Discovering God’s Purpose of Gratefulness by Relating with Him through the Lord’s Feast of Firstfruits

TRUTH AND PURPOSE

God appointed the Feast of Firstfruits in the Bible to foster a way to express gratefulness towards God. So we learn the value of His grace by giving back to God—or even giving forward to others—a portion of the first fruits of our labors.

It also serves to remind us of our dependence on God and need to trust Him for more. In addition, it helps us practice good stewardship and faithfulness. Furthermore, it suppresses tendencies to hoard out of greed, lust or fear of lack.

RELEVANCE

David truly had a heart of gratefulness. He acknowledged God as sovereign, and therefore, His source and sufficiency. In Psalm 24, he declares, “The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness.” (Psalm 24:1)

So the Feast of Firstfruits gives us an opportunity to appreciate God’s love and dedicate ourselves to focusing on preparing our hearts and minds to receive new things of God. Some of these new things include new opportunities and even insights God would offer us.

Peter further affirmed that God has given to us “everything we need for life and godliness, through our knowing the One who called us to his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3 JNT)  For this reason, the Lord taught about the blessings of giving to others from a heart of gratefulness; and also in faith, believing that God would multiply whatever you give.

Give, and you will receive gifts — the full measure, compacted, shaken together and overflowing, will be put right in your lap. For the measure with which you measure out will be used to measure back to you! (Luke 6:38 JNT)

Giving to others truly prepares the heart to receive back from God. Out of gratefulness and in faith, we, therefore, dedicate a portion of the first fruits of what God has given to us back to Him; not in mere duty or obligation, but in love.

REFLECT AND RELATE

In what ways do you freely give back to God a portion of the first fruits of what He has given to you?

What are some ways you can bless others as God blesses you?

How do you demonstrate your trust in God’s provision for the future?

REFERENCES

Matthew 19:21; 25:37; Luke 3:11; Acts 20:35

NEXT STEPS

Vertical movement: As you express gratefulness towards God, the Holy Spirit draws you deeper. As a result, you come to more appreciate the grace and value of His resurrection; and the reality of its potential fruit-bearing in your life.

Horizontal movement: The more you express gratefulness towards God, the more you are positioned to see and experience the fullness of His harvest and covenant blessings.

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