A New Day to a Fresh Start…
- Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need
– Malachi 3:10 - While giving is a part of our Christian walk, as we trust in Him, we shall give a full tenth of the first.
- Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, 21 so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God, 22 and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.
– Genesis 28:21-22 - It is said that giving falls under the law, which means we should no longer sow our tithes, firstfruits, or any other offering. Giving is not only mentioned in the Old Testament but is also mentioned throughout the Bible. Giving reflects the condition of our hearts, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Having a giving heart, a giving spirit has always been a blessing to me and for me to be able to bless others.
- give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you
- Luke 6:38 - For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches
– Romans 11:16 - As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life
1 Timothy 6:17-19 - Firstfruits are different from the tithe…
Tithing is a set amount at 10% of your gross earnings while firstfruits is an undetermined amount that you will not know until the money is in your hands. For example, business owners will often put their first dollar in a frame on the wall, but the firstfruits doesn’t go on the wall, it goes to the Lord. Today it could be the first sale in a new business, the first paycheck of a new job, the first paycheck of the year, or simply giving it in the first month of a new year, are some examples. - to bring the firstfruits of our dough, our offerings, the fruit from all kinds of trees, the new wine and oil, to the priests, to the storerooms of the house of our God; and to bring the tithes of our land to the Levites, for the Levites should receive the tithes in all our farming communities
– Nehemiah 10:37 - As soon as the command was spread abroad, the people of Israel gave in abundance the firstfruits of grain, wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field. And they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything
– 2 Chronicles 31:5 - The offering of firstfruits was an occasion of thanksgiving, so we are to give with gladness.
- Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver
– 2 Corinthians 9:7 - ACTION:
- Read Deuteronomy 26:1-11
- Be Encouraged!
Blessings & Miracles,
Karen Boyd, Christian Life Coach