The Mystery of the First Fruit

The word “first” simply means coming earliest in order of numbering. As such, the first of anything would mean the topmost part of the list. Now, for parenting, just like the first child of a parent is referred to as the first fruit of that marriage, likewise, the first earning of a person (for the year) is best described as a first fruit offering. 

Unlike the tithes and offerings, you are not giving God a percentage; you are giving him all. The tithes are usually 10% of your monthly earnings, but the first fruit offering is the total earnings for the first month of the year, and in some cases it can be applicable at the middle or even end of the year.

There are certain instances where you have to give your first fruit offering.

• January (Beginning of a new year)
• The Beginning of a new job
• Beginning of a new salary (in the event of promotion, etc.)

Difference between First Fruit offerings, Tithes, Seeds and Offerings

I know it may be confusing because all these are acts of giving, but each of them has its own purpose and methodology.

The First Fruit Offering is a requirement for Christians, as seen in the scriptures. “The first of the first fruits of thy land thou shalt bring unto the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.” Exodus 34:26, KJV

Proverbs 3:9, Honor the Lord with thy substance and with the FIRST FRUITS of all thine increase. This scripture is basically telling us to bring every penny of our first earnings to God. A first fruit offering should be given whenever there is a new blessing you encounter as a Christian.

Read: Biography of Apostle (Dr) Emmanuel Iren

Tithes, on the other hand, are a requirement for Christians. As seen in Malachi 3: 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house. But the difference between this and the first fruit is that the tithe constitutes just a portion of your earnings. 

Deuteronomy 14:22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed that the field bringeth forth year by year. According to this verse, we must tithe on every penny of our income.

Seeds

Seeds are a bit different from the above. The seeds most people are familiar with are the ones used for planting, and although this is applicable here, a seed in this case is best described as a gift to God. However, just like when you plant a seed, it should produce a plant, which will then produce what was planted. Likewise, when you give a seed to God, you are trying to invoke something, and that seed will produce what you attach it to. 

For example, if you need a change in your salary, After praying, you can decide to give an amount to God while attaching it to your increase in salary prayer point. 

Seeds are not required by the scriptures; a seed is a voluntary act of giving to God. No percentage is attached; it is just between you and God.

Offering

Offerings are given to show gratitude to God. There is also no percentage attached to your offerings. As Christians, we should not go to the house of God empty handed; it is right to always show appreciation to God by giving out of the abundance he has provided. Deuteronomy 16:16b, 17 “They shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God that He has given you.”

Now that we have examined the types of giving, it is right to know the reason why we give. It is simple, obedience. As instructed in the Bible, we must give tithes, first fruits, and all acts of giving, including alms. 

We also give offerings to God to  access unusual doors. If you look at the scriptures, before certain encounters with God, there was an unusual giving. Take, for example, Solomon. Before God asked him to ask for whatever he wanted, he had already given an uncommon offering to God. Unusual gifs bring about unusual blessings. 

Apart from Solomon, look at the life of Abel. When he brought his offering to the Lord, the Bible said the Lord had regard for him. Do you know what that means? Do you know the joy of knowing this? Unusual giving opens a new relationship with God. Genesis 4:4 – “And Abel brought the best, the choicest parts of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering.”

Benefits of the First Fruit Offering   

Having looked at all of this, it is good to know that there are benefits attached to acts of giving. 

There shall be increase, and there will be no lack. Proverbs 3:10 says, So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

All the other money has been blessed as well. 

How should we give?

1. With a cheerful heart 

when giving, we have to give with a heart of gratitude and joy. God is not begging for our money, so we shouldn’t give unwillingly because if you don’t give, another person will.  2 Corinthians 9:-7 – “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

2. Bountifully

We must be generous in our giving. We can’t give God something that is not worth anything. When we give, we must give God the best, for he is the one who supplies all our needs. He is our source, so it is abnormal to give offerings or seeds to your helper like he is begging. 2 Corinthians 9:6 Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously

Biblical References for the First Fruit Offering

• Exodus 34:26 “You shall bring the very first of the first fruits of your soil into the house of the Lord your God.“You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.”
• Deuteronomy 18:4 “You shall give him the first fruits of your grain, your new wine, and your oil, and the first shearing of your sheep.”

Giving is a very important culture that every Christian should have. Apart from tithes, offerings, seeds, etc., it is important to give to the needy. I pray God gives us the grace to be cheerful givers.