Word of the Week - First Fruits
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the First fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” - Revelation 21:5
In follow up to my “Word of the Week” from last week on “Everything New in 2025” see below for reference, I want to share what I believe to be one of the biggest opportunities we have followers of Christ in the new year! Putting God First – “First Fruits”
I love the principle of First Fruits because it is so clear and easy to understand. There are many things about God and our walk of faith that are mystical, and often times hard to understand and know how to apply to day-to-day life.
The principal of First Fruits is very straightforward, God simply wants to be the priority in our lives. He desires us to honor Him by giving Him our First and best. He loves us so much that He is jealous for our love and attention and does not want to compete for the top position in our lives. He will not settle for second. This concept is emphasized throughout scripture beginning with the 1st Commandment that states “You shall have no other gods before me”, He simply wants us to put Him First above all things. With divine order comes diving blessing, this is God’s economy. So other than His will for us, why should we put God first in our lives and make Him our First Fruits?
Because He is our Creator and the God of the universe, not to mention our eternal Savior, our Provider, our Healer, our Righteousness, our Victory…..Based on this reality, He truly deserves our “first and best” and to be revered and honored for who He really is and the authority and power He possesses. I personally love this principal of First Fruits because it is a tangible way to love and honor the Lord. This principal not only pertains to our money/resources, which often reflects the truth of our heart towards God, but to every aspect of our lives, He desires the first in every aspect of our lives including: our time, our thoughts, and our pursuits. He wants to be the first in our day, week, month, and year. For God, order is the priority over quality and quantity. There is amazing power, both blessings and protection, in the simple daily act of placing God First.
Because there is truly a blessing in putting God First (First Fruits). I started truly walking out the principle of First Fruits about 20 years ago when Bruce Johnston (Founder of JH Ranch) personally challenged me in this area. It has been life changing for me and my family!! Up until that time, God was at the top of my list but not always “First”. I can honestly say that since I began practicing “First Fruits” by prioritizing God as the “First” priority in my life, I have truly lived in abundance in most every area of my life to include my finances, family, ministry, business, and relationships. It does not mean that everything has been perfect, and I don’t have problems or challenges, but my barns are overflowing and I am rich in God, relationships and resources that give me the capacity to work through and overcome the big challenges in my life.
Callenge/Reflection: How are you putting God First in your life? Aer you prioritizing Jesus by making Him the first focus of your time, energy, giving, thoughts etc? One of the best ways to do this is evaluate time (day, week, year), your finances/giving, your energy, your relationships etc. and honestly assess if you are giving your first and best to Jesus!!
As we begin 2025, I encourage you to test the Lord in the principal of First Fruits. Put the Lord First and watch your time and resources multiply and overflow. “Seek “First” the Kingdom and His righteousness and just see what all things will be added unto you” in this New Year! Matthew 6:33.
Check out this short but powerful video by actor Denzel Washington on “Putting God First” https://youtu.be/8xPftFQNGbc?si=Wnc5POMMor9Xr9AR
Our Salvation is a free gift available to everyone who is willing to repent and receive the gift, but God’s blessings while here on earth typically come with a price to receive the promise. If you abide, seek, honor….you will receive the abundant blessings!!!!
I pray God’s abundant blessings over you, your family, and your business in 2025.