Arise In Glory
Gratefulness

Discovering God’s Purposes by Relating with Him through the Lord’s Appointed Times of First-Fruits


TRUTH AND PURPOSE

The time of First-Fruits was prescribed to foster a way to express gratitude for God’s grace by giving back to God—or giving forward to others—a portion of the first fruits of our labors. It serves to remind us of our dependence on God and need to trust Him for more. It also helps us practice good stewardship and faithfulness, and suppress 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 NKJV)

First-Fruits gives us an opportunity to dedicate ourselves to focusing on preparing our hearts and minds to receive new things of God; new opportunities and even insights God would offer us this season. .

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 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.      

 

REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE

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

 
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Unless otherwise specified, all Scripture references are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scriptures marked JNT taken from the Jewish New Testament. Copyright © 1979 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. Scriptures marked NLT are taken from New Living Translation Holy Bible, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.