FACTS CONCERNING OUR FIRSTFRUITS
Proverbs 3:7-10
As you study your Bible you’ll find that the book of Proverbs is in a section of the Bible knows as, “Wisdom Literature”. The other books that would be included in the section would be the book of Job, the Psalms, the book of Ecclesiastes as well as the Song of Solomon. The focus of these books is to instruct men in the ways of the Lord, in His service as well as in His worship. And that truth is very evident while studying the book of Proverbs.
The book of Proverbs is a collection of teachings from Solomon to his son, showing the young man how to live his life in a manner that was pleasing to he Lord. Such is the case here in our text this morning. In fact I believe that the advice that Solomon was giving his son in these verses, is advice that you and I should hear and heed being children of God today. STAND>>>>>>>
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Let me call your attention if I may once again to verses 9-10 of our text this morning, as these two verses will be used as the key text of the message that God has laid on my heart for this hour. Notice what the Bible says in Proverbs 3:10-11. Honor the LORD with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Now the reason that I included verses 7-8 in the reading of our entire text this morning, is because the same pattern that can be seen in our key text (9-10) can also be seen in verses 7-8. Look with me. In verse #7 I see a PETITION. Solomon is instruction his son to be not wise in his own eyes. Solomon in verse #7 is admonishing his son to fear the Lord and to depart from evil. The PETITION can be seen in verse #7. However the PROVISION can be seen in verse #8.
By writing verse #8, Solomon was actually saying to his son, “Son, here’s what’s going to happy if you’re not wise in your own eyes. Here’s what’s going to happen son if you fear the Lord and depart from evil.” The PROVISION can be seen in verse #8, Solomon writes, It shall be health to they navel, and marrow to thy bones”. It pays to serve the Lord wouldn’t you agree? Solomon surely did, and he passed the wisdom on to his son by writing verses 7-8. The PETITION in verse #7, but the PROVISION can be seen in verse #8.
Well the same thing can be said of verses 9-10. The same pattern that Solomon used to pen verses 7-8, is the same pattern that he used to pen verses 9-10. We see the PETION in verse #9, and then we see the PROVISION in verse #10. In verse #9 Solomon petitions his son to Honor the Lord with the first fruits of all of his increase. That’s the PETITION. But then in verse #10 Solomon let’s his son know why, he should honor the Lord with the first fruits of all of his increase. Here’s the PROVISION watch it now. So shall they barns be filled with plenty, and they presses shall burst out with new wine. I say again. It pays to serve the Lord! And in this case, to honor the Lord with the first fruits of all of one’s increase.
Because the Lord has promised us in His word that if we do, our barns will not only be filled with plenty, but our presses shall burst our with new wine. Now I dare say that isn’t a single person here that doesn’t long to have our barn filled with plenty. In fact I dare say that there isn’t a single individual in this building this morning that doesn’t want our presses to burst out with new wine. If you’re saved this morning, you ought to long for God’s best for you life! Sure, you want God’s blessing. You want God to bless you physically, spiritually and yes even financially, and there’s nothing wrong with desiring those blessings. However I’m afraid more times than not we want verse #10 without verse #9.
Remember now, the provision comes, as a result of heeding the petition. That is to say, we’ll never know what it’s like to have barns filled with plenty, neither will we know what it’s like for our presses to burst out with new wine, until we’ve first of all honored the Lord with our substance, and with the first fruits of all of our increase. So with that truth in mind, for the next few moments I was to preach on this subject,
THE FACTS CONCERNING OUR FIRST FRUITS.
Now I realize as I gave you the title of the message this morning, you immediately assumed that I was going to be preaching about tithing, or faithful stewardship in our giving. And I must say that these verses of Scripture can certainly apply to our stewardship, as far as our giving is concerned. (we’ll study awhile about that) However I believe that the roots of verses 9-10 go much deeper than just our stewardship when it comes to giving. I believe that they can apply to several other areas of our Christian life as well.
You see the term that Solomon uses in verse #9 “first fruits” actually has roots that extends as far back as Exodus chapter 23. In Exodus 23:19 God told the nation of Israel, “The first of the first fruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God. You see the first fruits were the choice examples of a crop harvested first, and dedicated to God. In accordance to the Mosaic law, individual Israelites brought to the house of the Lord, the first AND THE BEST of the fruits of the land as an offering to the Lord. The first fruits you see would foreshadow and pledge the ultimate offering of the whole harvest to the Lord.
In fact one of the seven feast days of Israel was called the feast of first fruits, and it consisted of three parts. The Israelites would pluck for instance some of the best barley from the field before the harvest time, then they would bring it before the Priest which in turn would take it into the Tabernacle and waive it before the Lord. That collection of some of the best barley would serve as a thanksgiving offering to the Lord. It in essence made this statement.
God you’re so good, and God you’re so great, before we take any of this barley for ourselves, we want to first of all give it to you. And Lord we’re not going to give you our second best. And Lord we’re not going to give you what’s left over. Oh no! We’re going to give you our first fruits! Only the best is good enough for our great and wonderful God!
Then of course the harvest time would come, and after the harvest the time of gleaning from the field. But before the harvest, and certainly before the gleaning. The best of the first fruits belonged to the Lord.
That’s why that in the book of James 1:18, James refers to the believer as being a kind of first fruits of God’s creatures. Paul in I Corinthians 15:20 spoke of Christ’s resurrection as being the first fruits of them that sleep. That is to say that Christ’s resurrection is an earnest or prototype of resurrections to come. (namely yours and ours) However there will be no resurrection that could ever compare to His resurrection, because His was the best! Without His resurrection we would have no hope of eternal life this morning. And therefore it was Christ’s resurrection that Paul said was the first fruits of them that sleep.
Therefore we can most certainly gather that the term first fruits that Solomon uses here in our text this morning signifies that which is best, and offered to God without reservation as a testimony of one’s dedication to him. I can guarantee you when the offering of first fruits was made. Israel didn’t go around looking for a part of the harvest that was second rater. Oh no friend. When they offered God their first fruits they were giving God no less than their very best.
That’s why Solomon petitioned his son in our key text to honor the Lord with his substance, and with the FIRSTFRTUITS of all his increase!
And friend I believe that’s good advice for us today! I don’t know about you but I’m persuaded to believe having read and studied these verses in depth, that God is pleased with no less than our very best! In fact I want to say this kindly but without apology this morning as well. I believe that God is sick and tired of His children’s offerings of second, third and even fourth best. I’m afraid more times than not, we eat the apple and give God the core! We work yes, but we don’t give it our all, we don’t do our very best! We study yes, but we don’t give it our all, we don’t do our best. We sing, we preach, we teach, we’re busy, and we should be, but more times than not we’re not giving it our very best! We’re not giving the Lord our first fruits.
I believe when it comes to our lives, God deserves the best part of our lives! When it comes to our service, I believe that the Bible teaches that God deserves our first fruits. I believe that God deserves the best!
IN fact I’m just persuaded to believe that God is honored by no less than His children’s very best! Therefore let me ask you this morning child of God. Have you honored the Lord with your first fruits? Or have you been content to give God what’s left over? I dare say that in a number this size there’s people right here in this building this morning that’s given your job your first fruits, and you’ve given God the left overs. There’s people in this building this morning you’ve given school your first fruits and you’ve given God the left overs. Some give pleasure their first fruits. Some give their first fruits to themselves, and have no time for God at all.
But what does the Bible say here in our text this morning. Honor the Lord with your first fruits. In fact the first fruits of all thine increase, then they barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine! There is a provision if you heed the petition friend. It pays to put God first! Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first>>>>>>>>>>>>
Let me give you three facts concerning our first fruits this morning.
1. IT’S A FACT THAT GOD DESIRES OUR FIRST FRUITS WHEN IT COMES TO OUR WORSHIP.
God desires our best when it comes to our worship in the house of God. And when I’m talking about worship. I’m talking about from the first congregational song to the final amen in the service! Worship doesn’t start with the special song or even the preaching, it starts from the very first note we sing on a Lord’s day morning to the final Amen!
That’s why we ought not take the congregational singing for granted! God is honored by that when we give it our all! Therefore let me ask you friend. Did you give God your first fruits during the congregational singing this morning? Or did you just sort of stand there, and look around, maybe talk to your neighbor a little bit. Where were you, and what were you doing this morning when we were singing the congregational songs. Did you give God your first fruits?
Psalms 13:6 I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
Psalms 21:13, “Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.
Psalms 30:4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
Do you do that this morning during the congregational singing? Did you give God your first fruits or did you have other things on your mind that were more important? It’s a fact friend God desires our first fruits when it comes to our worship.
Did you honor the Lord with your first fruits when it came time to give this morning? Remember we, according to verse #9 are to honor the Lord with our substance, and with the first fruits of all of our increase! Have you done that this morning. Have you put God first in your giving? It’s as much a part of worship as anything that we’ll do here today! Have you give God your first fruits. That tithe isn’t yours child of God, according to the Bible it belongs to the Lord! Have you honored the Lord with the first fruits of your giving, or have you said, “Well I’m going to pay the electric bill and the car payment and then if I have any left over I’ll try to tithe!
Oh I’ve got to pay the cable bill and the dish payment (necessities of life first) THEN if I have any left over I’ll take care of my tithe. My soul what a shame and disgrace! I’ll tell you what I’d do friend. I’d take the cable out and I’d take the dish out, in fact I’d get rid of a lot of things before I’d rob God of His tithe! You ought to give God your first fruits, when it comes to your giving!
I’m just trying to help you this morning. The Bible teaches that you ought to honor the Lord with the first fruits of your increase. Give God what’s His first, and God will bless you for it! Isn’t that what He said in verse #10? God said put me first, give me what’s mine first. Give me your very best and I’ll see that your Barns be filled with plenty, and I’ll see that your presses burst out with new wine! I don’t know about you, but I’m just going to believe God when it comes to the first fruits of my giving.
I’m talking about giving God our first fruits when it comes to worship. Let me ask the choir this morning. Choir, did you give it you all? Did you do your very best? Or did you just fill a place? God is honored by our first fruits when it comes to worship. Special singing, the preaching of the Word of God. I want you to know that I want to be a better preacher! I’m striving to be a better preacher! I want to be a better singer. Because I never want it to be said of Scott Caudill that he was content to give God second best. If it’s possible to do better, I want to do better for my heavenly Father! God deserves our best, God is honored by our best! And when it comes to our worship, it’s a fact friend God is worthy of our best!
Are you giving God your first fruits when it comes to worship? Let me give you another fact concerning our first fruits this morning.
2. IT’S A FACT THAT GOD DESIRES OUR FIRST FRUITS WHEN IT COMES TO OUR WORKING FOR HIM.
What we do for God ought to be our very best! If you’re a soul winner (everyone of us ought to be soul winners) then you ought to be the very best soul winner you possibly can be for the honor and the glory of God! If you teach a SS Class (I’m awful hard on SS teachers) I guess you’re right, because the SS teachers around here play a major role in our church moving forward for the glory of God. If SS grows the every other area of the church will grow as well. That’s why every SS teacher in this building this morning ought to strive to be the very best that you can be for the glory of God!
Study! Pray! And when you get tired of studying and praying, study and pray some more! Be the very best SS teacher that you possibly can be for the honor and the glory of God! The same thing applies to every layman in here this morning. Every prayer warrior. Every special singer. If you’re going to do something for God do it with all of your heart, and give God your first fruits when it comes to working for Him! Don’t ever be content to give God your left overs!
I can tell you this right now. Someone is going to miss heaven unless you give God the first fruits of your working for Him! Someone is going to die and go to hell for all of eternity unless you give God the first fruits of your working for Him! How can you give God what’s left over when God gave His first fruits for you friend. God gave His Son for you! How can you give God your second, third and even fourth best when He’s given nothing less than His very best for you? God desires our first fruits when it comes to our working for Him!
Colossians 3:23 is one of the most challenging verses in all of the Bible. The Lord through the pen of the apostle Paul said, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” You know what that means. In layman’s terms that means, whatever you do for the Lord do it with all of your heart!
Prevailing in the work of the Lord ought to mean more to you child of God than a promotion at work. Prevailing in the work of the Lord ought to mean more to you child of God than being the MVP on your basketball or baseball team. God isn’t honored with your left overs, God is honored by your first fruits.
God desires our first fruits when it comes to our worship. God desires our first fruits when it comes to our working for Him.
3. GOD DESIRES OUR FIRST FRUITS WHEN IT COMES TO OUR WITNESSING FOR HIM.
And I’m not just talking about what we say even though that is very important. I’m talking about the life that we live. I don’t know about you but I see a lot of Christians today that aren’t willing to go the extra mile for God when it comes to being a witness for Christ. Remember God is honored by our first fruits. Not our left overs, but our first fruits! The best that we possibly can give God.
I’ll tell you what the world is saying to us as Christians today even though you might not realize it. They’re saying SHOW ME A SERMON. They’re not saying preach me a sermon, they’re saying show me a sermon! And friend I’m afraid because many Christians today are content to give God their left overs instead of their first fruits, multitudes of people are going to die and go to hell, because they saw no sermon! They might have heard it yes, but they never saw it!
