2 TIMOTHY 2:5 “AND IF A MAN ALSO STRIVE FOR MASTERIES, YET IS HE NOT CROWNED, EXCEPT HE STRIVE LAWFULLY.”
New English Translation “Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winner[a] unless he competes according to the rules.”
THE BIBLE IS A BOOK OF RULES AND REGULATIONS,AND YOU MUST LOVE GOD’S WORD AND RULES IF YOU WANT TO PROSPER
PSALM 119: 1-18
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
4 ¶ Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
7 ¶ I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
9 ¶ BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10 ¶ With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 ¶ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
12 ¶ Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
13 ¶ With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
17 ¶ GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
18 ¶ Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
THEREFORE ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURES,CERTAIN SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS WERE GIVEN TO MOSES CONCERNING THE FIRST FRUIT.SO THAT IT CAN BE REGARDED AS A VERY SPECIAL AND HOLY OFFERING TO GOD ALMIGHTY BY ALL GOD’S CHILDREN
1) THE LORD WANTS THE FIRST AND THE BEST OF EVERYTHING. AND THERE MUST NOT BE ANY DELAY: EXODUS 23:19 The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God.
EXODUS 23:29-30 “Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me.
GOD HAS ALWAYS DEMANDED OUR FIRST AND BEST GIFT AND HE EXPECTS THAT THOSE OFFERINGS BE TREATED WITH UTMOST CARE AND DIVINE WISDOM AND THE FEAR OF GOD,BOTH BY THE PEOPLE AND THE PRIESTS
WE CAN SEE THAT THROUGHOUT THE PAGES OF SCRIPTURE, GOD DOES NOT ONLY DESERVE OUR FIRST AND BEST GIFT, HE ACTUALLY DEMANDS IT.
ABRAHAM WAS A VERY PROSPEROUS MAN WITH ABUNDANT LIVESTOCK AND A BEAUTIFUL HOUSEHOLD
YET NONE OF IT MEANT ANYTHING TO HIM IN COMPARISON TO HIS DEAR SON ISAAC, WHO WAS HIS PRECIOUS CHILD OF PROMISE.
YET IT WAS PRECISELY ISAAC THAT GOD DEMANDED AND IT WAS ISAAC THAT ABRAHAM WILLINGLY OFFERED.
GOD CHOSE MOSES TO DELIVER HIS PEOPLE AND REVEAL HIS LAWS,HE WROTE MORE THAN SIX-HUNDRED VOLUMINOUS AND DIVERSE LAWS
YET THERE IS ONE MESSAGE THAT CONSTANTLY RUNS THROUGH THEM FROM START TO FINISH ,IT IS THAT “THE LORD WANTS THE FIRST AND THE BEST OF EVERYTHING. AND THERE MUST NOT BE ANY DELAY:
GOD WANTS THE FIRST AND THE BEST OF EVERYTHING WITHOUT ANY DELAYS
THE FIRST OF YOUR GOATS THE FIRST OF YOUR SHEEP,THE FIRST OF YOUR FORTUNE
THE FIRST OF YOUR CHILDREN THE FIRST OF YOUR SONS
THE FIRST HOUR OF THE DAY, THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK
THE FIRST MONTH OF THE YEAR . THIS IS WHERE THE 21 DAYS JANUARY FAST CAME FROM
KING DAVID THAT SWEET SINGER OF ISRAEL AND A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART KNEW HIS HEAVENLY FATHER WELL ENOUGH TO RESOLVE TO GIVE HIM THE BEST.
HE SAYS IN” 2 SAMUEL 24:24 I WILL NOT GIVE WHAT HAS COST ME NOTHING.
BRETHREN, FOR GOD ONLY THE FIRST AND THE BEST WOULD DO.
WHEN WE GIVE GOD OUR BEST WE SHOW HIM THAT WE HAVE SURRENDERED TO HIM INSTEAD OF “SQUEEZING” HIM IN.
WHEN WE GIVE HIM THE FIRST AND BEST WE’RE ACTUALLY SAYING, “YOU CAN TAKE WHATEVER YOU WANT.” EVERYTHING ELSE IS YOURS TOO
GIVING IS REALLY AN OUTWARD EXPRESSION OF OUR INNER LOVE FOR GOD AND COMMITMENT TO HIM GIVING GOD WHAT IS FIRST AND BEST IS THE PLAINEST POSSIBLE DECLARATION TO HIM THAT WHATEVET IS OURS ,ACTUALLY BELONGS TO HIM GIVING GOD OUR FIRST FRUITS NOT JUST IN MONEY TERMS BUT IN EVERY WAY IS NOTHING LESS THAN DECLARATION OF OUR COMPLETE LOVE AND SURRENDER TO HIM
2) THE FIRST FRUIT OFFERINGS WERE TO BE BROUGHT SPECIFICALLY TO THE PRIEST IN CHARGE OF GOD’S HOUSE, BECAUSE THE PRIEST HAS NO OTHER SOURCE OF INCOME
THEY MUST BE TAKEN TO THE TEMPLE WHERE THE PRIESTS CARRIED OUT THE ACTIVITIES OF MINISTERING TO THE SPIRITUAL AND OTHER NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE NATION OF ISRAEL
DEUTERONOMY 18:1-9
The priests the Levites, and all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and his inheritance.Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren: the LORD is their inheritance, as he hath said unto them. And this shall be the priest’s due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep; and they shall give unto the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw. The firstfruit also of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him. For the LORD thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes, to stand to minister in the name of the LORD, him and his sons for ever. And if a Levite come from any of thy gates out of all Israel, where he sojourned, and come with all the desire of his mind unto the place which the LORD shall choose; Then he shall minister in the name of the LORD his God, as all his brethren the Levites do, which stand there before the LORD. They shall have like portions to eat, beside that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony.When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
3) THE FIRST FRUIT MUST BE TAKEN TO THE PLACE SPECIFIED BY GOD AND NOT JUST ANY PLACE
DEUTERONOMY 26:1-3 : And it shall be, when thou art come in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and possessest it, and dwellest therein; That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name there. And thou shalt go unto the priest that shall be in those days, and say unto him, I profess this day unto the LORD thy God, that I am come unto the country which the LORD sware unto our fathers for to give us.
NOTE THAT THE PLACE OF OFFERING MUST BE AS THE SPIRIT LEADS ,IT MUST BE THE PLACE WHICH THE LORD THY GOD SHALL CHOOSE
WE ALSO SEE THIS INSTRUCTION IN DEUTERONOMY 12:5-8;11-14
But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:
De:12:6: And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks:
De:12:7: And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.
De:12:8: Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes………………… :
4) NO ONE WAS ALLOWED TO OFFER THEIR SACRIFICES JUST WHEREVER THEY CHOSE
DEUTERONOMY 12:13-14 Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest: But in the place which the LORD shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee.
I GUESS THE RELATIONSHIP OF EVERY PRIEST WITH THE LORD IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN THESE MATTERS
SO BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT WHO YOU CHOOSE TO MNISTER TO YOU
5))) THE FIRST FRUIT WAS A YEARLY SACRIFICE
NEHEMIAH 10:35,39 “And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the LORD: 39: For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.
6) PRIESTS MUST FIRST BE TAKEN CARE OF AND THAT GIVING TO THEM FIRST MEANT THAT GOD’S WORK WAS PLACED AS PRIORITY
ALL FIRSTBORN ANIMALS AND MALES WERE GOD’S FIRST FRUIT OFFERINGS AND THEY WERE TO BE GIVEN TO THE PRIEST IN THE PLACE WHERE THE LORD HAS PLACED HIS NAME
THIS MEANS THAT NEGLECT OF THE FIRST FRUIT OFFERINGS MEANT THAT THE PRIESTS WOULD STARVE AND STOP FOCUSSING ON GOD’S WORK
NEHEMIAH INSISTED THAT THE PRIESTS MUST FIRST T BE TAKEN CARE OF AND THAT GIVING TO THEM FIRST MEANT THAT GOD’S WORK WAS PLACED AS PRIORITY. NEHEMIAH 13:10-14 “ And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field.:11: Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.12: Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.13: And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.14: Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.
7 THE PRIEST ,AS GOD’S REPRESENTATIVE MUST RECEIVE THE FIRST FRUIT AS A WORSHIP OFFERING TO GOD AND PRONOUNCE GOD’S BLESSINGS ON THE HOUSE OF THE GIVER
Eze:44:30: And the first of all the firstfruits of all things, and every oblation of all, of every sort of your oblations, shall be the priest’s: ye shall also give unto the priest the first of your dough, that he may cause the blessing to rest in thine house.
8 THE PRIEST SHOULD NEVER BE SELFISH OR RECKLESS WITH THE SACRIFICES OF THE PEOPLE
THE TWO SONS OF ELI DIED FROM DISRESPECTING GOD AND THE OFFERINGS BROUGHT TO GOD BY HIS PEOPLE
EXODUS 35: 1-6 “And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying, Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass, And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD’s offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments. And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the LORD. The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.
EXODUS 36:1-7
1: Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD had commanded.2: And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it: 3: And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning. 4: And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made; 5: And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make. 6: And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing. 7: For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.
WE HAVE ALSO SEEN THAT IN THE EARLIER MESSAGES SCRIPTURE RECORDS THAT A FIRST FRUIT OFFERING WAS GIVEN TO PROPHET ELISHA IN TIME OF FAMINE, WHICH HE USED TO FEED THE PEOPLE AROUND HIM
2 KINGS 4:40-42 “So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof.41: But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.42: And there came a man from Baal-shalisha, 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.
NEHEMIAH 13:13: And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.
NEHEMIAH 12:44 “And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.”
9)GOD PLACES A DEMAND ON THE PRIEST TO GIVE HIM THE BEST AND BE EXAMPLES TO THE FLOCK
MALACHI 1:6-14 :6: A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?7: Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.:8: And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.9: And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts.10: Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand. 11: For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts. 12: But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible. 13: Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.14: But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the LORD a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.”
MALACHI 2: 4-7 And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.5: My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. 6: The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.7: For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
10) EVERY PRIEST SHOULD BE A GOOD STEWARD OF GOD’S TREASURIES, THERE MUST BE ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
EXODUS 36: 3 – 7 “3: And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning.4: And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made;5: And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make.6: And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.7: For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.
NEHEMIAH 10: 38-39, “And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house.:39: For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.
HOW DO THESE LAWS CONCERN US TODAY? HOW RELEVANT ARE THEY TO US WHO ARE NEW TESTAMENT SAINTS?
THE JEWS ALWAYS FOLLOWED THIS PRACTICE OF GIVING OFFERINGS TO MEN AND WOMEN IN MINISTRY
ABRAHAM SET THE PACE BY GIVING AN OFFERING TO MELCHIZEDEK, PRIEST OF THE MOST HIGH GOD GEN 14 :17-24
And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale.And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all: And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich: Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.
ABRAHAM WAS ALSO WILLING TO OFFER ISAAC TO GOD IN OBEDIENCE TO HIS VOICE AND GOD GAVE HIM A GENERATIONAL BLESSING
1 SAMUEL 9: 5-10. RECORDS THAT SAUL GAVE GIFTS TO PROPHET SAMUEL WHEN HE SOUGHT HELP TO LOCATE HIS FATHER’S DONKEYS
THE LORD JESUS HIMSELF RECEIVED GIFTS OF MONEY AND OINTMENT FROM THE PEOPLE TO WHOM HE MINISTERED.
HE EVEN HAD A MONEY BAG, WHICH WAS THE SAME THING AS A MODERN DAY BANK ACCOUNT.
TODAY, THE PRIESTS AND TEMPLE WOULD REPRESENT YOUR PASTOR AND YOUR CHURCH WHERE YOUR SPIRITUAL AND OTHER NEEDS ARE MET
THE PRINCIPLE IS THAT YOU SHOULD GIVE TO THE MAN OR WOMAN OF GOD WHO MINISTERS TO YOU IN ANY WAY.
ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE, HE OR SHE IS WORTHY OF THE REWARD.
1 Tim 5:17-18 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
1 Co:9:9-14 “For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?: Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel?”
THE LOVE OF GOD AND LOVE OF OTHERS IS GREATLY EMPHASIZED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
THE GREATEST EXPRESSION OF LOVE IS TO GIVE .JOHN 3:16
ROMANS 5 :8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
GIVING TO GOD AND OTHERS IS THE GREATEST EXPRESSION OF THE LOVE OF GOD IN OUR HEARTS
MATT 22:35-40 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
MATT 25:35-46
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?: Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
WE MUST ALWAYS GIVE TO THE LORD AND TO OTHERS WITH A CHEERFUL HEART FOR GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER
DO YOU KNOW WHY CAIN’S FIRST FRUIT WERE REJECTED? I BELIVE IT WAS BECAUSE HIS HERAT WAS REALLY EVIL
HE DID NOT LOVE HIS BROTHER ELSE HE WOULD NOT HAVE KILLED HIM.HOW IS YOUR HEART TOWARDS OTHERS?
HOW IS YOUR HOME,YOUR FORGIVENESS AND MERCY HOSEA 6:4-6
O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.
5 Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.
6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
7 But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.
THE LORD REPEATS THESE WORDS IN MATH 9:9-13
FINALLY GOD HASTENS THE FULFILLMENT OF THE PROPHETIC PROMISES WHEN AN OFFERING IS GIVEN
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.
2KINGS 3:17-25
9 “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.
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 IN ABSOLUTE WORSHIP.
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
MINISTRATION
REPENTANCE AND SALVATION AND PERSONAL REDEDICATION WILL YOU RE-DEDICATE YOUR ALL TO GOD TODAY?
WELL THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO TRULY GIVE ANYTHING TO GOD
YOU HAVE TO BE TRULY BORN AGAIN 2 COR. 8:1-5 “Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;2: How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.3: For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;4: Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.5: And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
UNLESS YOU FIRST GAVE YOUR HEART TO GOD ALL OFFERINGS ARE A WASTE. THEY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTABLE.
LET US PRAY EZEKIEL 44:30;
BUT FIRST MALACHI 2:13- 17
And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.
Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.
For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.
Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?
LET COUPLES STAND AND TRULY RECONCILE THERE DIFFERENCES RIGHT NOW IF YOU WANT GOD TO RECEIVE YOUR OFFERINGS EPHES,5:25-END
MEN IN PARTICULAR NEED TO TRULY TREAT THEIR WIVES WELL. 1 PETER 3:8
DEUTERONOMY 26 IS A VOW TO GOD AS YOU BRING HIM YOUR OFFERINGS
1) LIFT UP YOUR HANDS TO GOD AND SAY AFTER ME” FATHER IN THE NAME OF JESUS, I THANK YOU FOR THE SALVATION OF MY SOUL”
2) FATHER IN JESUS NAME I THANK YOU FOR THE WISDOM, STRENGTH, AND OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE MY OFFERINGS
3) I WORSHIP YOU WITH MY LIFE AND OFFERINGS AND I RECOGNISE YOU AS THE ONLY SOURCE OF ALL MY INCOME IN JESUS NAME AND , I HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU ARE MY PRIORITY
4) THANK YOU FATHER FOR THE GRACE AND OPPORTUNITY YOU GAVE ME TO STAND IN YOUR PRESENCE THIS DAY WITH MY FIRSTFRUIT OFFERING
5) I WAS A LOST SOUL, BUT YOUR MERCY FOUND ME AND PROSPERED ME SPIRITUALLY, PHYSICALLY AND FINANCIALLY
6) THANK YOU FATHER FOR SETTING ME AND MY FAMILY FREE FROM SATANIC YOKES AND OPPRESSION BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST,THANK YOU FATHER FOR BLESSING US WITH ABUNDANT LIFE IN CHRIST
7) FATHER I HAVE NOW BROUGHT THE FIRST FRUITS FOR THIS YEAR TO YOUR ALTAR, IN ORDER TO BLESS AND WORSHIP YOU WITH IT TODAY IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR WORD
8) FATHER THIS IS MY WAVE OFFERING AND WORSHIP TO YOUR HOLY NAME IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST WAVE YOUR HANDS IN WORSHIP)
9) AS I WAVE MY OFFERING TO YOU THIS DAY MAY I REJOICE IN ALL THE GOOD THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN ME AND ENJOY YOUR PEACE, JOY, HEALTH AND LONGLIFE WITH ALL MY HOUSE HOLD ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST
10) FATHER GRANT ME THE GRACE TO REMAIN FAITHFUL TO YOU IN TITHES AND OFFERINGS THROUGH OUT THIS YEAR THAT YOUR HOUSE MAY BE PROVIDED FOR IN JESUS NAME
11) GRANT ME THE GRACE TO ALWAYS TREAT MY TITHES AND OFFERINGS AS HOLY UNTO YOU ONLY AND TO FEAR YOU AND KEEP YOUR COMMANDMENTS IN JESUS NAME
12) FATHER AS YOU HAVE GRANTED ME THE GRACE TO BRING YOU MY 1ST FIRST FRUIT OFFERING ,LET IT BE ACCEPTABLE TO YOU BY THE POWER IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST
13) OH GOD HAVE MERCY ON ME AND MY FAMILY AND USE ALL MY OFFERINGS AS KEY TO OUR INCREASE, ENLARGEMENT ,PROMOTION,UNCOMMON FAVOUR, DELIVERANCE AND PROTECTION IN THIS NEW YEAR IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST
14) AS I GIVE MY FIRST FRUIT OFFERINGS THIS YEAR, LET THE POWER OF THE WASTERS BE DESTROYED FROM ALL OUR LIVES IN JESUS NAME
15) AS I GIVE MY FIRST FRUIT OFFERINGS THIS YEAR, DELIVER ME AND MY CHILDREN AND CHILDREN’S CHILDREN FROM LOSSES AND FROM ALL EVILS IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST
16) AS I GIVE MY FIRST FRUIT OFFERINGS THIS YEAR, ENVELOPE OUR LIVES WITH YOUR PRESENCE THAT MONEY CANNOT BUY IN THE NAME JESUS CHRIST
17) AS I GIVE MY FIRST FRUIT OFFERINGS THIS YEAR, I PLUG MYSELF AND MY FAMILY INTO THE SOCKET OF FINANCIAL OPEN HEAVENS IN JESUS NAME.
18) AS I GIVE MY FIRST FRUIT OFFERINGS THIS YEAR,I PLUG MYSELF AND MY FAMILY INTO THE SOCKET OF UNCOMMON BREAKTHROUGHS IN JESUS NAME.
19) AS I GIVE MY FIRST FRUIT OFFERINGS THIS YEAR, I PLUG MYSELF AND MY FAMILY INTO THE SOCKET OF DOMINION PROSPERITY IN JESUS NAME,
20) AS I GIVE MY FIRST FRUIT OFFERINGS THIS YEAR, I PLUG MYSELF AND ALL MY FAMILY MEMBERS INTO THE SOCKET OF UNCOMMON FAVOUR IN JESUS NAME,
21) AS I GIVE MY FIRST FRUIT OFFERINGS THIS YEAR, I PLUG MYSELF AND FAMILY INTO THE SOCKET OF UNIMAGINABLE ACHIEVEMENTS, AND TOTAL VICTORY, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST
22) AS I GIVE MY 1ST FRUIT OFFERING, LET ITS SANCTIFYING POWER FLOW DOWN INTO ALL AREAS OF MY LIFE AND THE LIVES OF ALL MY FAMILY MEMBERS AND INTO ALL OUR OTHER INCOMES, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST.
23) AS I GIVE MY FIRST FRUIT OFFERINGS THIS YEAR,I PLUG MYSELF AND FAMILY INTO THE SOCKET OF FINANCIAL OPEN HEAVENS,AND WE ARE PLUGGED INTO UNCOMMON BREAKTHROUGHS, AND UNCOMMON FAVOUR WITH GOD AND MEN IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST,
24) AS I GIVE MY FIRST FRUIT OFFERINGS NOW , ALL MY FAMILY AND I ARE PLUGGED INTO UNIMAGINABLE ACHIEVEMENT, DOMINION PROSPERITY AND TOTAL VICTORY THIS YEAR IN JESUS MIGHTY NAME
25) THIS YEAR O LORD, CATAPULT ME AND MY FAMILY MEMBERS INTO YOUR DIVINE LOCATION, POSITION, ANOINTING AND WISDOM FOR OUR LIVES IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS CHRIST.
26) LET THE MILK AND HONEY OF THE EARTH BE DEPOSITED INTO OUR BOSOM IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. AMEN.”
27) LET THE SANCTIFYING POWER OF THE 1ST FRUITS SANCTIFY AND PRESERVE ME AND MY FAMILY PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY FOREVER IN JESUS NAME( NOW PRAY IN TONGUES)
28) (TONGUES)
FINAL BENEDICTION AND COMMUNION
DEUTERONOMY 26: 16-19 “ 16 This day the Lord your God has commanded you to do these statutes and ordinances. Therefore you shall keep and do them with all your [mind and] heart and with all your being.17 You have [openly] declared the Lord this day to be your God, [pledging] to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes and His commandments and His precepts, and to hearken to His voice. 18 And the Lord has declared this day that you are His peculiar people as He promised you, and you are to keep all His commandments; 19 And He will make you high above all nations which He has made, in praise and in fame and in honor, and that you shall be a holy people to the Lord your God, as He has spoken.
HEAVENLY FATHER BY THE POWER IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST YOUR SON, LOOK DOWN FROM YOUR HOLY HABITATION AND BLESS US YOUR PEOPLE, BLESS OUR HOMES AND CHURCHES AND BLESS NAMIBIA IN JESUS MIGHT NAME
HEAVENLY FATHER, LOOK DOWN FROM YOUR HOLY HABITATION AND. AND RECIEVE AND SANCTIFY ALL OUR GIFTS AND SACRIFICES THIS DAY AND BLESS US ALL IN RETURN IN THE NAME OF JESDUS CHRIST
HEAVENLY FATHER, BY THE POWER IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST YOUR SON, LOOK DOWN FROM YOUR HOLY HABITATION AND LET MULTIPLICATION ,PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION BE EXPERIENCED BY US ALL AND IN ALL OUR HOMES BECAUSE WE HAVE OBEYED YOUR WORD IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST
IN THESE DAYS OF SICKNESS, DEATH AND POVERTY, HEAVENLY FATHER, BY THE POWER IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST YOUR SON, LOOK DOWN FROM YOUR HOLY HABITATION AND LET OUR FIRST FRUIT OFFERING GUARANTEE OUR BLESSINGS AND DELIVERANCES AS WE WORSHIP YOU WITH IT IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST
HEAVENLY FATHER, BY THE POWER IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST YOUR SON, LOOK DOWN FROM YOUR HOLY HABITATION AND RECEIVE OUR FIRST FRUIT,TITHES AND OFFERINGS, AND OUR PERSONAL SERVICES TO THE LORD IN HIS HOUSE OR IN OUTREACH,THIS YEAR IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST
IT IS WRITTEN THAT THE SON OF THE WIDOW OF ZAREPHATH FELL ILL AND DIED,SHE WAS EXPECTING HERSELF AND SON TO DIE AFTER THEIR LAST MEAL BUT LIFE CAME INTO THE HOUSE INSTEAD OF DEATH
HEAVENLY FATHER, BY THE POWER IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST YOUR SON, LOOK DOWN FROM YOUR HOLY HABITATION AND LET THE POWER OF RESUURECTION FLOOD OUR LIVES ,HOMES,BUSINESSES AND FAMILY IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST
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 FROM THE DEAD, PROPHETIC RELOCATION IN TIMES OF FAMINE AND RESTORATION OF HER LAND AFTER A FAMINE
HEAVENLY FATHER, BY THE POWER IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST YOUR SON, LOOK DOWN FROM YOUR HOLY HABITATION AND LET UNCOMMON MIRACLES BE IN ALL OUR LIVES AND FAMILIES IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST