I want to write about what it means to give God the first fruits of our lives, our very hearts, and be challenged to do so? As we explore Christ’s teaching, we discover that Christ taught on many things. It probably would not surprise any of us to learn that He taught about the kingdom of God more than any other topic. What might surprise some is that second only to His teaching on the kingdom of God, Christ taught on money. Now, why would Jesus teach on money second only to the kingdom of God? Because money has the unique power to reveal the condition of the human heart.
Jesus taught: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt 6:19-21). Certainly, these words of Christ can include our time, talent, and testimony, but most assuredly our treasure or simply stated our money.
Whether 1st century Palestine or 21st century Finger Lakes Region, money for many is the number one rival with God in the human heart. In our culture, everything we seek, directly or indirectly, is found in either money or Christ. We need to realize that money is the counterfeit. Here is the simple truth. Even if the church had all the money it could use, money would still have to be preached because money is a life-transformational issue.
Understand me. Money is not evil. It is not immoral to have possessions. In fact, one of the ways God blesses His children is through provisions. However, money presents each of us with a test that reveals the condition of our hearts.
Paul writes to his young protégé Timothy: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” ( 1 Tim 6:10). This verse does not speak against wealth. In fact, the love of money does not differentiate between rich and poor. Instead, the love of money is “a root of all kinds of evil” because it destroys faith.
All of us ought to answer a crucial question is whether we trust in God or money for our personal security? Money is not evil but does serve as a powerful test of the condition of our heart and, ultimately, our faith. This is why God calls us to the principle of first fruits. It’s not until we as believers understand our call to love God first, to place Him and His kingdom as our first priority, and embrace the foundational truth of His profound love and care for us, as well as, He is with us that we can live under the principle of first fruits.
What is the principle of first fruits? Believers are called to give the Lord the first fruits, a TITHE (10%). But unfortunately, teaching first fruits or tithing is often reduced to a mere message on personal belongings and income stewardship. Yes, this is part of it, but at its core, it’s a spiritual issue allowing us believers to live in empowered freedom and kingdom impact rather than being enslaved by our old walk and ways before coming to Christ.
The traditional and biblical means of funding God’s work as well as exercising faith in giving is through returning God’s tithe to the local church. Firstfruits (Tithing) is a biblical practice where a person returns a tenth of their income to demonstrate their trust in the Lord and, in doing so, support His work. The commandments found in the Old Testament dealing with tithing emphasize the amount (one-tenth…which is what a tithe means) of what is to be returned to Him (i.e., Lev 27:30-32). The Old Testament speaks of giving and specifically tithing in terms of amount and intricately spells out the process. The New Testament takes tithing and giving to a new level. The New Testament deals with tithing by emphasizing the heart behind the gift (i.e., Acts 2:44-45; 4:32).
The early church prescribed a tithe. They taught that it was an absolute minimum, which was to be given from one’s total income. This understanding of the tithe has been present in the church from its conception to this present day. However, let me be clear. Everything we have belongs to the Lord: “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1). Therefore, my giving of a tithe is a bare minimum because God is the true owner of 100% of my finance and possessions, and I am called to trust Him in all things.
When we boil it all down, firstfruits is about putting God first, trusting Him, and genuinely giving Him our heart. This releases the floodgates of God’s blessing on our lives (not always material, but far richer…peace, power, wisdom). Far more than a financial issue, at its core, firstfruits is a spiritual issue allowing us believers to live in empowered freedom and kingdom impact rather than being enslaved by our old ways of living before coming to Christ. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!