Day 36: First Fruits

5 Feb, 2016

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Friday, February 5th, 2016
Exodus 21:22-23:13
Matthew 24:1-28
Psalm 29:1-11
Proverbs 7:6-23
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1eSjwCP

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

You shall not delay to offer the first of your ripe produce and your juices. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me. – Ex 22:29

Our first fruits should go to God right away. The first fruit is holy because when we give the first fruit, the next fruits are never guaranteed.  We give God the absolute best we have to give, without delay, because we love Him with all our heart!

In Gen 4, we see two types of offering. Abel brought his firstborn (v 4); Cain, on the other hand, brought an offering of fruit “…in the process of time” (v 3). When Abel offered the firstborn of his flock to God, he didn’t know if more were coming. Cain, on the other hand, waited until his own barn was full, and his own needs were taken care of, and then honored God. “And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering” (Gen 4:4-5).

The principle of first fruits clearly applies to our financial giving. However, it also applies to so much more:

  • I give God the first fruits of my time by praying first thing every morning. I make sure I set aside time for Him, knowing that nothing is more important. If something falls off my calendar because I run out of time, it’s not going to be my time alone with God!
  • I give God the first fruits of my praise by acknowledging Him first whenever something good happens. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights” (Jas 1:17). I honor Him accordingly! I don’t pat myself – or anyone else – on the back for a job well done until God receives His honor and His praise.

Give God your first. Give God your best. He is worthy!

Prayer:

Father, You are the source of every blessing in my life. I love You with all my heart. Help me to honor You with my first fruits, because You are worthy of it all!

View today’s post on our website: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-36-first-fruits/

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See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-36-end-time-prophecy/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-36-pray-for-our-rulers/

© Michael D. White, 2016. All rights reserved.