offering to Our Lives
So, how can we apply the principle of first fruit offering to our lives? Here are a few practical ways:
- Tithing: One way to give God the first fruits is to tithe, or give 10% of our income, to our local church or a charitable organization.
- Time: We can give God the first fruits of our time by starting our day with prayer and devotion, or by taking a day off to serve others.
- Talent: We can give God the first fruits of our talent by using our skills to serve others, or by offering our services to our local church or community.
- Treasure: We can give God the first fruits of our treasure by giving generously to those in need, or by supporting missions and charities.
Conclusion
Giving God the first fruits of our labor is a principle that is deeply rooted in the Bible. When we give Him the first and the best, we are expressing our gratitude, trust, and obedience. We can expect blessings in return, and we will be demonstrating our love and commitment to Him.
As I dedicate this post to God Almighty as a first fruit offering, I encourage you to do the same. Give God the first fruits of your time, talent, and treasure, and watch Him bless you abundantly.
