*IS FIRSTFRUIT OFFERING FOR TODAY?* *(4 THINGS YOU MUST UNDERSTAND ABOUT FIRSTFRUIT OFFERING)* — Segun Olumide Tuesday 16th January, 2024 There are 3 schools of thought on firstfruit offering. The first school of thought believes it's an Old Testament practice that's not relevant today. The second school of thought affirms that it's compulsory today, and failure to do so is a sin. The third school of thought holds the belief that it's relevant today, but should be practised according to revelation of the Scripture and the leading of the Spirit. Personally, I embrace the third school of thought. *(1) IT BEGAN BEFORE THE LAW, WAS CONSOLIDATED UNDER THE LAW, AND CONTINUES AFTER THE LAW.* *BEFORE THE LAW* Gen.4.2-5 NLT *2 Later she gave birth to a second son and named him Abel. When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain was a farmer. 3 At harvesttime Cain brought to the LORD a gift of his farm produce, 4 while Abel brought several choice lambs from the best of his flock. the LORD accepted abel and his offering* Genesis 4:2-5 KJV *And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. [3] And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. [4] And Abel, he also brought of the FIRSTLINGS (firstfruit) of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: [5] But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.* Let's look at verse 4 above in another version: Gen.4.4 NIV *But Abel brought fat portions from some of the FIRSTBORN of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,* *UNDER THE LAW* Exodus 23:19 KJV *The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.* Exodus 34:26 KJV *The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring unto the house of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.* *AFTER THE LAW* There is no mention of firstfruit offering in the New Testament. We know tithe is mentioned in the New Testament. Beyond that, we know that some in the early Church were divinely prompted to giving sacrificially. Acts.2.45 AMP *And they sold their possessions (both their landed property and their movable goods) and distributed the price among all, according as any had need.* Acts.4.34-37 AMP *34 Nor was there a destitute or needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses proceeded to sell them, and one by one they brought (gave back) the amount received from the sales 35 - And laid it at the feet of the apostles (special messengers). Then distribution was made according as anyone had need. 36 - Now Joseph, a Levite and native of Cyprus who was surnamed Barnabas by the apostles, which interpreted means Son of Encouragement, 37 - Sold a field which belonged to him and brought the sum of money and laid it at the feet of the apostles.* What they gave outweighed the firstfruit. They gave out their investments. The apostles didn't announce that they should do that, but the Holy Spirit moved them to do so. Similarly, the Holy Spirit moves people today to give firstfruit offering or at times to give out their investments to God! Romans 8:14-15 KJV *For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. [15] For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.* *(2) IT'S SIGN OF HONOURING GOD.* Prov.3.9 NLT *HONOR the LORD with your wealth and WITH THE BEST PART OF EVERYTHING YOUR LAND PRODUCES.* Proverbs 3:9 KJV *HONOUR the Lord with thy substance, and WITH THE FIRSTFRUITS OF ALL THINE INCREASE:* Abel honoured God with the best part of his firstfruit and God honoured him in return. But, Cain didn't do that; so God didn't honour him in return. Gen 4:3-5 KJV [3] And in process of time it came to pass, that CAIN brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. [4] And ABEL, he also brought of the FIRSTLINGS (firstfruit) of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had RESPECT unto Abel and to his offering: [5] But unto Cain and to his offering he had NOT RESPECT. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.* Hebrews 11:4 KJV *BY FAITH ABEL OFFERED UNTO GOD A MORE EXCELLENT SACRIFICE THAN CAIN, BY WHICH HE OBTAINED WITNESS THAT HE WAS RIGHTEOUS, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.* It seems Abel gave God the best he had while Cain gave Him the worst (or not the the best) he had. Always remember this: 1 Samuel 2:30 KJV *... but now the Lord saith, ... FOR THEM THAT HONOUR ME I WILL HONOUR, AND THEY THAT DESPISE ME SHALL BE LIGHTLY ESTEEMED.* *(3) IT REQUIRES THE BEST OF YOUR FIRSTFRUIT, NOT ALL YOUR FIRSTFRUIT.* *SOLOMON* Prov.3.9 NLT *Honor the LORD with your wealth and with THE BEST PART OF EVERYTHING YOUR LAND PRODUCES.* *ABEL* Gen.4.2-5 NLT *2 Later she gave birth to a second son and named him Abel. When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain was a farmer. 3 At harvesttime Cain brought to the LORD a gift of his farm produce, 4 while Abel brought SEVERAL CHOICE LAMBS FROM THE BEST OF HIS FLOCK. THE LORD ACCEPTED ABEL AND HIS OFFERING, 5 BUT HE DID NOT ACCEPT CAIN AND HIS OFFERING. This made Cain very angry and dejected.* Let's look at verse 4 in some other versions: Gen.4.4 NIV *But Abel brought FAT PORTIONS FROM SOME OF THE FIRSTBORN OF HIS FLOCK. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,* Gen.4.4 AMP *And Abel brought OF THE FIRSTBORN OF HIS FLOCK AND OF THE FAT PORTIONS. And the Lord had respect and regard for Abel and for his offering,* Genesis 4:4 KJV *And Abel, he also brought OF THE FIRSTLINGS OF HIS FLOCK AND OF THE FAT THEREOF. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:* *MOSES* Exodus 23:19 KJV *The FIRST OF THE FIRSTFRUITS of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.* Exod.23.19 NIV *"Bring the BEST OF THE FIRSTFRUITS of your soil to the house of the LORD your God. "Do not cook a young goat in its mother's milk.* Exodus 34:26 KJV *The FIRST OF THE FIRSTFRUITS of thy land thou shalt bring unto the house of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.* Exod.34.26 NIV *"Bring the BEST OF THE FIRSTFRUITS of your soil to the house of the LORD your God. "Do not cook a young goat in its mother's milk."* *EZEKIEL* Ezekiel 44:30 KJV *And the FIRST OF ALL THE FIRSTFRUITS OF ALL THINGS, and every oblation of all, of every sort of your oblations, shall be the priest's: ye shall also give unto the priest the first of your dough, that he may cause the blessing to rest in thine house.* Ezek.44.30 NIV *The BEST OF ALL THE FIRSTFRUITS and of all your special gifts will belong to the priests. You are to give them the first portion of your ground meal so that a blessing may rest on your household.* Therefore, telling people to bring all their firstfruit (all their salary, all their commission in January or a particular month) is a result of ignorance, misinterpretation of the Scripture or greed! But, occasionally, God may lead individuals to give all, but it must neither be made compulsory nor pressurized by someone else. 2 Cor.9.7 NLT *You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. DON'T GIVE RELUCTANTLY OR IN RESPONSE TO PRESSURE. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully.* 2 Cor.9.7 NIV *Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, NOT RELUCTANTLY OR UNDER COMPULSION, for God loves a cheerful giver.* 2 Cor.9.7 AMP *Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, NOT RELUCTANTLY OR SORROWFULLY OR UNDER COMPULSION, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving].* 2 Corinthians 9:7 BBE *Let every man do after the purpose of his heart; NOT GIVING WITH GRIEF, OR BY FORCE: for God takes pleasure in a ready giver.* 2 Corinthians 9:7 GNT *You should each give, then, as you have decided, NOT WITH REGRET OR OUT OF A SENSE OF DUTY; for God loves the one who gives gladly.* 2 Corinthians 9:7 NCV *Each of you should give as you have decided in your heart to give. YOU SHOULD NOT BE SAD WHEN YOU GIVE, AND YOU SHOULD NOT GIVE BECAUSE YOU FEEL FORCED TO GIVE. God loves the person who gives happily.* 2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV *Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; NOT GRUDGINGLY, OR OF NECESSITY: for God loveth a cheerful giver.* 2 Cor.9.7 MSG *I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. THAT WILL PROTECT YOU AGAINST SOB STORIES AND ARM-TWISTING. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.* *(4). IT BRINGS OVERFLOWING BLESSING.* Prov.3.9 NLT *9. HONOR THE LORD with your wealth and WITH THE BEST PART OF EVERYTHING YOUR LAND PRODUCES.10 Then he will FILL your barns with grain, and your vats will OVERFLOW with the finest wine.* Prayer: Father in Jesus' name, grant your people wisdom, knowledge and understanding about firstfruit offering in a way that will profit your kingdom without manipulating and cheating one another, and without causing unnecessary suffering for your people. Contact: New Apostolic Movement (NAM), Tel: +2347032662663 (WhatsApp/Call/SMS) *Pls kindly share with others*

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