How can we "take some of the firstfruits" in our daily lives today? Bringing the Ancient Instruction into Today Deuteronomy 26:2 commands, “you are to take some of the firstfruits of all that you produce from the soil of the land the LORD your God is giving you, put them in a basket and go to the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for His Name”. Though most of us no longer farm, the principle still applies. God receives the first and best, not the leftovers. Why Firstfruits Still Matter • They declare that everything we have comes from God. • They place Him first in our priorities. • They open our hearts to gratitude and generosity. • They invite God’s blessing on the remainder (Proverbs 3:9-10; Malachi 3:10). Offering Financial Firstfruits • First line in the budget: Set aside your tithe or chosen percentage the moment income arrives (1 Corinthians 16:2). • Automatic giving: Schedule electronic transfers so giving happens before any bills are paid. • Unexpected increase: Bonuses, tax refunds, gifts—treat them the same way. The first slice goes to the Lord. Dedicating the First Moments of the Day • Unhurried Scripture reading: Give God your freshest mental energy before screens or news (Psalm 5:3). • Prayerful planning: Lay out appointments, goals, and concerns, inviting His direction (Matthew 6:33). • Worship music or quiet praise: Set the tone for the day with gratitude rather than anxiety. Consecrating the First Day of the Week • Consistent corporate worship: Gathering with the church on Sunday honors Christ’s resurrection and aligns the week around Him (Acts 20:7). • Serving others: Arrive early to greet, teach, or help—offering the best of your gifts to the body. Devoting the First Produce of Gifts and Talents • Students: Tackle studies as an act of worship, aiming for excellence that reflects the Creator (Colossians 3:23-24). • Artists and creatives: Share initial drafts, songs, or artwork for God’s purposes—perhaps in church, community events, or online ministry. • Skilled professionals: Volunteer expertise—legal advice, medical aid, carpentry—where it can bless those in need. Honoring God with the First of Relationships • Family time: Lead brief Scripture reflection or prayer at the start of family gatherings or meals. • New friendships or ventures: Acknowledge God’s sovereignty, seeking His will before commitments deepen (James 4:13-15). Presenting Our Very Lives as Firstfruits “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation” (James 1:18). Each believer’s life is an ongoing offering: • Holiness in everyday choices (Romans 12:1). • Steadfast witness to Christ’s saving power. • Hopeful anticipation of the greater harvest when He returns (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). Living the Principle Daily Firstfruits living is simply this: wherever God grants increase—money, time, skills, or influence—we joyfully give Him the first and finest portion. In doing so we echo ancient Israel’s baskets of produce, proclaiming today, “The LORD brought us out… He has given us this land” (Deuteronomy 26:8-9). |
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