Proving God With The First-fruits
Bishop David Ibeleme
God wants to show Himself strong on your behalf – Zeph. 3:15ff.
He wants to show Himself as El-Shaddai – The All Sufficient God.
That’s why He said “Prove me with the tithes and offerings” – Mal. 3:7ff.
He guaranteed certain things if we would simply bring the tithes to Him –
Mal. 3:10ff; Prov. 3:9ff.
There are various terminologies used to describe it in the bible;
First fruits – This deals with plant produce – Lev. 27:30.
Firstlings – This deals with animal produce – Num. 18:13ff.
Devoted thing – something set apart for God – Lev. 27.
Accursed thing - something that brings a curse upon people when they take it to themselves – Lev. 27:28ff; Mal. 3:9; Jos. 7; Hag. 1:2-11.
They are all generally under the principle of tithing – Deut. 12:17; 14:23, 28; & 26:2ff, 10, & 12.
The word tithe is sometimes used to substitute for first fruits – Deut. 12.
First fruit and firstlings can be described as the foundational or the first tithe.
You cannot practice the tithe as one-tenth without first doing this.
Look at Lev. 27:32 – The tithe as one-tenth is only after the firstling has been offered – Lev. 27:26.
It covers the first of All our Increase (covering both animal and plant produce even human increase) – Prov. 3:9; Num. 18.
It is the First Salary for the year (25-100% because we’re paid weekly; fortnightly or monthly).
It is also the First raise or increase in your salary (the 1st tithe).
The Importance of First fruits
The First connects us to God’s covenant or blessing of prosperity – Deut. 26; Lev. 27.
Hence guarantees an open heaven – Mal. 3:8-10.
The firstling was offered to God on the 8th day, same as the day of circumcision which connected the Jews to God’s covenant of blessing – Gen. 17:7-12; Lev. 12:3; Ex. 22:30.
It helps us to release our Faith in God’s financial system – Mal. 3:10.
God lays claim to everything the Bible describes as first – Lev. 27:26ff; Num. 18; Neh. 10:35.
It is the Key to putting God first in your life – Pr. 3:9; Mal. 1 & 3.
The First fruits like sowing and reaping is one of God’s principles for all ages – Gen. 8:22.
The Root (first) establishes the rest – Rom. 11:16.
No plant can survive without the root.
Whatever life is in the root covers the rest of the plant – Jn. 15:1ff
Once the root dies the plant dies – Mk. 11:20ff.
The root or firstfruit is sanctified at the altar of God and it sanctifies the rest of your finances or increase – Matt 23:17
The First is the prototype of the rest – Col. 2:15; 1 Jn. 4:17; 3:1-3.
This means that the first determines how the rest would be; it is the mold or the cast for the rest.
As Jesus is a type of the first fruit, the church is designed to be just like Him – Rom. 8:29ff.
By committing your first fruit to God you technically commit the rest of your finances to Him.
He can then rebuke the devourer on your behalf – Mal. 3:10ff.
It is the way you attend to God’s house – Hag. 1 & 2
We are commanded not to forsake the house of the Lord – Neh. 13:10ff.
Making sure God’s house never sees corruption or embarrassment – Ps. 16:10.
There may be meat in my house – Mal. 3:10.
Taking care of those who serve in the house (ministry staff) – Num. 18; Eze. 44:27ff.
It is the way you show that you fear God – Deut. 14:22.
Respecting God and honouring Him – Mal. 1:6; Prov. 3:9.
This will produce wisdom for living in your life – Prov. 9:10.
Remember that wisdom is better than money – Prov. 16:16.
Wisdom produces money – Prov. 8:18-21.
God’s Word Vs My Word
The favourable results God guarantees us are based on the INTEGRITY of His Word – Heb. 6:12ff.
God cannot lie – Num. 23:19.
He ALWAYS keeps the Word of His Covenant – Ps. 39:34.
His Word always comes to pass – Matt. 24:35; Is. 55:11;
Jer. 1:12; Eze. 12:25.
God’s Word is already settled in Heaven – Ps. 119:89.
It is MY WORD that settles it, here on Earth – Matt. 12:34ff; Prov. 18:20ff.
Don’t hinder God with your words – Mal. 3:13ff.
What you say will determine what God can do for you – Mk. 11:23;
Is. 45:11.
Remember the following people;
The Woman with the issue of blood – Mk. 5:25ff.
Blind Bartimaeus – Mk. 10:46ff.
The Canaanite woman – Matt. 15:21ff.
David as he faced Goliath – 1 Kg. 17.
People in Jesus’ hometown – Mk. 6:1ff.
Speak Words of Faith continually!
Until next time, please keep feeding your faith and starve your doubts to death. Stay Strong.
Copyright© 2008 by Rev. Dr. David Ibeleme
Victorious Faith Ministries, P.O.Box 4378, St. Ann’s, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.
Email: vfmwo@hotmail.com; Website: vfmwo.org
