FIRSTFRUITS: Another way of stealing from God's people!
We have talked so much about tithing and just as I thought this
matter of stealing from the Lord's people has been dealt with, here comes
another: FIRSTFRUITS !
I have already dealt with FIRSTFRUITS in my book, but not in the way it is
being presented in the Ghanaian media, and this is why I want to address
this issue for the benefit of those who are struggling to understand
firstfruits. Some teach that firstfruits is the same as tithing but that is
wrong. The two are not the same but are entirely different.
So the question is: What is firstfruits? As the name implies, firstfruits
are the fruits that ripen first ahead of the main harvest when the rest of
the crops all ripen together. This statute was instituted in Leviticus
23:9-14, 17. Now when you read your Bible, it is crystal clear that the
firstfruits they preach to you about is not the the biblical firstfruits at
all. Like the tithes, firstfruits has nothing to do with money; it has
nothing to do with cash, with Dollars, Pounds, Euros, Francs, Cedis or
Naira, but with the produce of the land ! While the tithes have to do with
a standard 10% of agricultural produce, firstfruits has no standards or
conditions as to when it is done, or in what manner it was offered. Just
like the tithes, firstfruits has been hijacked by some preachers to
manipulate believers to part with their money, and this is wrong, wicked,
unconscionable and unbiblical.
" Honour the Lord with your substance and with the firstfruits of all your
increase:So shall your barns be filled with plenty and your presses shall
burst out with new wine." Proverbs 3:9-10.
These verses were spoken by Solomon, and as believers, we are to honour the
Lord with the blessings He has bestowed on us in expanding His kingdom on
earth. We are to follow the same new covenant principle of giving freely
and cheerfully according to our abilities, according to how the Lord has
blessed us, without the coercion, the lies, the deceit, the manipulations,
the robbery, the stealing! 2 Corinthians 9:6-7.
Further, as believers, we have the freedom to give whichever way we want
but we shouldn't be under any pressure, intimidation or fear. Is your
pastor telling you to give your first salary of 2014 as firstfruits? Is he
or she telling you to give your first pay packet as firstfruits? That is
stealing, but you have to decide for yourself, whether you want to be
robbed in the name of God. Remember, the Lord Jesus wants us to be wise as
serpents, to use our common sense and not be stupid! Matthew 10:16
An important principle in giving is to consider our own obligations,
because the Lord requires that we take care of our own responsibilities
first. He says, " If anyone does not provide for his own, especially for
those of his own house, he has denied the faith and is worse than an
infidel." 1 Timothy 5:8. Would you rather give all your pay packet to some
"pastor" or "prophet" as firstfruits and neglect your rent, bills and other
obligations to family? You decide !
THE FIRST THINGS LAW
Going hand in hand with firstfruits is the first things law, which some
preachers misapply to steal from the people. What is the first things law?
The first things law, or the sanctification, is the setting apart of first
things, and we find it in Exodus 13:2; 12-16. Some misuse this Scripture,
saying that first things belong to God, so the first thing you do with your
money is to send their portion to them. Beloved, this is robbing and
stealing! This ordinance was established to remind the Israelites of how
the Lord protected their firstborn children and animals while he destroyed
those of the Egyptians, and it has nothing to do with money whatsoever !
DO FIRST THINGS REALLY MATTER?
It is not for us to determine why some things are important to the Lord and
why others are not. The sanctification of first things is important to the
Lord, but when it comes to the tithe on cattle, first things are not
important. Why? Only God knows! With regards to the tithe on cattle, it is
the TENTH that matters to the Lord and not the FIRST, whether or not the
animal is sick, deformed, good or bad or whatever. Leviticus 27:32-33. In
one instance, first things are so special but in another it is the tenth,
and not the first, so who are we to determine what is special to the Lord?
Now you know the truth so don't allow any unscrupulous preacher to deceive
you to part with your money in the name of "firstfruits" or "first things."
It is time for believers to wake up from their ignorance and stop being
deceived by so called "men of God," who are more interested in the money
than in the truth.
THE GREAT SIGNIFICANCE OF FIRSTFRUITS
Oh, how I love firstfruits! The Lord Jesus is our firstfruits. He is the
first to rise from the dead to become the firstfruits or firstborn of the
dead, ahead of the general resurrection of believers, and we know that
those who believe in Him will rise from their graves at the last trump, and
together with those who are alive at His return, we shall reign with Him.
How cool is that? Isn't that really cool? 1 Corinthians 15:20; Colossians
1:18; Acts 26:23; Revelations 1:5; 20:4-6.
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