GIVING PHILOSOPHYFIRST FRUITS GIVING
GIVING PHILOSOPHYFIRST FRUITS GIVING
(Proverbs 3:9-10) 9 “Honor the LORD with your possessions and with the
(Proverbs 3:9-10) 9 “Honor the LORD with your possessions and with the
first fruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,
first fruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will overflow with new wine.”
and your vats will overflow with new wine.”
What are First Fruits?
What are First Fruits?
First Fruits Giving can be traced back to the Old Testament and the Law of
First Fruits Giving can be traced back to the Old Testament and the Law of
First Things. In fact, we see the Law of First Things at work in the Garden
First Things. In fact, we see the Law of First Things at work in the Garden
of Eden when God gave Adam and Eve stewardship over everything He
of Eden when God gave Adam and Eve stewardship over everything He
had created and then placed them in the Garden of Eden. However, they
had created and then placed them in the Garden of Eden. However, they
were not allowed to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good
were not allowed to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good
and evil. God had reserved that portion of what He had created exclusively
and evil. God had reserved that portion of what He had created exclusively
for Himself (Genesis 2:15-17). This helps us to develop disciplines.
for Himself (Genesis 2:15-17). This helps us to develop disciplines.
Once we have learned to exercise discipline in an area we can more easily
Once we have learned to exercise discipline in an area we can more easily
apply the principles of discipline to other areas of our lives.
apply the principles of discipline to other areas of our lives.
The Law of First Things can be found throughout the Old Testament; particularly
The Law of First Things can be found throughout the Old Testament; particularly
in God’s instructions to the nation of Israel during their Exodus
in God’s instructions to the nation of Israel during their Exodus
from Egypt and while they inhabited Canaan.
from Egypt and while they inhabited Canaan.
First Fruits offerings were established as a way for the Israelite’s to
First Fruits offerings were established as a way for the Israelite’s to
prove and validate the position God held in their lives.
prove and validate the position God held in their lives.
They were required to devote the first and best portion of everything
They were required to devote the first and best portion of everything
they possessed – crops, livestock, silver, gold, precious
they possessed – crops, livestock, silver, gold, precious
stones, and even the spoils acquired from nations the Israelite’s
stones, and even the spoils acquired from nations the Israelite’s
had conquered, etc – as an offering irrevocably dedicated to God.
had conquered, etc – as an offering irrevocably dedicated to God.
In so doing, they gave God pre-eminence (first place) in their lives.
In so doing, they gave God pre-eminence (first place) in their lives.
Today, we honor God with our First Fruits offering by bringing the first
Today, we honor God with our First Fruits offering by bringing the first
10% of all our earnings. When we do so faithfully, we are acknowledging
10% of all our earnings. When we do so faithfully, we are acknowledging
God’s sovereignty over our lives and our resources. And His promise to us
God’s sovereignty over our lives and our resources. And His promise to us
is that He will bless and multiply everything that we set our hands to because
is that He will bless and multiply everything that we set our hands to because
we have made Him FIRST in our lives (Malachi 3:8-12).
we have made Him FIRST in our lives (Malachi 3:8-12).
First Fruits giving is always an issue of Lordship over Lip Service,
First Fruits giving is always an issue of Lordship over Lip Service,
“Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and do not [practice] what I tell
“Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and do not [practice] what I tell
you?” (Luke 6:46)
you?” (Luke 6:46)
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Copyright 2019, Bethany Worship Center. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright 2019, Bethany Worship Center. All Rights Reserved.
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FRUITS GIVING (Proverbs 3:9-10) 9 “Honor the LORD with your possessions"
FRUITS GIVING (Proverbs 3:9-10) 9 “Honor the LORD with your possessions"