First Fruits Facts (Genesis 4:3-4; Joshua 6:1-7:26; 1 Samuel 2:29; 15:21)

The basic necessity of tithing was established in Abraham, for the believer, in that 400 years before the law, he tithed, as did every person at that time:

1. to the God he worshipped

2. to the God that was His deliverance

First Fruits goes beyond the tithe, to some extent, in that those that reject the admonition of scripture, out of religious tradition; lack of understanding; or simply rebellion to the word, definitely stumble over offering first fruits to God as well. However, technically, first fruits comes before the tithe, giving the first of your harvest, before the full harvest has even been realized, so that it is even possible to have a tithe to give.

The importance of first fruits can be seen from some very familiar, but perhaps, misunderstood, scripture texts:

CAIN AND ABLE

Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering...doesn't even suggest it was a tithe...but Able brought of the Firstlings of his flock. Able brought the first fruits, and God had respect to Able and to his offering. (Gen.4:3-4)

JOSHUA AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL

The children of Israel were not to touch anything in Jericho, because it was the first city to be conquered, consecrated to the Lord. Yet Achan did take of the first fruits, and the rest, as they say, is history. (Josh.6:1-7:26)

ELI'S REBELLIOUS SONS

Obviously there was tremendous wickedness involved that cost Eli's household the priesthood, but one of the things God specifically pinpointed, was "...you looked upon my incense offering, and upon my sacrifice offering with an impudent eye, and glorified your sons above me, in them blessing themselves with the FIRST FRUIT of every sacrifice of Israel, prior of me."(1Sam.2:29, LXX)

SAUL'S INCOMPLETE OBEDIENCE WITH AMALEK

Saul's half-hearted admission was, "...the people took of the spoils of the flocks and the herds, the FIRST FRUIT of the offering for consumption (KJV,...which should have been utterly destroyed...), to sacrifice before the Lord our God in Gilgal" (1Sam.15:21, LXX)

Though slightly on the negative side, the emphasis is on the importance of the first fruits, and giving what belongs to God, to Him, and Him alone.

Cain - lost his place with God

Israel - lost lives in battle

 Eli - lost the priesthood

 Saul - lost the kingdom

Giving the first fruits IS NOT a place of LOSS.

Giving the first fruits IS a place of GAIN.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours.