- ALL OF US ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO GET MORE OF LIFE AND THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO DO THIS
- THERE IS THE WAY OF THE WORLD; AND THERE IS THE WAY OF GOD’S KINGDOM
- THE WAY OF THE WORLD IS BASED ON A SYSTEM OF LUST, PRIDE, FEAR, AND SELFISHNESS.
- THE WORLD SYSTEM IS BROKEN AND LEADS TO DESTRUCTION PROV. 14:12
- BUT THERE IS ANOTHER WAY, THE WAY OF GOD – JOHN 14:6
- GOD HAS GREAT FINANCIAL PLANS FOR US, HIS PEOPLE
- IF YOU BY FAITH FOLLOW GOD’S FINANCIAL PLAN YOU WILL BE FINANCIALLY FULFILLED AND SATISFIED
- THE LORD SAYS, YOUR INCOME WILL GO FARTHER IF YOU FOLLOW MY FINANCIAL PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE THAN IF YOU CONSUME ALL OF IT UPON YOURSELF. PROV. 3:5-10
- THE WORD OF GOD SETS BEFORE US A WAY OF LIVING THAT SAYS LESS IS MORE
- PS 37:16 SAYS” A LITTLE THAT A RIGHTEOUS MAN HATH IS BETTER THAN THE RICHES OF MANY WICKED.”
- THE WAY OF GOD’S PROSPERITY IS THE WAY OF FAITH,
- THE WAY OF GOD’S PROSPERITY IS THE WAY OF OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WORD
- THE WAY OF GOD’S PROSPERITY IS THE WAY OF F UNCONDITIONAL LOVE FOR GOD.
- FAITH IS THE LAW OF GOD’S KINGDOM HEB.11:6
- FOR EXAMPLE THE LORD SAYS, GIVE ME ONE DAY OUT OF THE SEVEN DAYS IN A WEEK
- AND YOUR LIFE WILL BE MORE RESTED AND PEACEFUL AND MUCH MORE PRODUCTIVE THAN IF YOU TRY TO WORK FULL TIME SEVEN DAYS A WEEK
- YOU NEED FAITH TO TRUST THE LORD AND OBEY HIM JOYFULLY.
- FOR EXAMPLE, ACCORDING TO GOD’S WORD, YOUR LAND WILL BE MORE PRODUCTIVE IF YOU REST IT REGULARLY THAN IF YOU PLANT IT YEAR AFTER YEAR.
- THE LORD NEVER INTENDED FOR YOU TO STRESS YOURSELF OUT LOOKING FOR MONEY
- PROV.13:7 SAYS “THERE IS THAT MAKETH HIMSELF RICH, YET HATH NOTHING: THERE IS THAT MAKETH HIMSELF POOR, YET HATH GREAT RICHES.”
- IN OTHER WORDS, GOD’S FINANCIAL PLANS AND PRINCIPLES FOR YOUR LIFE WILL HELP YOU ESCAPE FROM STRESS AND POVERTY
- AND TRULY LITTLE IS MUCH WHEN GOD IS YOUR SOURCE AND FINANCIAL MANAGER
- PROV.16:8 “ BETTER IS A LITTLE WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS THAN GREAT REVENUES WITHOUT RIGHT”
- FROM THE WAY WE CONDUCT OUR RELATIONSHIPS, TO HOW WE HANDLE MONEY, GOD’S WAY IS THE BEST,
- SO WE JUST HAVE TO TAKE A DECISION AS TO WHICH SYSTEM WE WILL FOLLOW.
- WE CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS; JESUS SAYS WE CANNOT SERVE GOD AND MAMMON.
- YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN GOD’S WAY OF DOING THINGS AND THE WAY TO THE WORLD
- THE WORLD WANTS TO PUT BLACK AND WHITE TOGETHER WHERE SPIRITUAL MATTERS ARE CONCERNED
- BUT WITH GOD THERE ARE ONLY TWO SIDES RIGHT OR WRONG , BLESSING OR CURSES, LIFE OR DEATH,BLACK OR WHITE NO MIDWAY
- THIS IS HOW TO PROSPER IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD
- IT DOES NOT INVOLVE COMPROMISE OR IDOLATRY ,IT INVOLVES FAITH IN GOD AND FAITH IN HIS COMMANDMENTS
- GOD’S KINGDOM FUNCTIONS ACCORDING TO THE LAW OF SEEDTIME AND HARVEST
- WHAT YOU SOW IS WHAT YOU REAP GOD CANNOT BE DECEIVED 2 COR.9:6-8
- SO WHAT IS GOD’S FINANCIAL PLAN FOR US HIS CHILDREN?
- GOD’S PLAN IS THAT WE GIVE OUR FIRST FRUITS, TITHES AND OFFERINGS FOR THE WORK OF THE CHURCH
- AND FOR THE WELL FARE OF THOSE WHO WORK IN HIS HOUSE AND ALSO TO HELP THE POOR AND THE NEEDY
- FOLLOWING GOD’S FINANCIAL PLANS BY GIVING OF OUR FIRST FRUIT, TITHES AND OFFERINGS TO GOD REQUIRES FAITH, GENEROSITY AND ABSOLUTE GRATITUDE TOWARDS GOD
- GOD ACTUALLY STARTED TO INSTRUCT THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL ABOUT FIRST FRUIT IN EXODUS 13 :7-16
- UNLEAVENED BREAD SHALL BE EATEN THROUGHOUT THE SEVEN DAYS; NO LEAVENED BREAD SHALL BE SEEN WITH YOU, NOR SHALL THERE BE LEAVEN WITHIN THE BORDERS OF YOUR TERRITORY. YOU SHALL EXPLAIN THIS TO YOUR SON ON THAT DAY, SAYING, ‘IT IS BECAUSE OF WHAT THE LORD DID FOR ME WHEN I CAME OUT OF EGYPT.’IT SHALL SERVE AS A SIGN TO YOU ON YOUR HAND (ARM), AND AS A REMINDER ON YOUR FOREHEAD, SO THAT THE INSTRUCTION (LAW) OF THE LORD MAY BE IN YOUR MOUTH; FOR WITH A STRONG AND POWERFUL HAND THE LORD BROUGHT YOU OUT OF EGYPT. THEREFORE, YOU SHALL KEEP THIS ORDINANCE AT THIS TIME FROM YEAR TO YEAR. “NOW IT SHALL BE WHEN THE LORD BRINGS YOU INTO THE LAND OF THE CANAANITE, AS HE SWORE TO YOU AND YOUR FATHERS, AND GIVES IT TO YOU,12 YOU SHALL SET APART AND DEDICATE TO THE LORD ALL THAT FIRST OPENS THE WOMB. ALL THE FIRSTBORN MALES OF YOUR LIVESTOCK SHALL BE THE LORD’S. EVERY FIRSTBORN OF A DONKEY YOU SHALL REDEEM BY [SUBSTITUTING] A LAMB [AS A SACRIFICE FOR IT], BUT IF YOU DO NOT [WISH TO] REDEEM IT, THEN YOU SHALL BREAK ITS NECK; AND EVERY FIRSTBORN AMONG YOUR SONS YOU SHALL REDEEM [THAT IS, “BUY BACK” FROM GOD WITH A SUITABLE SACRIFICE]. AND IT SHALL BE WHEN YOUR SON ASKS YOU IN TIME TO COME, SAYING, ‘WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?’ YOU SHALL SAY TO HIM, ‘WITH A STRONG AND POWERFUL HAND THE LORD BROUGHT US OUT OF EGYPT, FROM THE HOUSE OF BONDAGE AND SLAVERY.‘FOR IT HAPPENED, WHEN PHARAOH STUBBORNLY REFUSED TO LET US GO, THAT THE LORD STRUCK EVERY FIRSTBORN IN THE LAND OF EGYPT, BOTH THE FIRSTBORN OF MAN AND THE FIRSTBORN OF ANIMAL. THEREFORE, I SACRIFICE TO THE LORD ALL THE MALES, THE FIRST [TO BE BORN] OF EVERY WOMB, BUT EVERY FIRSTBORN OF MY SONS I REDEEM.’16 SO IT SHALL SERVE AS A SIGN AND A REMINDER ON YOUR [LEFT] HAND (ARM) AND AS FRONTLETS BETWEEN YOUR EYES, FOR BY A STRONG AND POWERFUL HAND THE LORD BROUGHT US OUT OF EGYPT
- BUT THE FEAST OF FIRST FRUITS OFFERINGS WAS INSTITUTED IN LEVITICUS 23:9-14 :
- THEN THE LORD SPOKE TO MOSES, SAYING,“SPEAK TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL AND SAY TO THEM, ‘WHEN YOU ENTER THE LAND WHICH I AM GIVING YOU AND REAP ITS HARVEST, YOU SHALL BRING THE SHEAF OF THE FIRST FRUITS OF YOUR HARVEST TO THE PRIEST.‘HE SHALL WAVE THE SHEAF BEFORE THE LORD SO THAT YOU MAY BE ACCEPTED; THE PRIEST SHALL WAVE IT ON THE DAY AFTER THE SABBATH.‘NOW ON THE DAY WHEN YOU WAVE THE SHEAF YOU SHALL OFFER A MALE LAMB ONE YEAR OLD WITHOUT BLEMISH AS A BURNT OFFERING TO THE LORD.‘ITS GRAIN OFFERING SHALL BE TWO-TENTHS OF AN EPHAH OF FINE FLOUR MIXED WITH [OLIVE] OIL, AN OFFERING BY FIRE TO THE LORD FOR A SWEET AND SOOTHING AROMA, WITH ITS DRINK OFFERING [TO BE POURED OUT], A FOURTH OF A HIN OF WINE.‘YOU SHALL NOT EAT ANY BREAD OR ROASTED GRAIN OR NEW GROWTH, UNTIL THIS SAME DAY WHEN YOU BRING IN THE OFFERING TO YOUR GOD; IT IS A PERMANENT STATUTE THROUGHOUT YOUR GENERATIONS WHEREVER YOU MAY BE.”
- THE PEOPLE WERE TO BRING A SHEAF OF GRAIN TO THE PRIEST, WHO WOULD WAVE IT BEFORE THE LORD. IT WAS A GENUINE THANKSGIVING OFFERING
- NO GRAIN WAS TO BE HARVESTED AT ALL OR EVEN TASTED UNTIL THE FIRST FRUITS OFFERING WAS BROUGHT TO THE LORD (LEVITICUS 23:14).
- EX.13:16 SAYS “ SO IT SHALL SERVE AS A SIGN AND A REMINDER ON YOUR [LEFT] HAND (ARM) AND AS FRONTLETS BETWEEN YOUR EYES, FOR BY A STRONG AND POWERFUL HAND THE LORD BROUGHT US OUT OF EGYPT”
- I ASKED THE LORD ABOUT THE WEARING OF THE SIGNS ON OUR HANDS, AND HE EXPLAINED THAT HIS STRONG HAND AND ARMS ARE ALWAYS INVOLVED IN OUR SALVATION AND REDEMPTION
- SO AS WE STRETCH FORTH OUR HANDS TO HIM IN OFFERINGS WE MAKE A DIRECT COVENANT WITH HIS HAND TO BE WITH US AGAINST ALL OUR ENEMIES AND ON ALL THE WORK OF OUR HANDS
- ALSO MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER THE GREAT SACRIFICE THE LORD MADE FOR OUR SALVATION .HENCE’16 SO IT SHALL SERVE AS A SIGN AND A REMINDER ON YOUR [LEFT] HAND (ARM) AND AS FRONTLETS BETWEEN YOUR EYES, FOR BY A TRONG AND POWERFUL HAND THE LORD BROUGHT US OUT OF EGYPT
- DEUTERONOMY 26:1–10 GIVES EVEN MORE DETAIL ON THE PROCEDURE OF FIRST FRUITS OFFERINGS LET US ALL STAND TO READ IT
- THE FIRST FRUIT OFFERING WAS MADE IN REMEMBRANCE OF ISRAEL’S SOJOURN IN EGYPT,
- GOD WANTED THEM TO REMEMBER AND APPRECIATE THEIR DELIVERANCE FROM THE EGYPTIAN SLAVERY
- HE WANTED THEM TO REMEMBER AND APPRECIATE THAT HE LED THEM TO POSSESS “A LAND THAT WAS FLOWING WITH MILK AND HONEY”
- HOW RELEVANT IS THE FIRST FRUIT DOCTRINE TO USAS NEW TESTAMENT SAINTS?
- , THE FIRST FRUITS OFFERING ARE SYMBOLICALLY MENTIONED SEVERAL TIMES NOW IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
- IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, THE FIRST FRUITS OFFERING FOUND ITS FULFILMENT IN JESUS CHRIST.
- “BUT CHRIST HAS INDEED BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD, THE FIRST FRUITS OF THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP” (1 CORINTHIANS 15:20).
- JESUS’ RESURRECTION HAS PAVED THE WAY FOR OUR OWN RESURRECTION AS WELL .
- PAUL CALLS EPAENETUS AND THE HOUSEHOLD OF STEPHANAS “THE FIRSTFRUITS OF ACHAIA”
- ROMANS 16:5, LIKEWISE GREET THE CHURCH THAT IS IN THEIR HOUSE. SALUTE MY WELLBELOVED EPAENETUS, WHO IS THE FIRSTFRUITS OF ACHAIA UNTO CHRIST.
- 1 CORINTHIANS 16:15 I BESEECH YOU, BRETHREN, (YE KNOW THE HOUSE OF STEPHANAS, THAT IT IS THE FIRSTFRUITS OF ACHAIA, AND THAT THEY HAVE ADDICTED THEMSELVES TO THE MINISTRY OF THE SAINTS,)
- PAUL IS SAYING HERE THAT, JUST AS THE FIRST FRUITS OFFERING WAS THE FIRST PORTION OF A LARGER HARVEST, THESE INDIVIDUALS WERE THE FIRST OF MANY CONVERTS IN THAT REGION.
- JAMES CALLS BELIEVERS “A KIND OF FIRST FRUITS OF HIS CREATURES” (JAMES 1:18).
- ALL BELEIVERS ARE A KIND OF FIRST FRUITS TO THE LORD.
- MAYBE YOU ARE THE ONLY CHRISTIAN IN YOUR FAMILY,OR YOU STARTED THE ONLY CHURC H IN YOUR VILLAGE
- OR THE ONLY CHRISTIAN IN YOUR STREET OR OFFICE YOU ARE PRECIOUS FIRST FRUIT
- YOU ARE
- JUST LIKE THE FIRST SHEAF OF GRAIN WAS SET APART FOR THE LORD, SO ARE BELIEVERS SET APART FOR GOD’S GLORY.
- ROMANS 11:16 “FOR IF THE FIRSTFRUIT BE HOLY, THE LUMP IS ALSO HOLY: AND IF THE ROOT BE HOLY, SO ARE THE BRANCHES.”
- SO ARE THE BELIEVERS SET APART TO GOD’S GLORY WHEREVER THEY ARE
- JUST AS THE BLESSINGS THAT COME FROM FIRST FRUITS NEVER FAIL, WE BELIEVERS SHOULD ALWAYS FLOW AROUND LIKE RIVERS OF BLESSING THAT NEVER DRY UP
- ANYONE ,ANYWHERE AND ANYTHING AROUND US MUST BE BLESSED
- PAUL ALSO TAUGHT THE CORINTHIAN BELIEVERS TO SET ASIDE A COLLECTION “ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK” (1 CORINTHIANS 16:2).
- THE OFFERING OF FIRST FRUITS WAS AN OCCASION TO CELEBRATE THE LIBERATION OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL FROM EGYPTIAN BONDAGE WITH THANKSGIVING TO GOD
- IN LIKE MANNER EVERY CHRISTIAN IS TO OFFER HIS FIRST FRUIT TO GOD WITH THANKSGIVING AND GLADNESS OF HEART AT ALL TIMES FOR THE SALVATION OF HIS SOUL
- IN SUMMARY, FIRST FRUITS SYMBOLIZES GOD’S HARVEST OF SOULS
- IT ILLUSTRATES GIVING TO GOD FROM A GRATEFUL HEART.
- IT SETS A PATTERN OF GIVING BACK TO HIM THE FIRST (AND THE BEST) OF WHAT HE HAS GIVEN US.
- THE FIRST FRUIT OFFERING REPRESENTS THE FIRST AND BEST OF SOMETHING TO BE GIVEN TO GOD.
- NUMBERS 18:12-13
ALL THE BEST OF THE OIL, AND ALL THE BEST OF THE WINE, AND OF THE WHEAT, THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THEM WHICH THEY SHALL OFFER UNTO THE LORD, THEM HAVE I GIVEN THEE. AND WHATSOEVER IS FIRST RIPE IN THE LAND, WHICH THEY SHALL BRING UNTO THE LORD, SHALL BE THINE; EVERY ONE THAT IS CLEAN IN THINE HOUSE SHALL EAT OF IT.
- FOR EXAMPLE, ABEL, IN GEN 4: 4, OFFERED THE FIRSTLINGS OF THE FLOCK TO GOD.
- THESE WERE THE FIRST ANIMALS THAT WERE BORN AND ALSO THE UNBLEMISHED ONES . AND SO HIS OFFERING PLEASED GOD.
- FOR US THE PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS INCLUDE GIVING:
- THE FIRST HOUR OF YOUR DAY TO WORSHIP, PRAY AND STUDY THE BIBLE
- FIRST CHILD TO GOD FOR FULL TIME SERVICE, LIKE HANNAH DID WITH PROPHET SAMUEL
- FIRST WEEKS’ SALARY IN THE FIRST MONTH OF THE YEAR
- OR FIRST MONTH’S SALARY OF THE ENTIRE YEAR
- IF YOU ARE IN BUSINESS , ALL OR PART OF THE FIRST SALE, OR THE FIRST WEEK’S SALE
- OR THE FIRST MONTH’S SALE AS YOU SEE FIT TO HONOUR AND BLESS THE LORD.
- THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS AND IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOUR FAITH, TRUST, COMMITMENT, AND LOVE FOR GOD
- GOD ACTUALLY JUST REQUIRES SOME OF THE FIRST FRUIT SO STOP PANICKING!!.
- JUST AS YOU JUST NEED TO OFFER THE FIRST HOURS OF YOUR DAY TO GOD AND NOT THE WHOLE DAY NOR THE WHOLE MORNING .
- LEVI.23:9-14
- SPEAK UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND SAY UNTO THEM, WHEN YE BE COME INTO THE LAND WHICH I GIVE UNTO YOU, AND SHALL REAP THE HARVEST THEREOF, THEN YE SHALL BRING A SHEAF OF THE FIRST FRUITS OF YOUR HARVEST UNTO THE PRIEST AND HE SHALL WAVE THE SHEAF BEFORE THE LORD, TO BE ACCEPTED FOR YOU: ON THE MORROW AFTER THE SABBATH THE PRIEST SHALL WAVE IT. AND YE SHALL OFFER THAT DAY WHEN YE WAVE THE SHEAF AN HE LAMB WITHOUT BLEMISH OF THE FIRST YEAR FOR A BURNT OFFERING UNTO THE LORD. AND THE MEAT OFFERING THEREOF SHALL BE TWO TENTH DEALS OF FINE FLOUR MINGLED WITH OIL, AN OFFERING MADE BY FIRE UNTO THE LORD FOR A SWEET SAVOUR: AND THE DRINK OFFERING THEREOF SHALL BE OF WINE, THE FOURTH PART OF AN HIN.
- AND YE SHALL EAT NEITHER BREAD, NOR PARCHED CORN, NOR GREEN EARS, UNTIL THE SELF SAME DAY THAT YE HAVE BROUGHT AN OFFERING UNTO YOUR GOD: IT SHALL BE A STATUTE FOR EVER THROUGHOUT YOUR GENERATIONS IN ALL YOUR DWELLINGS.
- THAT SHOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE WORRIED ABOUT GIVING ALL OF IT.
- HE WANTS THE BEST PART OF COURSE TO SHOW THAT WE HONOUR HIM
- KEEP IN MIND TOO, THAT THE FIRST FRUIT OFFERING WAS A VERY SPECIAL OFFERING AND NOT DONE AS REGULARLY AS A TITHE.
- THE FIRST FRUIT IS LIKE THE REPAYMENT TO GOD WHO IS YOUR BUSINESS PARTNER, WHILE THE TITHE IS MAINTENANCE OFFERING.
- B. WHO MUST RECEIVE THE FIRST FRUIT & TITHE?
. GOD IS THE ULTIMATE RECIPIENT OF THE FIRSTFRUIT OFFERING
- MANY A TIMES, WE ARE SIMPLY RELUCTANT TO GIVE ANY KIND OF OFFERING BECAUSE WE THINK WE ARE JUST ENRICHING THE PASTOR
- , BUT SCRIPTURES TEACH US THAT GOD IS REALLY THE RECIPIENT OF ALL OUR OFFERINGS
- HE IS ESPECIALLY INTERESTED IN OUR TITHES AND THE FIRST FRUIT OFFERINGS
- WHEN A FIRST FRUIT OFFERING WAS GIVEN, THE GIVER WAS COMMANDED TO TAKE IT TO THE TEMPLE.
- PLACE IT ON THE ALTAR, OFFER A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING, WORSHIP AND REJOICE BEFORE THE LORD – DEUT. 26:10
- “AND NOW, BEHOLD, I HAVE BROUGHT THE FIRST FRUITS 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”
- THE PRIEST WAS ALSO COMMANDED TO WAVE THE FIRST FRUIT OFFERING TO THE LORD LEV 23: 20.
- THIS IS SYMBOLIC OF WAVING THE HANDS IN WORSHIP AND SURRENDER TO THE LORD, TELLING HIM HOW GREAT HE REALLY IS.
- GOD ALSO COMMANDED THE JEWS TO PRESENT THE FIRSTFRUIT OFFERING AS A MEAT OFFERING. LEV. 2:14-16
- THIS WAS NOT MADE FROM MEAT BUT FROM FINE FLOUR,SO THE PRIEST COULD FEED
- “ AND IF THOU OFFER A MEAT OFFERING OF THY FIRST FRUITS UNTO THE LORD, THOU SHALT OFFER FOR THE MEAT OFFERING OF THY FIRST FRUITS GREEN EARS OF CORN DRIED BY THE FIRE, EVEN CORN BEATEN OUT OF FULL AND THOU SHALT PUT OIL UPON IT, AND LAY FRANKINCENSE THEREON: IT IS A MEAT OFFERING. AND THE PRIEST SHALL BURN THE MEMORIAL OF IT, PART OF THE BEATEN CORN THEREOF, AND PART OF THE OIL THEREOF, WITH ALL THE FRANKINCENSE THEREOF: IT IS AN OFFERING MADE BY FIRE UNTO THE LORD.”
- THAT WORD MEAT CAN BE TRANSLATED MEAL OFFERING.
- WHEN YOU FEED GOD’S SERVANTS, YOU ARE FEEDING GOD HIMSELF
- NEHEMIAH 10 :35-39
- AND [WE OBLIGATE OURSELVES] TO BRING THE FIRST FRUITS OF OUR GROUND AND THE FIRST FRUITS OF ALL THE FRUIT OF EVERY TREE TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD ANNUALLY, AS WELL AS THE FIRSTBORN OF OUR SONS AND OF OUR CATTLE, AS IS WRITTEN IN THE LAW, AND THE FIRSTBORN OF OUR HERDS AND FLOCKS, TO BRING TO THE HOUSE OF OUR GOD, FOR THE PRIESTS WHO MINISTER IN THE HOUSE OF OUR GOD. WE WILL BRING THE FIRST [AND BEST] OF OUR DOUGH, OUR CONTRIBUTIONS, THE FRUIT OF EVERY TREE, THE NEW WINE AND THE [OLIVE] OIL TO THE PRIESTS, TO THE CHAMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF OUR GOD, AND THE TITHE OF OUR GROUND TO THE LEVITES, FOR THE LEVITES ARE THE ONES WHO RECEIVE THE TITHES IN ALL THE LIT TOWNS OF SERVICE RURAL TOWNS.THE PRIEST, THE SON OF AARON, SHALL BE WITH THE LEVITES WHEN THEY RECEIVE TITHES, AND THEY SHALL BRING ONE-TENTH OF THE TITHES UP TO THE HOUSE OF OUR GOD, TO THE CHAMBERS OF THE STOREHOUSE. FOR THE ISRAELITES AND THE SONS OF LEVI SHALL BRING THE OFFERING OF THE GRAIN, THE NEW WINE, AND THE OIL TO THE CHAMBERS; THE UTENSILS OF THE SANCTUARY, THE PRIESTS WHO ARE MINISTERING, THE GATEKEEPERS, AND THE SINGERS ARE THERE. IN THIS MANNER, WE WILL NOT NEGLECT THE HOUSE OF OUR GOD.
- SO THE TITHES BELONG TO ALL WHO WORK FULL TIME IN THE CHURCH
- WHILE THE FIRST FRUIT BELONG TO THE FULL TIME PASTOR
- THEY CAN EAT IT FREELY AND IT IS NOT A SIN TO THEM AS THE WORLD IS NOW CLAIMING,
- IT IS ACTUALLY A SOURCE OF BLESSING TO ALL WHO OBEY THESE INSTRUCTIONS
- THERE ARE MULTIPLE AND MIRACULOUS BLESSINGS THAT RESULT FROM OBEYING THE COMMAND TO GIVE THE FIRST FRUIT OFFERING.HERE ARE SOME OF THEM:
- THE ONE WHO RECEIVES THE FIRST FRUIT OFFERING IS EXPECTED TO BLESS THOSE WHO GIVE IT:
EZEKIEL 44:30 : THE FIRST OF ALL THE FIRST FRUITS OF EVERY KIND, AND EVERY CONTRIBUTION AND OFFERING OF EVERY KIND, FROM ALL YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS AND OFFERINGS, SHALL BELONG TO THE PRIESTS. YOU SHALL ALSO GIVE TO THE PRIEST THE FIRST OF YOUR COARSE MEAL AND BREAD DOUGH, SO THAT A BLESSING MAY REST ON YOUR HOUSE
“2) THE FIRSTFRUIT IS MULTIPLIED TO ALL 2 KINGS 4:42-44
“AND THERE CAME A MAN FROM BAALSHALISHA, AND BROUGHT THE MAN OF GOD BREAD OF THE FIRSTFRUITS, TWENTY LOAVES OF BARLEY, AND FULL EARS OF CORN IN THE HUSK THEREOF. AND HE SAID, GIVE UNTO THE PEOPLE THAT THEY MAY EAT. AND HIS SERVITOR SAID, WHAT, SHOULD I SET THIS BEFORE AN HUNDRED MEN?HE SAID AGAIN, GIVE THE PEOPLE, THAT THEY MAY EAT: FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD, THEY SHALL EAT, AND SHALL LEAVE THEREOF. SO HE SET IT BEFORE THEM, AND THEY DID EAT, AND LEFT THEREOF, ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF THE LORD”
- PROPHET ELISHA WAS IN CHARGE OF THE SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS, WHICH CONSISTED OF A HUNDRED MEN.
- IT WAS A TERRIBLE TIME OF FAMINE AND ONE OF THE ISRAELITES BROUGHT THE FIRST FRUITS OF HIS LAND TO SUPPLY THE PROPHET’S NEEDS.
- THE PROPHET SPOKE A PROPHETIC WORD OF MULTIPLICATION OVER THE FOOD AND IT FED THEM WITH ENOUGH AND LEFT OVER.
- I BELIEVE THAT PROPHET ELISHA BLESSED THE OFFERING AS WELL AS THE GIVER AND AS A RESULT GOD GAVE THE WORD THAT THE FOOD WOULD BE MULTIPLIED.
- MULTIPLICATION OF RESOURCES IS ONE OUTCOME OF GIVING THE FIRST FRUIT OFFERING.
- JESUS DID THE SAME TO THE FOOD GIVEN BY THE LITTLE BOY IN JOHN 6
- I BELIEVE THAT WE CAN SAFELY CALL THAT BOY’S MEAL A FIRST FRUIT SINCE IT CONSISTED OF TWO BARLEY LOAVES, WHICH WAS USUALLY USED FOR THE FIRST FRUIT OFFERING IN BIBLE DAYS.
- JESUS BLESSED THE FOOD, BROKE AND MULTIPLIED IT LIKE ELISHA DID
- WHAT ABOUT THE OFFERING GIVEN BY THE WIDOW OF ZAREPHATH?
- PROPHET ELIJAH’S REQUEST TO FEED HIM WITH THE LAST BIT OF MEAL COULD BE SYMBOLIC OF A FIRST FRUIT OFFERING BECAUSE IT WAS A VERY DIFFICULT SACRIFICE
- THIS WOMAN GAVE HER ALL IN THE TIME OF FAMINE . CROPS WERE NOT BEING PRODUCED
- IT WAS ALL THAT SHE HAD LEFT AND SHE WAS GOING TO FEED HERSELF AND HER SON FOR THE LAST TIME THEN DIE
- BUT SHE WAS ASKED TO FEED THE PROPHET FIRST AND THAT IS THE KEY TO THIS CORN MEAL BEING A FIRST FRUIT OFFERING
- PROPHET ELIJAH SAID TO HER:
- “… FEAR NOT; GO AND DO AS THOU HAST SAID: BUT MAKE ME THEREOF A LITTLE CAKE FIRST, AND BRING IT UNTO ME, AND AFTER MAKE FOR THEE AND FOR THY SON” 1 KINGS 17:13.
- PROPHET ELIJAH HAD OBEYED GOD’S COMMAND TO BE FED BY THIS WIDOW
- HE ALSO INSTRUCTED HER THAT SHE WILL NOT LACK IF SHE OBEYED 1 KINGS 17:8-14.
- IT IS NOT SO EASY TO OBEY THE LORD IN THESE THINGS AND TELL PEOPLE TO BRING SOMETHING WHEN THEY HAVE NOTHING
- BUT IT IS TIME TO TRUST THE LORD AND OBEY HIM IF YOU WANT TO HAVE SOMETHING
- ELIJAH MUST HAVE HELD UP THAT FIRST MEAL TO THE LORD
- HE MUST HAVE BLESSED IT AND REMINDED HIM OF THE PROMISE TO KEEP THE BARREL FULL OF MEAL AND TO MULTIPLY THE OIL.
- THIS WAS AN OFFERING THE POOR WIDOW COULD NOT AT ALL AFFORD
- JUST AS MANY OF US CANNOT REALLY AFFORD TO GIVE SACRIFICIALLY IN JANUARY
- BUT JUST STRETCH YOUR FAITH AND WATCH GOD BLESS YOU FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR
- PSALM 34:8 SAYS “TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD”
- IF YOU REALLY WANT TO OBEY GOD AND GIVE YOUR FIRST FRUIT , THE ONLY WAY TO REALLY GO ABOUT IT WOULD BE TO PREPARE FOR IT AND BE DETERMINED TO DO IT
- FOR EXAMPLE YOU MAY BE SAVING SOME MONEY DURING THE YEAR TO MEET YOUR JANUARY EXPENSES
- YOU MAY DETERMINE TO GIVE IT IN INSTALMENTS.IT IS JUST VERY IMPORTANT TO OBEY THAT INSTRUCTION IF WE WANT TO EXPERIENCE DIVINE ABUINDANCE EACH YEAR
- 3. THE RECIPIENT IS OBLIGATED TO THE GIVER
- SCRIPTURES SHOW US THAT THE RECIPIENTS ARE OBLIGATED TO PROVIDE SPIRITUAL COVERING TO THOSE WHO GIVE ANY FIRST FRUIT OFFERING.
- FOR EXAMPLE, THE SON OF THE WIDOW OF ZAREPHATH FELL ILL AND DIED. 1 KINGS 17:17-24
- PROPHET ELIJAH WAS OBLIGATED TO RAISE THE CHILD FROM THE DEAD.
- IN A SIMILAR MIRACLE , THE WOMAN OF SHUNEM HOUSED PROPHET ELISHA AND SHE REPEATEDLY RECEIVED A FOUR FOLD MIRACLE
- THE BIRTH OF A SON,
- RESURRECTION OF THE SON
- PROPHETIC RELOCATION IN TIMES OF FAMINE.
- RESTORATION OF HER LAND AFTER A FAMINE YOU CAN READ HER STORY IN: 2KINGS 4:8-37 AND IN 2KINGS 8: 1-6 RESPECTIVELY
- MULTIPLICATION ,PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION WILL BE EXPERIENCED BY THOSE WHO OBEY THIS INSTRUCTION ROMANS 11:16
4. ALL GIVERS RECEIVE THE PROPHET’S REWARD
- JESUS BEAUTIFULLY SUMMARIZED THESE TEACHINGS IN MATTHEW 10: 41 BY INSTRUCTING US ABOUT THE PROPHET’S REWARD:
- HE THAT RECEIVETH A PROPHET IN THE NAME OF A PROPHET SHALL RECEIVE A PROPHET‘S REWARD; AND HE THAT RECEIVETH A RIGHTEOUS MAN IN THE NAME OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL RECEIVE A RIGHTEOUS MAN’S REWARD.
- THE TEACHING INHERENT IN THIS TEXT IS THAT ANY REWARD RECEIVED OR TO BE RECEIVED BY A PROPHET OR A RIGHTEOUS PERSON IS GIVEN ALSO TO THOSE WHO BLESS THE PROPHET
- IN JESUS’ MINISTRY, LAZARUS WAS RESURRECTED
- MARY, MARTHA, LAZARUS WERE CLOSE TO THE LORD .THOSE PEOPLE MINISTERED TO JESUS,
- THE DISCIPLES THEMSELVES ALSO EXPERIENCED DRAUGHT OF FISHES AND THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY GHOST AND MANY OTHER MIRACLES.
- PETER’S MOTHER IN LAW WAS HEALED FROM A FEVER WHEN HE ALLOWED JESUS TO PREACH FROM HIS HOUSE
- I AM SURE THAT WE CAN ADD TO THE LIST OF REWARDS BY SHARING OTHER BIBLICAL AND MODERN DAY TESTIMONIES.
5 GOD HASTENS THE FULFILLMENT OF THE PROPHETIC WORD WHEN AN OFFERING IS GIVEN . 2KINGS 3:17-25
- “FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD, YE SHALL NOT SEE WIND, NEITHER SHALL YE SEE RAIN; YET THAT VALLEY SHALL BE FILLED WITH WATER, THAT YE MAY DRINK, BOTH YE, AND YOUR CATTLE, AND YOUR BEASTS. AND THIS IS BUT A LIGHT THING IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD: HE WILL DELIVER THE MOABITES ALSO INTO YOUR HAND. AND YE SHALL SMITE EVERY FENCED CITY, AND EVERY CHOICE CITY, AND SHALL FELL EVERY GOOD TREE, AND STOP ALL WELLS OF WATER, AND MAR EVERY GOOD PIECE OF LAND WITH STONES. AND IT CAME TO PASS IN THE MORNING, WHEN THE MEAT OFFERING WAS OFFERED, THAT, BEHOLD, THERE CAME WATER BY THE WAY OF EDOM, AND THE COUNTRY WAS FILLED WITH WATER. AND WHEN ALL THE MOABITES HEARD THAT THE KINGS WERE COME UP TO FIGHT AGAINST THEM, THEY GATHERED ALL THAT WERE ABLE TO PUT ON ARMOUR, AND UPWARD, AND STOOD IN THE BORDER. AND THEY ROSE UP EARLY IN THE MORNING, AND THE SUN SHONE UPON THE WATER, AND THE MOABITES SAW THE WATER ON THE OTHER SIDE AS RED AS BLOOD: AND THEY SAID, THIS IS BLOOD: THE KINGS ARE SURELY SLAIN, AND THEY HAVE SMITTEN ONE ANOTHER: NOW THEREFORE, MOAB, TO THE SPOIL. AND WHEN THEY CAME TO THE CAMP OF ISRAEL, THE ISRAELITES ROSE UP AND SMOTE THE MOABITES, SO THAT THEY FLED BEFORE THEM: BUT THEY WENT FORWARD SMITING THE MOABITES, EVEN IN THEIR COUNTRY.AND THEY BEAT DOWN THE CITIES, AND ON EVERY GOOD PIECE OF LAND CAST EVERY MAN HIS STONE, AND FILLED IT; AND THEY STOPPED ALL THE WELLS OF WATER, AND FELLED ALL THE GOOD TREES: ONLY IN KIR-HARASETH LEFT THEY THE STONES THEREOF; HOWBEIT THE SLINGERS WENT ABOUT IT, AND SMOTE IT.
- ISRAEL AND JUDAH WENT TO FIGHT THE KING OF MOAB. THEY RAN OUT OF WATER ON THEIR WAY AND BECAME STRANDED .
- THEY ASKED PROPHET ELISHA TO SEEK GOD ON THEIR BEHALF.
- THE WORD OF THE LORD WAS THAT THE VALLEY IN WHICH THEY CAMPED WOULD BE FILLED WITH WATER TO SUPPLY ALL THEIR NEEDS
- AND THAT GOD WOULD DELIVER THE MOABITES INTO THEIR HANDS.
- THE VALUABLE LESSON HERE IS THAT WE CAN HASTEN THE FULFILMENT OF ALL THE PROPHETIC WORD WE RECEIVED FROM GOD DURING OUR FASTING BY GIVING A SACRIFICIAL OFFERING TO THE LORD
- GOD COULD HAVE DELAYED THE MIRACLE, BUT IT WAS HASTENED WITH THE GIVING OF THE OFFERING.
- THE LAST PART OF THE STORY IS PARTICULARLY INTERESTING 2 KINGS 3:26-27
“ AND WHEN THE KING OF MOAB SAW THAT THE BATTLE WAS TOO SORE FOR HIM, HE TOOK WITH HIM SEVEN HUNDRED MEN THAT DREW SWORDS, TO BREAK THROUGH EVEN UNTO THE KING OF EDOM: BUT THEY COULD NOT.THEN HE TOOK HIS ELDEST SON THAT SHOULD HAVE REIGNED IN HIS STEAD, AND OFFERED HIM FOR A BURNT OFFERING UPON THE WALL. AND THERE WAS GREAT INDIGNATION AGAINST ISRAEL: AND THEY DEPARTED FROM HIM, AND RETURNED TO THEIR OWN LAND.
- NOW THIS KING WAS NOT EVEN A JEW.HE WAS AN ENEMY TO GOD’S PEOPLE BUT HIS TERRIBLE SACRIFICE MOVED GOD AGAINST HIS OWN PEOPLE
- IN JUDGES CHAPTER 11 WE READ ABOUT JEPHTAH’S VOW
- JUDGES ‘:11:30-36
- AND JEPHTHAH VOWED A VOW UNTO THE LORD, AND SAID, IF THOU SHALT WITHOUT FAIL DELIVER THE CHILDREN OF AMMON INTO MINE HANDS, THEN IT SHALL BE, THAT WHATSOEVER COMETH FORTH OF THE DOORS OF MY HOUSE TO MEET ME, WHEN I RETURN IN PEACE FROM THE CHILDREN OF AMMON, SHALL SURELY BE THE LORD’S, AND I WILL OFFER IT UP FOR A BURNT OFFERING.SO JEPHTHAH PASSED OVER UNTO THE CHILDREN OF AMMON TO FIGHT AGAINST THEM; AND THE LORD DELIVERED THEM INTO HIS HANDS.AND HE SMOTE THEM FROM AROER, EVEN TILL THOU COME TO MINNITH, EVEN TWENTY CITIES, AND UNTO THE PLAIN OF THE VINEYARDS, WITH A VERY GREAT SLAUGHTER. THUS THE CHILDREN OF AMMON WERE SUBDUED BEFORE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL. AND JEPHTHAH CAME TO MIZPEH UNTO HIS HOUSE, AND, BEHOLD, HIS DAUGHTER CAME OUT TO MEET HIM WITH TIMBRELS AND WITH DANCES: AND SHE WAS HIS ONLY CHILD; BESIDE HER HE HAD NEITHER SON NOR DAUGHTER. AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN HE SAW HER, THAT HE RENT HIS CLOTHES, AND SAID, ALAS, MY DAUGHTER! THOU HAST BROUGHT ME VERY LOW, AND THOU ART ONE OF THEM THAT TROUBLE ME: FOR I HAVE OPENED MY MOUTH UNTO THE LORD, AND I CANNOT GO BACK. AND SHE SAID UNTO HIM, MY FATHER, IF THOU HAST OPENED THY MOUTH UNTO THE LORD, DO TO ME ACCORDING TO THAT WHICH HATH PROCEEDED OUT OF THY MOUTH; FORASMUCH AS THE LORD HATH TAKEN VENGEANCE FOR THEE OF THINE ENEMIES, EVEN OF THE CHILDREN OF AMMON