FIRSTFRUITS
DEUTERONOMY 26:1-11
The ordinance of the First fruits was given by the Almighty God himself. It was not an idea by Moses or Aaron and the priests to fleece the Israelites. It has purposes and it has methods. From today’s passage, it is crystal clear that the Lord demanded it of every Israelite that had income. They were to bring their first harvest into the house of God This would be put in a particular basket and brought into the priest. The one bringing shall make certain confessions to acknowledge the fact that it was the LORD that took him out of the house of bondage; delivered him from oppression, brought him to the land flowing the milk and honey and prospered the work of his hands. And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God. Deuteronomy 26:10
The firstfruits is an acknowledgment by the giver that all he is and all he has is by God. It is the LORD that gives and not the labour of our hands. After all, if Paul plants and Apollo waters, until God gives the increase, there can be no harvest. It is also an indication of faith and trust in God for future harvest. If the Lord could do this in the past, he is able and willing to do it in the future. If you trust him with the firstfruits, the remaining is guaranteed from destruction. He has provided and will continue to provide. Finally, the purpose of the firstfruits is to put God first. Bringing the first harvest to the house of God stresses the fact that God is the priority in the economy of the giver. Your needs come second only to God
You will note that the firstfruits is all about crops. This is because of the agrarian economy of the Israelites at that time. It used to take place at the onset of the harvest season and celebrated as the festival of the firstfruits. How relevant is it to us today? As not many of us are farmers, what then should we bring as firstfruits? As in the case of tithe which was initially in the form of crops and animals but today is majorly cash, one can also pay firstfruits in cash. The timing and methods depend on the instruction from the church. In this ministry, the firstfruits represent the first income of the year. It may be your salary, your first profit or gift. This should be paid into the house of God. But as it has been emphasized, it is not a gift or alms given to the church but obedience to the ordinance of the Almighty God.
As in all other offerings, God is obligated to reward the giver of firstfruits when given from a heart of love, willingly and in faith. See that you obey this important instruction. It can also be your new increase in a new venture or your first income in a new job or position irrespective of the time of the year.
MEDITATION: First fruits: How faithful am I?
