The Bible speaks of giving first fruits as a way to honor God with the best of what we have. This practice reflects gratitude and trust in God’s provision. Today, let’s look at the concept of first fruits and how it applies to our lives.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About False Idols
What Does The Bible Say About First Fruits
Proverbs 3:9
“Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;”
This verse emphasizes the importance of giving back to God the first and best of what we have. It teaches us to honor the Lord with our wealth by acknowledging His provision in our lives and offering Him the first portion of our income or produce.
Giving the firstfruits demonstrates our trust in God’s provision and shows our gratitude for His blessings. It is an act of surrendering our possessions to Him and acknowledging that everything we have comes from His hand.
Exodus 23:19
“Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God.”
In this verse, God instructs His people to bring the best of the firstfruits to His house. It is a command to prioritize honoring God and offering Him the first portion of their harvest as an act of worship.
By bringing the first and best to the house of the Lord, we acknowledge God’s sovereignty over our lives and recognize Him as the source of all blessings. It is a way of putting God first in our priorities and expressing our gratitude for His faithfulness.
Proverbs 3:10
“Then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
This verse follows the instruction to honor the Lord with our firstfruits, promising that if we do so, our provision will be abundant. God assures us that when we prioritize Him and give Him the first portion of our wealth, He will bless us abundantly.
By trusting in God’s provision and faithfully offering our firstfruits, we open ourselves up to experience His blessings and overflowing abundance in our lives. It is a reminder that God blesses those who honor Him and faithfully follow His commands.
Proverbs 15:20
“A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.”
This verse teaches us the value of honoring our parents, a principle that extends to our relationship with God as our heavenly Father. Just as a wise and obedient son brings joy to his earthly father, honoring and offering our firstfruits brings joy to our heavenly Father.
When we give our first and best to God, it reflects our reverence and love for Him. It is an act of obedience and faithfulness that pleases our Father in heaven and brings joy to His heart.
Proverbs 11:24-25
“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
This verse highlights the principle of giving and generosity. When we offer our firstfruits and give freely, we are promised that we will gain even more. It encourages us to be generous and open-handed, knowing that God blesses those who give and refresh others.
By giving our firstfruits, we participate in God’s economy of blessing and abundance. As we invest in the work of God and care for the needs of others, God promises to prosper and refresh us in return.
1 Corinthians 15:20
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
This verse refers to Jesus as the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep, emphasizing His resurrection as the first and foremost. Just as the firstfruits symbolize the beginning and representative of the whole harvest, Jesus’ resurrection holds the promise of our future resurrection and eternal life.
Jesus’ resurrection is a powerful testimony to His victory over sin and death. It is a reminder that through Jesus, we have the hope of new life and a glorious future. He is the ultimate firstfruit, paving the way for our redemption and eternal relationship with God.
Leviticus 23:10
“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter the land I am going to give you and you reap its harvest, bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain you harvest.”
This instruction from God to the Israelites highlights the importance of offering the first sheaf of grain as a firstfruit to the priest. It was a way of consecrating the harvest and acknowledging God’s ownership and provision.
By presenting the first sheaf, the Israelites demonstrated their trust in God’s faithfulness and their gratitude for His provision. It also served as a reminder that all subsequent blessings came from God and should be used in accordance with His will.
1 Corinthians 16:2
“On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.”
In this verse, the apostle Paul encourages the early Christians to set aside a portion of their income on the first day of the week for the collection. This practice reflects the principle of offering the firstfruits of their wealth for the work of the Lord and the needs of the community.
By consistently setting aside a portion of their income, the early Christians demonstrated their commitment to supporting the mission of the church and caring for one another. It is a reminder for us today to prioritize giving to God’s work and the needs of others.
Numbers 15:20-21
“Present a loaf from the first of your ground meal and present it as an offering from the threshing floor. Throughout the generations to come, you are to give this food offering to the LORD.”
In this verse, God instructs His people to present a loaf made from the first of their ground meal as an offering to Him. It was a perpetual command to give the firstfruits of their produce as a food offering for future generations.
By offering the first of their meal as a sacrifice, the Israelites demonstrated their obedience and trust in God’s provision. It served as a reminder for them and future generations to acknowledge God’s faithfulness and give Him the first portion of their daily sustenance.
Romans 11:16
“If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.”
This verse uses the analogy of the dough and branches to demonstrate the concept of firstfruits. Just as the first portion of the dough offered as firstfruits makes the whole batch holy, our offering of the firstfruits to God consecrates the rest of our possessions.
By giving the first and best to God, we acknowledge His holiness and authority over our lives. It is a reminder that when we prioritize God and honor Him with our firstfruits, He sanctifies and blesses every area of our lives.
Romans 8:23
“Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.”
In this verse, the apostle Paul refers to believers as having the firstfruits of the Spirit. It signifies the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, confirming our identity as children of God and guaranteeing our future redemption.
Having the firstfruits of the Spirit gives us a taste of the fullness and blessings that are to come. It instills in us a longing for our complete adoption as sons and daughters of God and the ultimate fulfillment of His promises.
Deuteronomy 26:10
“And now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, LORD, have given me.” Then you shall bow down before the LORD your God and rejoice in all the good things he has given to you and your household.”
This verse highlights the act of bringing the firstfruits as an expression of gratitude and worship. The Israelites were instructed to bow down before the Lord and rejoice in His goodness and provision as they presented their firstfruits.
When we offer our firstfruits, it is an opportunity to express our joy and thanksgiving for all the blessings God has bestowed upon us. It is a moment of worship where we acknowledge His faithfulness and goodness in our lives and invite His continued provision.
Jeremiah 2:3
“Israel was holy to the LORD, the firstfruits of his harvest; all who devoured her were held guilty, and disaster overtook them,” declares the LORD.”
In this verse, Israel is described as the firstfruits of the Lord’s harvest. It signifies the chosen and set-apart nature of the Israelites as God’s special people. Devouring or harming Israel would result in guilt and disaster.
The concept of Israel as the firstfruits foreshadows God’s plan for all nations to be blessed through the coming of Jesus Christ. It serves as a reminder that God sets apart a remnant for Himself and has a purpose for His chosen people.
James 1:18
“He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.”
This verse speaks of believers being a kind of firstfruits of all God created. It reflects the redemptive work of God in choosing and transforming us through the truth of His Word, making us a new creation.
As firstfruits, we are called to live as examples of God’s grace and redemption in the world. It is a reminder of our responsibility to represent God’s character and purpose, being set apart for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom.
Nehemiah 10:35
“We also assume the responsibility for bringing to the house of the LORD each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree.”
In this verse, the people of Israel commit to bringing the firstfruits of their crops and fruit trees to the house of the Lord each year. It signifies their faithfulness in offering the first portion of their produce to God.
This commitment to bringing the firstfruits demonstrates their continual acknowledgment of God’s provision and their commitment to honoring Him with the best of what they have. It is a reminder for us to faithfully give our first and best to God year after year.
Hosea 9:10
“When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the wilderness; when I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree.”
This metaphorical verse describes Israel as being like early fruit on a fig tree. It signifies their special status and the delight that God found in them. God had chosen and blessed Israel, just as the early fruit is precious and eagerly awaited.
It serves as a reminder that God delights in His people and chooses to bless them. Just as the early fruit represents the promise of a bountiful harvest, Israel’s existence and faithfulness foreshadowed God’s plan for the redemption and blessing of all nations through Jesus.
2 Chronicles 31:5
“As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits of their grain, new wine, olive oil and honey and all that the fields produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything.”
In this verse, the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits of their produce. They offered a tithe of everything, including grain, wine, olive oil, and honey. It was a display of their gratitude and obedience to God’s commandments.
Their generous giving of the firstfruits demonstrates their trust in God’s provision and their commitment to the work of the Lord. It is an example for us to follow, being willing to give abundantly and faithfully out of the blessings we have received.
Lamentations 2:20
“Look, LORD, and consider: Whom have you ever treated like this? Should women eat their offspring, the children they have cared for? Should priests and prophets be killed in the sanctuary of the Lord?”
In this verse, Lamentations speaks of the horrific consequences of the Babylonian captivity. It describes the desperate situation of mothers resorting to cannibalism and the killing of priests and prophets within the sanctuary.
Although not directly about firstfruits, this verse serves as a somber reminder of the seriousness of neglecting to honor and offer the first portion to God. It portrays the devastation that can result when people forsake their faith and fail to prioritize God’s commands.
Revelation 14:4
“These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb.”
In this verse, the apostle John describes a group of people who were offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. They are portrayed as faithful followers of Christ, redeemed and set apart for God’s purposes.
Being offered as firstfruits represents their dedication and consecration to God. It symbolizes their commitment to follow Jesus wherever He leads and their willingness to be a pure and holy offering to God and His Son.
Ezekiel 20:40
“On my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, declares the Sovereign LORD, there in the land the entire house of Israel will serve me, and there I will accept them. There I will require your offerings and your choice gifts, along with all your holy sacrifices.”
This verse speaks of the future restoration of Israel, where all the house of Israel will serve and worship God on His holy mountain. It anticipates a time of blessing and acceptance when God will require their offerings and choice gifts.
God’s acceptance of their offerings demonstrates His delight in their worship and obedience. It is a reminder that our offerings and firstfruits are a means of connecting with God and experiencing His acceptance and favor.
Ezekiel 44:30
“The best of all the firstfruits and of all your special gifts will belong to the priests. You are to give them the first portion of your ground meal so that a blessing may rest on your household.”
In this verse, the priests are instructed to receive the best of all the firstfruits and special gifts from the people. By giving them the first portions of their ground meal, it brings a blessing upon their household.
By honoring the priests with the firstfruits, the people acknowledged their spiritual leaders and supported the work and ministry they were involved in. It is a reminder for us to honor those who serve God faithfully and support them in their calling.
Revelation 14:14-16
“Then I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. Another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, ‘Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.’ So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.”
This dramatic imagery in Revelation depicts the harvest of the earth. The one like a son of man carries a sharp sickle and reaps the ripened harvest, symbolizing the end times and the gathering of God’s people.
While not directly referencing firstfruits, this passage conveys the significance of God’s timing and the culmination of His redemptive plan. It speaks of the ultimate gathering and harvest of those who belong to God and have been set apart as His special possession.