The first fruits according to the Bible
(The power of the first fruits in the Bible) On several occasions the Lord Jesus led the scribes and Pharisees to look at the Scriptures beyond the letter, to read them by the Spirit, the Spirit that inspired them: the Holy Spirit, since the Scripture itself tells us:
“All Scripture is inspired by God, and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, instructing, so that the man of God may be perfect (mature) equipped for every good work”
(2 Tim. 3:16-17). Today we will approach the Word from this perspective with the theme: the power of the firstfruits.
DEFINITION OF THE WORD “FIRST FRUITS”:
Numbers 18:12 “Oil, new wine, and wheat, all the choicest, the firstfruits of which they present to the Lord, I have given them to you.”
b. In the Greek of the New Testament, the word is “park” which translates: first part, offering of the first fruits, first of a series, as 1 Corinthians 15:23 tells us.
Just as in the Old Testament the first fruits guaranteed a bountiful harvest, when Christ rose, he guaranteed a bountiful resurrection of the sons of God, as a harvest-
b. The Holy Spirit was sent as the first fruit of the coming Kingdom, Romans 8:23.
“And not only her, but also ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.”
The Holy Spirit, his work, his power and his gifts among us, come to be a powerful initial sample or scoop of all the glory and blessing that awaits us. In the presence of God we are blessed and strengthened with his power and revelation
Note: Note that God says: “when you enter the land that I give you”, all creation (visible and invisible) belongs to God. Being an agricultural people, with the fruit of their land, they recognized that God is the owner of all things. The firstfruit is a sign by which it is recognized that all things come from God.
b.
Thank God for his blessings, Deuteronomy 26:1-3.
“When you have entered the land that the Lord your God is giving you by inheritance, and take possession of it and inhabit it, then you will take of the first fruits of all the fruits “.
When you have come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and take possession of it and live in it, take it out of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, and put it in a basket, and go to the place that the LORD your God is giving you. God will choose to make his name dwell there. And you will present yourself to the priest…”.
Today we are not obliged to celebrate the festivals of Jehovah of the Old Testament, however, knowing that they did this out of gratitude to God, and to recognize his goodness and provision, we must today also thank and honor God with our goods.
On each of these three festivals the Israelites brought their firstfruits to the temple.
He also commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the corresponding portion to the priests so that they might dedicate themselves to the law of the Lord… then the children of Israel gave many first fruits and brought in abundance the tithes of all things… “.
As a result of all these actions, the Bible tells us in verses 20 and 21: “Thus did Hezekiah in all Judah; and he did what was good, and what was right and true before the Lord his God. In all that he undertook in the service of the house of God, according to the law, he sought his God, he did so with all his heart, and he prospered.”
Note: It is interesting that the Bible says about King Hezekiah: “Hezekiah had riches and glory, many in a great way, because God had given him, and he prospered in everything he did”, and we observe in this text that his heart walked in the law of God and in the financial principles of the kingdom.
God was conducive to King Hezekiah’s faithfulness and he prospered. The law of sowing and reaping is real, dynamic and comprehensive.
(I invite you to read: God brings the best for your life. ).
Note: God is good, by nature he cares for his creation, he is the one who gives us life and the ability to work. What is honoring God with our possessions? The word “honor” is translated from the Hebrew term “kabed” which further translates: dignity, distinction of honor, recognition of importance and greatness, give glory. It implies admiration and respect.
When we do this then our barns, that is, our work, business or profession will be blessed with the abundance of heaven.
(I invite you to read: Sermons written to preach).
conclusion: There are many ways to worship God, to honor him, without a doubt our obedience is our best worship, obey him in everything, honor him in everything, even in our finances. God takes care of us, how can we not thank him.
Walking in the principles of God is a blessing and privilege, the first fruits are a divine design for the blessing of the Christian people. It is more blessed to give than to receive.
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2nd part: The feast of the first fruits.
God has established different principles for blessing to pour abundance on each of his children, and one of these is to give with love and joy. The firstfruit is one of the ways, according to the Scripture teaches us, to honor the Lord and seek the extension of his kingdom.
Undoubtedly, the firstfruits are an expression by which we express that we give the Lord the first place and honor.
The Feast of First Fruits is a recognition of God’s lordship and sovereignty over all things.
The Bible also teaches us that God’s prosperity for his children is integral: “beloved, I want you to prosper in everything, just as your soul prospers.” The Lord’s desire to also bless our finances is manifest throughout all of Scripture.
(I invite you to read: Sermons written to preach).
“And the firstfruits of all the first fruits of all, and every offering of everything that is presented of all your offerings, shall belong to the priests; likewise you shall give to the priest the firstfruits of all your masses, so that the blessing rests in your houses No dead or torn thing, whether bird or animal, shall the priests eat.”