How can we honor God with our "firstborn" or first fruits in daily life? Setting the Stage: What “Firstfruits” Means “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:9-10) God established a pattern: whatever comes first belongs to Him. In the Old Testament that meant the first sheaf of grain, the firstborn male, even the first dough off the kneading bowl. The principle is simple—give God the best and the beginning, not the leftovers. Snapshots from Scripture • Exodus 13:2 – “Consecrate to Me every firstborn male… it belongs to Me.” • Deuteronomy 26:10 – Israel physically carried their firstfruits to the sanctuary, declaring, “I have brought the firstfruits of the land You, O LORD, have given me.” • 1 Corinthians 15:20 – Jesus Himself is called “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep,” showing the principle is still live and powerful under the New Covenant. Why the Principle Still Matters • It keeps God first in our hearts (Matthew 6:33). • It reminds us that everything we have is His (Psalm 24:1). • It invites God’s promised provision (Malachi 3:10; Proverbs 3:10). Everyday Ways to Offer Our Firstfruits 1. Time • Give Him the first minutes of the morning—Scripture reading, worship, or quiet listening. 2. Income • The moment a paycheck lands, set aside His portion before bills, fun money, or savings. 3. Talents & Energy • Offer the freshest part of your creativity or strength to serve—teach, sing, encourage, build—before personal projects steal the spotlight. 4. Decisions • Pray first, plan second. Acknowledge the Lord at the start of meetings, travel, or family discussions (Proverbs 3:6). 5. Relationships • Dedicate children to the Lord early, echoing the firstborn principle (Luke 2:22-23). • Invest the opening moments of each date night, family dinner, or gathering to thank God together. 6. Harvests & Bonuses • Garden produce, tax refunds, commissions—whatever “extra” comes in, skim the first slice for kingdom purposes. 7. Rhythms & Seasons • At the start of a new school year, job, or fiscal quarter, consecrate the entire season to Him. What God Promises When We Put Him First • Overflowing provision (Proverbs 3:10). • Open heavens and undeniable blessing (Malachi 3:10). • A life aligned with His kingdom priorities (Matthew 6:33). Living the Firstfruits Lifestyle Honoring God with our firstborn, first income, and first moments isn’t a legalistic chore—it’s a joyful declaration that He is Lord over every beginning. When the start of anything is placed in His hands, the rest falls under His care, and we discover the freedom and blessing He always intended for His people. |
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