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Firstfruits

People often say that if you want to know what matters to someone, see what they do with their time and their money. These are probably the two most valuable resources we have today. That's why Jesus taught that wherever we store our treasure indicates what matters to us. Whatever we store on earth will only be temporary, but whatever we store in heaven will remain forever. 

Throughout the Bible, we learn how passionately God wants to be first in every area of our lives. When God brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, the first thing he told them was to give him the firstborn of the flocks.  It was God's way of teaching the Israelites to trust God to be their provider while also teaching us that God wants to be first.

In Exodus 23:19, God told the people of Israel to, “Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God".  This is where we learn the principle of the Firstfruits.  It's learning to give God the first and best of all that we have.  As we do this, it shows God how much we love and trust Him to provide for us.  It also positions us to receive an even greater blessing from God in return.

So often, we struggle to give our money because we are too possessive about it.  We don't want anyone telling us what to do with our money.  The problem with this idea is that we don't actually own it - God does.  After all, we are playing in his sandbox.

Everything we have and own is actually a gift from God for us to steward for Him. God asks us to return the firstfruits of our increase to the house of the Lord (our local place of worship).  

In Leviticus 27, God made it clear that our firstfruits should be the first ten percent of our increase. 

A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. (Leviticus 27:30)

You might be freaking out thinking, "how can God expect me to give 10% of my income?"  It might sound scary, but when you understand the blessing of the firstfruits, you also discover that it positions you to receive greater blessing from God.  The truth is this; your 90% with God's blessing is worth far more than 100% without it. God promises a blessing. The question is: do you believe Him?

Honor the Lord with your wealth, and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine. (Proverbs 3:9-10)

There is a promise attached to giving God the firstfruits of our increase.  God is faithful and even invites us to test him when it comes to our giving (See Malachi 3:10).  

We truly believe that you cannot out-give God.  When we honor God with the tithe, he returns so many blessings in our lives (not just financial)!  If you haven't taken the step of faith to begin giving, try it. If a tithe seems overwhelming, start somewhere that stretches your faith and begin giving to your local church now.  Then, watch what God will do in response.