firstfruits.

Last week we talked about being burned out and how we must focus our attention onto God for our source of strength. This week I would like to discuss giving Him our FIRSTFRUITS.

Now, no. I am not going to be talking about giving of your finances or tithes. Today, we simply want to talk about honoring God with the firstfruits of your life.

When we look at the Bible, every Israelite was commanded to take the first (and the best) of their crops or produce, put them in a basket, and give them to the priest when they went to worship - as found in Deuteronomy 26:1-11. The Jewish Feast of Weeks was where farmers would bring their firstfruits into the temple. This feast is also known as Pentecost, because the Israelites had to count fifty days from beginning of Passover, after which the firstfruits were presented to the Lord. On the first day after Passover, farmers would go out to look at their harvest to find the buds that sprang first. They would have special ribbons to mark those buds, and for the next fifty days they will tend their crop, paying careful attention to the ones they had marked. On the third day after Passover, the farmer would walk around again, and those buds that were ready to be presented would be cut right away, taken to the temple and given before God. On the fiftieth day, the farmer cuts all his marked plants but nothing else. Rather than only bringing ten percent, the entire crop of firstfruits are taken and left in the temple. 

Now, you must be wondering why all of that matters, but I wonder if the bigger and better question is, “is the life that I am currently living the best that it’s going to be?”

Matthew 6:33 ESV says,

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

How do we give God our firstfruits? We seek Him FIRST. We put Him first in our time, order and importance.

I am sure when Believers hear the phrase “give God your firstfruit!” we automatically think about finances, and although that is true, God desires the firstfruits of our lives. And furthermore, He desires to bless us with more too - not just financially. He wants you to prosper in your health, your finances, your relationships, even your happiness. Our God wants you to prosper and succeed in anything you put your hands to.

We have all experienced lack in our lives. It could be in our finances, our personal relationships, our careers, or even our relationship with Christ. Whether its intentional or not, choosing to put other things in your life before your relationship with the Lord can affect your family, your business, your relationships – and corporately as Christians, our unwillingness to put God first as a nation can effect our future as a whole. And it is currently.

During this Quarantine Season that we are in currently, I could remember a conversation I was having with God during my worship time - most of it was complaining to Him about being burned out and exhausted and tired of this season that I was going through, and that’s when it hit me. I wasn’t giving Him my first and best at all! He was receiving my complaints and my late night convos with Him the last ten minutes of my day. That’s not a relationship - that’s leftovers. To those of you who are couples out there, that is definitely one way to kill a relationship.

Sure, I was reading here and there, I am pastor and I minister to many virtually while we are quarantined, but let’s be honest, it became more of a check list that I marked off at the end of the day. My life started to enter in to survival mode; everything that I was doing was sporadic and hurried. It was no longer about God, but about me and how I can push through on my own strength.

But THANK GOD He chases us down and never stops calling on us! He asked me to give Him the first of my day. My mornings are for Him. Period. How can I encourage and pray for others when my cup was running on empty every day? Survival Mode.

Maybe you are running on empty? Maybe you have already entered into Survival Mode? How can you go about giving God your firstfruits? Let me give you some quick tips:

1. Stop trying to be LORD over your life.

Deuteronomy 8:17-18 NLT says,

17 He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ 18 Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.

God created everything! That’s right, EVERYTHING! God is the one who gives us the power to get through our day to day lives. God doesn’t desire for us to be burned out or overwhelmed, He wants us to live in prosperity and freedom! Are you clinging on to His Word or to your fifth cup of coffee to get you through the day?

When your desires, your plans and your ideas become more important to you than God’s plan, you have adopted the attitude of self-sufficiency. 

Remember that God gives us the power to be successful, not us.

2. Trust that His promises are true.

Philippians 4:19 TPT says,

19 I am convinced that my God will fully satisfy every need you have, for I have seen the abundant riches of glory revealed to me through the Anointed One, Jesus Christ!

When you are obedient with giving Him your firstfruits, you make it possible for the Lord to “open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings on you that you cannot contain.” (Malachi 3:10). Your obedience is what activates the power and promises of God. When you put God first, He is able to provide what He promises in His Word. And God never breaks a promise! Trust Him!

3. When we give God our firstfruits, it anchors our faith.

Matthew 6:19-21 TPT says,

19 “Don’t keep hoarding for yourselves earthly treasures that can be stolen by thieves. Material wealth eventually rusts, decays, and loses its value. 20 Instead, stockpile heavenly treasures for yourselves that cannot be stolen and will never rust, decay, or lose their value. 21 For your heart will always pursue what you value as your treasure.

Where have you placed your faith? In earthly possessions? In your job or career? In your marriage? Everyday our culture bombards us with thousands of messages each day calling us to over-consumption, endless accumulation, and the lie of happiness and security in earthly things. Through the discipline of giving God our firstfruits, we free ourselves from the bondage of being overwhelmed, burned out, exhausted, angry, always complaining and re-focus our lives back on Him.

Where is your heart? Have you given your heart over to Christ, or has it already been given away somewhere else? Maybe your heart stopped beating long ago. Maybe you haven’t had the drive to pursue Him in a long time. Well, today is a new day. Allow Jesus to love you back to life. He wants to give you new strength!

Life may not be perfect, but by choosing to give God your firstfruit, life can become more manageable. Instead of being angry and losing our temper, we can receive His peace and kindness. Instead of breaking down from exhaustion, we can receive His strength and mercy. God desires to bless you. He loves you so much!

SO, what is more important, my relationship with Jesus or my relationship with my pillow?

I am going to pick Jesus every time.

What are some things you can maneuver in your life so that Jesus can be first?

Let’s continue to give Him our first and best together!