How can we apply the principle of firstfruits in modern Christian living? Setting the Scene in Nehemiah 10:35 “ We also assumed the responsibility for bringing to the house of the LORD each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree.” The returned exiles pledged that the very first part of every harvest would go straight to God’s house. They were declaring in concrete terms, “Lord, You are first.” What Firstfruits Meant Then - Tangible proof of God’s ownership: every stalk and grape belonged to Him, so He received the first and best. - A public act of trust: giving away the first portion meant relying on God to supply the rest of the harvest. - Worship that funded worship: the firstfruits sustained priests, Levites, and temple ministry (Numbers 18:12–13). Firstfruits Fulfilled and Expanded in Christ - 1 Corinthians 15:20 — “Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” His resurrection guarantees our own. - Romans 8:23 — believers “have the firstfruits of the Spirit,” a down-payment on future glory. - James 1:18 — we are “a kind of firstfruits of His creatures,” set apart for God’s pleasure. Because Christ embodied and completed the firstfruits idea, the principle now saturates every part of discipleship, not just agricultural produce. Why the Principle Still Matters Today - God’s rightful place is still first (Exodus 20:3; Matthew 6:33). - The act of giving first trains the heart to trust (Proverbs 3:9–10). - Firstfruits safeguard us from drifting into leftover-thinking—offering what costs least. - It testifies to a watching world that God, not possessions, rules us. Practical Ways to Offer Our Firstfruits Finances • Set aside the first portion of every paycheck for the Lord before any other bill is paid. • Consider dedicating the first raise, bonus, or dividend of the year to kingdom work. Time • Begin each day in Scripture and prayer, treating those minutes as non-negotiable. • Give the first day of the week to congregational worship (Acts 20:7). Talents & Creative Energy • Serve in a ministry area that matches your gifting before filling your calendar with hobbies. • Aim to use your freshest mental bandwidth—morning study time, prime work hours—for tasks that most clearly advance God’s purposes. Family Milestones • When a child is born, consciously dedicate that “firstfruit” of your family’s next generation to the Lord’s service (Luke 2:22). • Offer the first produce from a new garden, the first project from a new business, or the first publication from a new skill as an act of gratitude. Harvest of Souls • Share the gospel early in relationships, not merely after every other topic is covered. • Support missions that seek unreached peoples, giving God the “firstfruits” of nations (Romans 15:20). Blessings Tied to Firstfruits - “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled with plenty” (Proverbs 3:9–10). - “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse… Test Me in this… see if I will not open the windows of heaven” (Malachi 3:10). The promise is not a vending-machine guarantee but a Father’s assurance that obedience invites His generous provision. A Heart Check: Motive Matters More Than Math - God delights in cheerful, faith-filled giving (2 Corinthians 9:7). - The widow’s two small coins outweighed larger sums because they came first from her heart (Luke 21:1-4). - Firstfruits are ultimately about love, not ledger sheets; about priority, not percentage. Living the principle today means joyfully handing God the first slice of every resource, convinced that He already gave us His best in Jesus—the true Firstfruits who guarantees a harvest of eternal life. |
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